Smart Home Technologies that Help Seniors
As you know, all the technologies created are implemented for purposes and plans. Still, sometimes after implementation, we realize a wide range of applications and uses they can have. It is safe to say that perhaps when the first ideas of smart home construction came to mind, no one would have thought that this technology would be so helpful in elder care.
On the other hand, many who live in a nursing home feel abandoned by their children and relatives. Of course, the fault is not in them or the children. It is a cold and calculating world, after all.
In today’s world, we have to hold and spend money to love and take care of our loved ones, and we have to work long hours to earn that money. After a while, an imbalance would occur, and there is no time left to take care of our loved ones even if we want to.
Smart Homes Advantage for the Elderly
Advances in smart homes have made our houses safer and automated many daily tasks. It is good to know that these gadgets and tools provide seniors with independence and create various freedoms for them.
One of the most prominent benefits of a smart home is that instead of doing things manually, they can automatically be done thanks to technology. This advantage works like a miracle for the elderly or those who may fall to the ground while walking or cannot properly move.
Seniors can turn the lights on or off, open or close the doors, adjust the room temperature just by touching the phone or tablet screen without moving.
This article will delve into some compelling technologies designed for smart homes to help the elderly experience a better life quality.
Contents
Unique Phones for Seniors
Various models are specially designed for the elderly. These phones have louder voices, and also, the digits and words shown on the screen are bigger so that the elderly would have an easier job hearing the sound and reading the words.
Smart Doorbells
The elderly may not be able to walk easily and go to the door to check who is knocking sometimes. The new systems of smart doorbells turn the TV screen on when someone knocks and shows the person’s live picture at the door. Smart Doorbells enable them to use the TV’s remote control to open the door. Smart doorbells provide an additional layer of security by allowing homeowners to monitor who is at the door, even when they are not home. They often come with motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio that can help deter potential intruders. Moreover, smart doorbells can be monitored remotely using a smartphone or tablet, allowing homeowners to monitor their property from anywhere; this can be especially useful for those who travel frequently or have multiple properties to manage.
PERS System
By installing PERS, the family will be at ease, and the elderly can easily access them or friends in an emergency. Older models with a pendant with a large button attached to a telephone line have begun to be replaced by more advanced models with features such as automatic crash detection and internet connection.
Smoke Detector
Installing an intelligent smoke detection system increases safety in the home, which gives you an early fire alarm.
Intelligent Leak Detection
Water can leak from many sources and pipes or household appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, etc. When a water leak alarm system is installed in your home, the water leak’s main source will be turned off, and the system will alert you.
Intelligent Lighting
With age, the eye receives less light from the environment, and when an older adult walks from one room to another, it may take a minute for their eyes to adjust to the ambient light, which is enough to fall. Automatic or remote controlling of the lights significantly reduces the risk of falling and the loved ones’ accidental death.
This way, the lights will not stay on for a few hours at a time, and your monthly electricity bill will be reduced.
ADL System
ADL system enables the family members to remotely monitor all vital information of the elderly, such as heart rate, blood pressure, etc. This system has an alarming function that informs you about critical conditions.
Smart IP Cameras
Smart cameras usually connect to the internet using your home Wi-Fi. This means seniors can watch a live camera feed, receive alerts when they are out and about, and sometimes record footage.
Wearable Devices
Most people think of wearable devices as tools for the younger generations. And there are groups of people who consider wearable devices as fashion items. However, it should be noted that these devices are among the necessities for old age. The elderly can use them to track their movements, and they could provide them with the motivation to increase their physical activity to have a healthy life.
Music Systems
Relaxation and peace of mind are vital for seniors’ health. Although expensive, music systems can wake the elderly up with a soothing sound and play different tunes based on their mood. Some advanced music systems can be programmed to broadcast the news from their favourite radio stations at specific times. If you want to know more about it, read this article, “The Role of Music in the Health of Seniors.”
Blood Glucose Monitoring
One of the most well-known smart devices for smart homes of the elderly is the glucose meter. These meters can be synced with apps to track and record any changes in blood glucose levels.
Smart Locks
Different types of smart locks operate by setting a password, your fingerprint, or even using a card. You no longer need to use a key. So theft and burglary will be limited because the smart locks assure you that you can relax in your home with peace of mind and not worry about theft at home or work. Smart locks are much easier to use than older locks.
