Remember The Clapper that started in the mid-90’s? You clapped your hands and anything plugged into the device turned on or off. No doubt this was the start of the Smart Home idea. But Smart Homes are so much more than The Clapper. Read on to learn how the Smart Home idea can keep seniors living independent longer and you don’t have to be tech savvy!
Just like The Clapper, the use of technology to improve life is not new. Electricity, cars, and the Internet are a few inventions that improved our lifestyles over the years. But modern technology is so much more. For a senior who prefers to age-in-place, Smart Home technology can keep you independent longer.
Smart Home technology moves beyond alarms. Of course security, smoke, and carbon monoxide alarms are important. But audio alarms have limits for seniors who commonly experience hearing loss. This is especially true for aging men who commonly lose the ability to hear high pitch sounds. Smart Home technology is much more advanced.
Uses of Smart Home Technology
There are many uses of Smart Home Technology for independent senior living including:
Activities of Daily Living. Internal systems can check a resident for activities of daily living including movement and sleep
Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS). PERS are voice activated systems to alert a call center in case of an emergency such as a fall.
Video Monitoring. Outside video monitoring may include a camera at entrances to your home to detect unwanted visitors. Inside video monitoring can help caregivers monitor seniors from another room or while away.
Motion Sensors. Motion sensors are used to prevent wandering of seniors with cognitive impairment.
Lighting Control. Lighting control helps prevent falls and assists seniors with visual impairments.
Temperature Control. Temperature control helps seniors stay comfortable.
Social and Entertainment. Social and entertainment technology helps keep seniors connected to others.
Risks of Smart Home Technology
While Smart Home technology has many potential uses, there are also risks involved including:
Hacking. The technology is attached to an Internet connection which can be vulnerable to hackers.
Outages. The technology relies on electricity which may be affected during weather and other outages.
Connection. The Internet connection must support all systems.
Cost. Technology and the Internet connection may be expensive, depending on the type and volume of systems used.
Compliance. The wearable technology must be used. If the senior removes the device or is not compliant with the system, the technology is useless.
Underdeveloped Technology.Many systems in a Smart Home rely on integration which is currently underdeveloped.
Conclusion
While we’ve come a long way from The Clapper, more work is needed for fully integrated Smart Home technology. However, Smart Home technology is promising, especially to help seniors stay independent longer and age-in-place. No doubt with the volume of seniors retiring every day, fully integrated Smart Home technology will arrive soon!
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Remember The Clapper that started in the mid-90’s? You clapped your hands and anything plugged into the device turned on or off. No doubt this was the start of the Smart Home idea. But Smart Homes are so much more than The Clapper. Read on to learn how the Smart Home idea can keep seniors living independent longer and you don’t have to be tech savvy!
Smart Home technology moves beyond alarms. Of course security, smoke, and carbon monoxide alarms are important. But audio alarms have limits for seniors who commonly experience hearing loss. This is especially true for aging men who commonly lose the ability to hear high pitch sounds. Smart Home technology is much more advanced.