According to recent research by the Pew Institute, 42% of adults aged 65 and over own smartphones — up from just 18% in 2013. Two-thirds of seniors use the Internet each day, and overall adoption of the latest in tech gadgets is rapidly skyrocketing among the more than 45 million seniors across the nation.
When you consider these facts, then add in the rising costs of assisted living facilities, it points to a real opportunity to integrate smart tech devices into your home to raise your standard of living and save money. Let’s look at what smart home technology is and several smart ways to integrate tech into your home to maximize your lifestyle.
What is Smart Home Technology?
Smart homes incorporate technology, like automated lights, heat and entertainment, that are connected to the internet and can work together. For example, using a home assistant like an Amazon Echo allows you to trigger a home security system, turn off the lights, and adjust the air conditioner. Smart home technology can help you live more comfortably by making controls streamlined and customized to your lifestyle.
Smart Technologies for Seniors
Below are some helpful smart home devices for seniors:
Automated thermostats and lights: These intelligent smart technologies are popular these days and offer numerous benefits. Automated lights can be turned on and off with a smartphone or whole-home device like Amazon Echo or Google Home.
You can program your smart lights to turn on when you get home, turn off at a certain hour, and even turn on or off when you are away, making your home safer and less obvious to intruders. An automated thermostat saves money by intelligently managing your home’s temperature and eliminating the need to get out of bed to crank the heat in the winter or turn on the A/C in the summer.
Smart locks: Smart locks are a game changer for seniors on the go. Today’s modern smart locks allow you to use a traditional key, a numeric code, or — best of all — a thumbprint to open the door. If you lose your key, you can still access your home. Need to allow a contractor or repair person into the home? Simply provide them with a single-use code that disables itself after the job is done. The thumbprint feature found on many smart lock systems is an exceptional benefit for seniors, as you’ll always have a fingerprint ready to use. This smart house device is a favorite for its convenience and security.
Motion alert systems: Family members of seniors often worry about the ability to detect and monitor the overall health and wellness of their loved ones. Motion alert systems integrate with a host of other smart home devices, including medicine cabinets, pill dispensers, and more. They can then alert a caregiver of whether or not the person is moving around the house, taking their medication, or has left the home.
Smart pillboxes: Many of us follow strict medication regimens and making sure you take your meds accurately and on-time can seem overwhelming. Luckily, there are smart pillboxes that help you manage your daily routine. Tricella is a leading name in smart pillboxes, and their integrated units pair with virtually any smartphone, enabling real-time medication monitoring and dispensing. Family members can check for missed doses and keep an eye on the history log from any connected device.
Today’s seniors have access to a wide range of smart technologies that can help promote a safe and comfortable lifestyle. From interior motion detectors to smart thermostats and intelligent pillboxes, smart home technology can help seniors and their committed caregivers live fuller, more independent lives.
