Smart home devices for seniors are changing how people age in place. Style, convenience, aesthetics, and comfort have long been the primary concerns of the home setup. However, for seniors, successful aging in place also requires a well-implemented plan for home safety. The good news is, with so many advances in smart home devices for seniors, implementing home safety for seniors no longer means compromising style, budget, or comfort. Furthermore, using technology to optimize home safety and function to age in place is often inexpensive and does not require permanent changes to the structure or aesthetics of the home.
The list below includes some of the more commonly used technologies and some unique home safety features and benefits available on smart home devices for seniors. In fact, many of these popular smart home technology systems that include home safety features may already be installed in some seniors’ homes!
Here are some common, available smart home technologies with features that offer practical solutions for senior safety to promote successful aging in place:
Smart Locks: These locks are easy to use and eliminate concerns related to losing keys or getting locked out of the house. Smart locks offer multiple secure keyless entry options, including:
- Key code entry
- Apple Home key or other Bluetooth tap unlocking features
- Voice control
- Fingerprint recognition
Additionally, access can be granted remotely in case of an emergency, and many systems include built-in security monitoring. This ensures that no senior will be left out in the cold.
Smart Watches: Though there are a variety of smartwatches available, some features to look for when considering senior home safety include:
- Voice command emergency calling capabilities (cellular service required)
- Vitals and fall monitoring (with application)
- Smart lock tap home access
- Alarm reminders for medications and important appointments
- GPS locators
Smart Smoke Detector: Smart smoke/carbon monoxide detectors have quite the list of useful features, including:
- Regular testing and monitoring of smoke and carbon levels in the home
- Voice command instructions on location and level of smoke/carbon monoxide
- Remote monitoring of battery life and activity notifications via smartphone
- Early warning of minor smoke indications (in case of cooking or smoking mishap) without full alarm activation
- Pathway illumination
These features can help alert both the senior homeowner and family members to ensure effective alerts and timely emergency responses to home safety crises.
Smart Home Virtual Assistants: Commonly known as Google Home or Amazon Echo, these smart home systems have many features that can contribute to the functionality and home safety of seniors aging in place. Not only are these features simple and intuitive to use, but they are also subtle. Some safety features to look for in these types of smart home devices for seniors include:
- Security alarm initiation
- Reminders
- Emergency calling via voice command
- Orientation to calendar/weather/schedule
- Pairing to digital caregivers
- Communication application
- Camera monitoring
- Security systems (such as Alexa Guard)
- Bluetooth connection for other smart devices
Smart Medication Dispenser: Medication management can be tricky in any age and stage. Smart medication dispensers are a great solution to promote independent, errorless medication management for seniors who are aging in place, opportunities to minimize staff/family support, and methods to prevent dangerous medication errors for those with dementia. Every system is different, but smart medication dispensers can offer a variety of services and features to support errorless medication management including:
- Pill organization
- Medication distribution
- Dose reminders
- Remote monitoring for family or caregivers
- Pharmacist-directed medication education
- Refill reminders and ordering assistance
Smart Outlets: These are easy to install, simply by inserting into an existing outlet. Smart outlets can help increase fall prevention and independence in basic household management for seniors. The smart outlet can offer:
- Timed lighting for safe illumination at nighttime and intruder deterrence
- Control remotely by smartphone or voice command via a smart home assistant such as Google Home
- Energy monitoring
- Safe management of appliances with automatic on/off features
- Outdoor smart plugs are available
Smart Stove Sensor: Many smart stove sensors are great home safety measures, particularly for seniors with cognitive impairment and those diagnosed with dementia. Smart stove sensors use temperature to monitor safety and trigger automatic shut-off, however, more sophisticated systems are available offering additional features such as:
- Motion sensor monitoring to ensure someone is present and actively using the stove
- Shut off alerts to notify you before the stove shuts off automatically
- Wi-fi enabled to connect with your smart home system
- Remote monitoring to manage settings to receive notifications of activity
- Late-night stove lock to prevent use in the middle of the night. This may be beneficial for sleepwalkers and sun-downers
- Gas leak detection
- Emergency response button with notifications sent via cellphone for remote monitoring
Smart Garage Door Openers: Garage door openers now offer smart technology too. Seniors may appreciate the Smart garage door openers for features such as:
- Remote camera monitoring
- Remote access and control
- Programmable automatic timed door closing
- Home security, including automatic illumination and motion sensor camera monitoring
- Virtual key access provides one-time or permanent access for friends and family
Smart Water Monitor: These smart systems allow you to:
- Remotely monitor water leaks
- Receive notifications
- Enable automatic emergency shut-offs remotely
- Program safe water temperatures to prevent scalding
Such features enable seniors to monitor water systems that they may not be able to physically access (such as in the basement) to help prevent leaks and flooding—just another level of home safety to rely on.
It is evident that remote camera monitoring is no longer the only option available for home safety for seniors. Though the list above is not a comprehensive list of smart home devices for seniors to improve safety, it is clear that technology has immeasurable potential for improving and advancing home safety and fall prevention to help enable seniors to age successfully in place at home. For more information on home safety for seniors, contact an elder care specialist at Rothkoff Law Group to speak with an experienced care coordinator or home safety specialist who can help you explore the right home safety plan for you.