As people get older, taking care of routine tasks often gets harder. Fortunately, new technologies can make life simpler for seniors and allow them to stay independent longer. According to AARP, more than 75 percent of individuals over 50 want to stay in their homes and avoid nursing homes or assisted living. Smart home tech makes achieving that goal much easier. Here are some of the best home technologies for seniors.
1. Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat connects to motion sensors or security cameras to learn your routine over time. While people are asleep or away from home, it turns down the heater or air conditioner to save energy. Then, it makes the temperature more comfortable before you wake up or come home. These inexpensive devices will pay for themselves through power savings, and many are voice-activated or remote-controlled.
Smart thermostats can also give you regular maintenance reminders and plenty of details about your home’s indoor air quality and power use. They’re easy to operate, and you can change the settings from anywhere with your computer or smartphone. You can also use a smart thermostat’s sensors to make sure that relatives are following their normal routines and check on them without disturbing them.
2. Security Cameras
Wi-Fi security cameras are more versatile and affordable than ever. A person with limited mobility can use a doorbell camera to answer a door through a smartphone. These devices usually have microphones and speakers, so you can have conversations with the people who come to your door without meeting them in person. They’re ideal for protecting those with compromised immune systems from COVID-19 by maximizing social distancing.
Some have multiple cameras, making checking on the back and front yard from anywhere easy. Relatives get notifications every time someone comes to the door or leaves, so they can look in on their family members if they notice any unusual behavior. You can even choose an infrared camera that lets you see in the dark or a model that will deter intruders with motion-triggered LED lights and a siren that’s controllable from anywhere.
Indoor cameras are available as well, and you can use them to monitor activities in areas like the kitchen or the living room. Many models have microphones and speakers, making checking on your relatives and reminding them to take medication or do other tasks simpler. They can also help your loved one find their way and turn off automatically when they’re not needed.
3. Smart Speakers
Smart speakers, also called virtual assistants, use artificial intelligence and voice recognition to answer questions, remind people about appointments, make phone calls, and control lights, cameras, and other devices. Seniors can use smart speakers to check the local weather forecast, play music, and more. They react to simple commands, and setup is quick and easy.
If someone falls or has another health issue, they can use a smart speaker to call for help. Interacting with a virtual assistant can also help reduce loneliness, especially since many seniors are avoiding most in-person interactions because of COVID-19. These devices can even take care of tasks like ordering groceries online.
A smart thermostat, a home security camera, and a smart speaker can help seniors stay independent longer while giving their relatives peace of mind. These technologies are easy to install and use.
