In a world making rapid technological advancements, there are multiple ways smart devices can grant senior or disabled homeowners more independence, comfort, and convenience. More smart homes are equipped with devices that are simple to operate, empowering their users to rely less on external help. Here at Origin Hi-Fi, we partner with companies that offer devices perfect for users of all ages and abilities. Here are several ways smart homes are aiding disabled and/or elderly users.
Easy Home Maintenance
Smart home solutions promise to deliver convenience as one of their primary benefits, but for disabled or elderly users, these are necessary aids in helping them live a comfortable life. These devices have changed the lives of users who are otherwise dependent on others due to a visual impairment, chronic illness, or physical immobility. Users can operate every function in their home from the palm of their hand or their voice when their network connects to a remote center, such as a phone or tablet. Seniors and disabled folks can control their thermostat, security system, lighting, and television while accessing their physical and medical data. AI and robot cleaning vacuums are incredibly helpful in keeping the home clean and free of allergens and irritants in the air.
Alternatively, when your voice assistant is the centralized hub, it can turn operating the home into an entirely hands-free experience for users with limited mobility or visual impairment. Voice activation is popular and easy to use among seniors, who can make phone calls, listen to music, research information, and listen to audiobooks with a simple command. Personal assistants activate smart devices and appliances via Bluetooth, allowing for more entertainment, convenience, and enjoyment in the lives of every user.
Improved Security Measures
Smart security systems can grant a sense of safety to anyone with impaired mobilities and peace of mind to their loved ones and family members. Safety is often one of the biggest concerns for seniors who worry about the well-being of themselves and others. Smart locks, doorbells, and security systems can help seniors live independently and safely in their own homes.
Smart doors can notify visually impaired users if their front door has been opened or security has been compromised through alternative audio or visual cues. Smart locks and doorbells are useful in monitoring the activity of anyone exiting or entering the home; they can be controlled remotely by other individuals with a paired app. Smart locks are also safer alternatives to keypads since they can be opened with a smartphone instead of a code anyone can guess. Users can restrict the number of times someone can enter their home in a day while tracking who has entered with a code. Smart doorbells are especially helpful for those who are confined to bed. Certain smart doorbells come with motion-sensor cameras so the user can see, speak to, and let in guests at their front door without leaving their room.
Surveillance cameras can also be placed indoors and outdoors for family members outside of the home to check in occasionally to ensure everything is alright. Silent alert systems can be set up with CCTV cameras to alert external family members if their elderly or disabled homeowner has fallen or is unresponsive after several minutes.
Energy Efficiency for Sensitive Bodies
Smart devices lean towards energy efficiency, especially when paired with a smart energy management system. Precise control of the system settings helps cut down on electricity and heating bills for users. For users who prefer keeping their room warm, such as patients with cerebral palsy who have a lower core body temperature, smart thermostats are more effective than traditional thermostats. Wheelchair users can also easily change their home's temperature through their smartphone instead of lacking the height to reach a traditional wall-mounted thermostat.
Smart blinds can keep the home cool or even solar charge the mechanism's motor using the remote control on a smartphone app or voice assistant, which helps physically limited patients use blinds without manually struggling with them. It’s easy for them to remain at a comfortable temperature and let in the perfect amount of light no matter the time of day or year. Motion-sensor automated lights also help decrease the chance of nighttime falls in the dark as your loved one moves around the home. These lights can also be voice-activated and adjust their brightness to a softer light for nighttime. Dimmed lighting is also gentle on users who often experience sensory overload but still need to be able to see their surroundings.
Self-Sufficient Living
We’ve covered how smart homes help elderly and disabled users take control of their household operations, but many devices and apps also help these homeowners become self-reliant and less dependent on external carers or family members. Devices such as health trackers and smart pill dispensers allow users take charge of their health while sending daily health reports to doctors and family. They can remind users of doctor’s appointments, medication intake, and important dates. Smart wearable technology, for example, can monitor and maintain oxygen and blood levels for the user. Location-tracking apps on a smart device prove to be incredibly helpful for finding seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia who may have wandered away, or for anyone who lives alone without a caregiver 24/7. These devices can make the difference between life and death in case of a fall or accident.
As more companies create smart devices designed specifically for disabled or elderly users, more people are empowered to live dignified, self-sufficient lifestyles. Here at Origin Hi-Fi, we are proud to provide smart devices that allow for accessible leisure and control to homeowners everywhere. Whether you would like to install motion-sensor lighting or have questions about voice assistant capabilities, contact us today to begin!