How to use technology for a Smarter, Safer Home
Carla Christian
50plus Magazine
Aging in place is the greatest desire of most seniors. Still, while 75% percent of adults over 50 want to remain in their homes for life, only one in three say their home has the features needed to do so.
Technology is changing that. If mastering new technology seems daunting, you’ll be glad to know that many products address your safety concerns and are simple to operate.
Smart home devices connect to wireless internet so you can monitor them on your smartphone or other enabled device from anywhere. Following are the leading smart products for safety at home.
Doorbells with smart technology “ring” at home and on your smart phone. When a visitor rings the bell you get a notification and can see who’s at your door thanks to the doorbell camera. You can opt to answer the door, talk to them through your smartphone or play a pre-recorded message.
A smart smoke detector both sounds an alarm and alerts your smartphone if it detects smoke or fire. Plus, “smart” features include sensor testing, battery monitoring, and usually carbon monoxide detection. You won’t need a stepladder if the alarm goes off; just silence it with your phone. If you receive an alert while away from home, a quick call to emergency services may prevent serious damage.
You can add smart lighting to your home in several ways — with Wi-Fi enabled bulbs, fixtures or switches and plugs. Once installed, you can control your lighting with a remote, from your phone, or by voice command via a digital assistant. Some models even dim or change lighting color and warmth.
Smart door and window alarms alert you if one opens, both with an audible alarm and an alert to your smartphone or other device. The battery-operated units mount wirelessly on doors, windows and sliding glass doors, and can be disabled remotely to allow access anytime.
A smart thermostat keeps your home at a comfortable temperature, efficiently. The thermostat learns your preferences and automatically adjusts to save energy while you’re asleep or away. Plus, it provides temperature and equipment insights so you can manage your system better. You won’t have to wonder whether you adjusted settings when you’re away — just view or adjust it on your smartphone.
A Smart Home Management System enables you to run your home with voice command or a touchscreen. Everything from your refrigerator, HVAC, lights and window treatments to your security system, doors and garage doors can be controlled remotely. Voice-activated assistants like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home help you access controls if you have mobility issues or reduced vision.