Automated Thermostats
Seniors are prone to catch a cold due to sudden temperature changes. Using automated thermostats enables them to conveniently sit at their chair and change the house’s temperature. These systems can also change the temperature automatically based on the surrounding temperature. They no longer need to get out of their bed during the night to adjust the temperature.
Smart Ovens
Fire is one of the dangers that threaten the houses in which the elderly reside. You can add various tools to your existing oven to make them smart. There are also smart ovens that can automatically cook the food or turn it off if it is forgotten.
Reminders
We all forget various things in our daily life, but the frequency increases as we grow older. There are smart reminders that can remind multiple items, such as taking the medications or appointments. The best feature of the existing smart reminders available in the market is that they can run in any language, so the elderly can easily use them in their everyday life.
Smart TV
Before the internet, television broadcasts were the only options. Smart TVs enable the elderly to entertain themselves with their favourite programs through Netflix or YouTube . They can find almost anything their heart desires in those apps.
Final Words
A smart home is the best solution for the elderly to live a quality life during the later years. Smart homes can cater to the needs of seniors and create a safe and peaceful environment for them to relax and enjoy life.
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I think smart technology is amazing for our lives, especially for seniors. because we can do everything we like without help. also, we need to learn technology, so it’s a good tactic to stay away from forgetting and Alzheimer’s. I suggest teaching new technologies to seniors.
Hi Mark. My grandfather used to tell me, “I feel like I’ve been a burden for you all ever since I turned 70.” I want to say that, while using tech to take care of your personal tasks on your own is great, I also think that being a human is not about being helpful to people around us, and no one should also treat older people like they’re some worn-out tool either. That aside, I believe anything that can help us, including seniors, is, in any way is a welcome thing. And teaching new tech to older adults is an excellent way of not labelling them with stereotypes such as “old people can’t adapt to new technology or change.”
How can I get more information about ADL systems? are they safe?
By googling! Nowadays you can get a wealth of information on the Net. ADLS stands for “activities of daily life.” ADLs are essential tasks a person must do on their own to live independently. Health issues and ageing may make it challenging for seniors to accomplish specific self-care tasks critical to keeping them healthy and safe. They seem safe, but still, you should search more and consult with specialists or those who are using them.
I’ve been taking care of my father for years now. We recently bought a new TV that lets him watch Netflix and YouTube. I can say how much he loves it just by the look on his face. With these Smart TVs, he can watch anything he wants by pressing one button. I think it’s the best thing to get a retiree at home.
Look into Wyze products; the starter kit is around $100 at Home Depot. It is equipped with a camera, light bulbs, plugs, a motion sensor, and two door sensors. You can control everything remotely from your phone along with their phones.
Sometimes I feel we are being a bit unfair to them. If they can turn on the light, use the toilet, listen to the radio, watch TV, answer a telephone or drive a car, then they are using many new technologies, aren’t they? What is ordinary and simple to us might be uncomfortable for them to use. It also becomes harder to learn new stuff as you get older. This is partly because the brain isn’t quite as sharp as it used to be. Please give them a reason to want something new.
With a bit of patience, it’s okay to teach them new technology as much as needed. Although they’re slow learners, they learn, eventually.
Due to the pandemic, the whole family was not able to see the granny. So, we bought her a smartphone so that she could see us through video calls. At first, she resisted because she thought she could not learn how to work with it. But now, she can not live without it. It’s funny, but she even opened an IG account.
I am a senior, and I love technology and how it can improve my life in many ways. My family lives overseas, and I can contact them whenever I want. I could not live without them. It is never too late to learn new things, especially technology. Most of my senior friends a very tech-savvy. Most seniors love and can learn new technology. Seniors do not pay much attention to the phone’s features; they care that they can easily use the phone when they need it.
It’s so cool to enjoy smart home technologies cause it makes everything easier to manage at home and makes a more comfortable environment for us, especially for seniors. Actually, it’s more useful and necessary for seniors to benefit from smart home technologies. Still, they have to be taught rightfully before using and setting these techs up.
I simply can not imagine my life without my smart doorbell, now you might think I’m being a bit dramatic, but I have had it set to send me a motion alert when someone enters my yard and, of course, ring my phone if someone presses the ringer. It works perfectly.
So far, it’s allowed me to avoid eight visits from commercial and religious petitioners since I knew who was at my door *before* they knocked.
Its motion detection sensor will catch the motions of every person, even at night.
Try it once; you’ll never go back.