Aging comes with new opportunities as well as new difficulties. You finally have time for all the activities and hobbies you enjoy. On the other hand, there are also some risks and health issues to consider. As we grow older, our vision deteriorates, and mobility decreases. However, most seniors want to stay active and self-reliant. They don't want to move to care facilities and change their life completely. On the contrary, most seniors want to remain in their own homes. Therefore, considering some new tech solutions and innovations, opting for a smart home is an excellent idea. While it may seem strange or complicated at first, it really isn't, and it has numerous advantages. It enables you to tailor your home support system to suit your needs and wishes. Here are the six ways seniors can benefit from smart homes.
Smart devices will increase your safety
Security for seniors is paramount. Knowing that your home is a safe place where you can relax and enjoy yourself will give you the peace of mind everybody needs. Safety is an especially important issue for those seniors who live alone. There are quite a few useful smart devices that can help you increase your home's security, such as smart doorbells and locks.
For example, smart doorbells allow you to see who your visitors are without getting up or opening the door. This will ensure you only let in the visitors you know and trust. What's more, smart doorbells can be fitted with motion detectors. That will enable you to be aware of any suspicious activity even if you're not at home.
A smart home can help you save money
Not only will having a smart home enhance your home's security, but it can also help you save money. Apart from these budget-friendly tips for a home redesign, installing smart home technology is a cost-effective option. You can save on utility bills by monitoring your heating system and adjusting its usage to your habits.
By installing smart lightbulbs and thermostats, you will be able to monitor and control your light and heating system as it suits you. You set the heating to turn on when you need it and turn it off when you don't. For example, when you leave the house or during the night. You can also schedule the lights around the house to turn off automatically when you want.
Increasing comfort is one of the ways seniors can benefit from smart homes
We all want our homes to be comfortable and cozy. However, for seniors, making your home comfortable includes several more features. For starters, it would be a good idea to declutter your home and make clear pathways through all the rooms. You should avoid accumulating stuff in your home because all those items scattered around can present fall risks.
But modern technology offers new possibilities. Smart hubs and devices will enable you to turn your appliances on and off remotely. You can dim the lights, play music or adjust the heating without getting up every time. In that fashion, you'll avoid getting tired or frustrated. For those seniors who suffer from arthritis or have mobility difficulties, these simple devices and apps will make a tremendous difference.
Increasing convenience in your everyday life
As we grow old, it often happens that simple tasks become time-consuming and difficult. Especially if you happen to forget to do something in one room, for example, turn off the lights, and then you have to get up, go back, and turn it off. For those seniors who experience arthritis or impaired mobility, it can quickly become a frustration and a cause of stress. Difficulties of this sort can affect our daily life and reduce the quality of life in general.
Here's where modern technology can step in and make everyday routines more manageable. Smart hubs and smart devices can be set to perform certain activities automatically. You can choose the time that fits your daily routine and set the devices to turn on and off at the designated times. This can spare you unnecessary extra trips to other rooms and reduce the risk of falling, as well as stress.
Remote and voice control
What's best about smart tech solutions for seniors is that you can enjoy all the benefits, even without being tech-savvy. Older adults are often tech-adverse and not interested in learning more about up-to-date technology. Of course, this doesn't apply to all seniors; many are enthusiastic about new possibilities and eager to implement them in their daily life.
However, even if you don't feel inclined to learn more about smart devices, you can still use them with ease. They are all relatively simple to set up and connect with your smartphone. Once the smart home is set up as you want it, you can use your voice to control it. Smart voice assistants such as Google Home, Apple's Siri, or Amazon Alexa enable you to issue voice commands and instructions.
By using hands-free voice control, you can issue commands such as "Dim the lights in the living room" or "Turn on the radio" to control your environment. You can even make a set of commands depending on your habits and wishes. Then tell your smart assistant one command, for example, "Morning routine", and it will perform a set of tasks you chose for that time of the day.
Help your loved ones to check on you
Installing smart indoor cameras will not only provide you with extra safety, but it can enable your loved ones to check up on you and see that you're well. What's more, many of these cameras are equipped with motion detectors so, in case of a fall or some emergency, your family and friends will be able to react quickly and help you.
Not to mention that staying in touch with your loved ones, especially if you live alone, is very important for your mental well-being and happiness. Voice assistants enable you to communicate easily and call anyone you want by giving a simple voice command. Staying in touch with the family, showing love and care is one of the most important ways seniors can benefit from smart homes.
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