Smart devices are everywhere in the consumer market. And as technology has progressed, it has opened the door to creating safer homes for the elderly and disabled.

In this blog, we’ll explore the use of smart home technologies. 

Using Technology To Enhance Accessibility

Tech is part of our modern everyday life, and as it develops, we become more reliant on all of the gadgets and equipment that make our lives easier.

One huge advantage to this is integrating smart technologies into the homes and lives of the elderly and those with certain disabilities to improve accessibility. Smart home technologies for the elderly can automate tasks and help with challenging activities to support enhanced independence, greater comfort and better mental well-being. 

Here are some of the smart devices our clients have introduced into their homes and why they’re so loved. 

Smart Speakers

Smart speakers are becoming increasingly common in UK households, and start our list of smart home technologies for the elderly that can enhance day-to-day life. 

A smart speaker is a device that sits in your home, connects to your Wi-Fi network and can be controlled by your voice to assist with home tasks. This voice command feature is particularly useful for senior individuals who are not familiar with apps or have poor vision. 

Once set up and ready to go, smart speakers can be asked for information, like the weather, or to play music. They can also set reminders or call loved ones on the phone without needing to dial. This smart home technology removes the need to remember appointments, keep a diary or create a shopping list. 

Smart Lighting

As we get older, mobility can become a challenge. Actions as seemingly simple as walking over to turn the lights on or off can be uncomfortable or impossible to manage. 

Smart lighting for older or disabled individuals allows users to operate the lights remotely from wherever they are in the home, making the task effortless. This can be through the use of a remote or app, or even through voice commands using a smart speaker equipped with a home assistant feature and linked up to the lights. 

Smart lighting can also be set up with preset lighting settings and schedules to reduce the need for users to get up from where they’re resting. Alterations to lighting can include brightness and colour to suit a variety of visibility needs.

Motion sensor lights are another great solution to smart home technologies for the elderly. For areas of frequent use, such as bathrooms, kitchens and hallways, motion sensor lights can make moving around at night safer and simpler. 

Smart Blinds

Smart blinds offer the utmost convenience for stress-free living and work well for elderly and disabled clients. 

Smart home technologies for the elderly don’t get more convenient than smart blinds. Instead of having to move around the house to open and close window blinds, smart blinds can be integrated with smart home hubs and controlled by voice or app.

Installing smart blinds alongside a smart speaker helps to prevent the strain and discomfort borne from operating conventional window coverings. Opening and closing regular curtains and blinds also presents a high risk of falls due to the body movements required to operate them. Adding smart blind technology to a home also assists in maintaining privacy if the user is unable to reach it.

Smart Home Security

Smart security systems include video doorbells, surveillance cameras, smart locks and motion sensors around the home. 

Smart doorbells with cameras show who is knocking before answering the door, meaning the user doesn’t need to get up or even listen out for the doorbell, especially combined with smart locks, which are operational from an app on a phone or tablet. Smart locks remove the need for fiddly keys that are easy to lose and allow family members to check in by using passwords or codes to gain access. 

Installing a security system as part of smart home technologies for the elderly is particularly good for vulnerable adults and helps protect against unwanted door-to-door traders who might prey on such individuals. Smart security systems also send alerts as people enter and leave the property, meaning keeping track of carers and visitors has never been easier.

CCTV, as part of a smart home security system, gives both the user and their loved ones complete peace of mind that they are home, safe and well.

Personal Emergency Response Systems

Personal alarms can be used by the elderly or disabled to alert loved ones or caregivers when they’re in need. This can be lifesaving in the event of an accident or fall when alone.

Personal emergency response systems consist of a lightweight pendant worn by the user that, once pressed, connects them to a UK-based Emergency Resolution Centre. The preprogrammed call function means there are no complicated phone numbers to recall; users won’t even need to provide personal information, and calls are answered in seconds, no matter the time or day. 

Smart home technologies for the elderly don’t get more pivotal than the personal alarm in ensuring safety. The Emergency Resolution Centre can call your chosen contacts or the emergency services depending on the incident, including trips and falls, fires, illness, distress and even cold callers. 

The Challenges Of Adopting Smart Home Technologies

There are barriers to installing smart home technologies for the elderly. Learning to access and operate each gadget or piece of technology can be a steep learning curve, causing a user to feel anxious, out of their depth and unnerved. 

It can take a while to get used to. Some pieces of tech may require updates or need charging, so it’s worth keeping in mind that a user will still rely on someone technically minded to manage that side of their smart home. 

Thankfully, most smart home technologies have been designed to be extremely user-friendly, with simple interfaces and apps that are intuitive. And, once set up with voice commands, the assistance possibilities are endless. 

The benefits of smart home technologies for the elderly far outweigh the drawbacks, and even integrating just a few aspects of smart tech into a property can make huge differences in quality of life. 

Smart Home Technology Simplifies Day-To-Day Tasks

Smart technology has given us more tools at our disposal to make homes feel safer, more comfortable and accessible for occupants. It might come with challenges for elderly and disabled users, but with support, smart home technology has the potential to totally transform daily life and enhance independence tenfold.

Wondering what other adaptations might work for you or a loved one? See our website to find out more about us.