Advances in smart home technology, medical and safety devices, and wearable technology have made it easier and safer for seniors to age in place at home. If your loved one needs additional support to stay safe and healthy, but isn’t yet ready to transition into an assisted living facility or retirement home, you can use tech devices to enhance their safety and your peace of mind. Here is a look at the most helpful home tech devices for enhancing home safety for seniors and the benefits of using tech devices for home safety.
Benefits of Home Safety Devices for Seniors
Home safety devices can keep your loved one safe while you aren’t home, and can give them a greater sense of independence and self-sufficiency. Incorporating technology for home safety can create greater peace of mind and a safer home environment so your loved one doesn’t need to move into a retirement home or assisted living facility. The biggest benefits of home tech safety devices are:
- Improved home security
- Customizable options for individual needs and challenges
- Allows your loved one to age in place while maintaining their safety
- Offers remote monitoring and real-time alerts
- Gives you greater control over your loved one’s safety
- Prevents wandering
- Reduces the risk of break-ins or other security issues
- Improves quality of life
- Supports independence
- Allows for faster response in emergency situations
- Can make the home more comfortable and easier to navigate
- Supports recovery from illness or surgery
- Offers greater independence for those with mobility issues or disabilities
Smart Home Technology to Enhance Senior Safety
There are a wide variety of different smart home devices that can enhance your loved one’s safety and security at home:
- Smart Thermostats – Smart thermostats can allow your loved one to control their heating and cooling system using a remote or app or by creating schedules so that they don’t need to get up, go into another room, and try to use a keypad and tiny screen to make adjustments.
- Voice or Motion-activated Lights – Smart lights can be operated via voice or by using an app. Motion-activated lights and room occupation sensors can turn lights on when your loved one enters a room. For people who have disabilities or mobility issues or are at risk of a fall, these devices can give them greater control over their environment without requiring them to reach for light switches, bend down to deal with cords or plugs, or move from room to room to turn lights on or off.
- Voice-controlled Tech – There are many other voice-controlled tech options that can be connected to a smart home device. These allow your loved one to control multiple devices around their home by using their voice. They can turn lights on and off, adjust the thermostat, control the blinds, lock and unlock doors, and use appliances without having to get up and move from room to room.
- Smart Appliances – Smart appliances can be programmed to complete certain tasks or workflows on a schedule or at the press of a button on a remote or app.
- Smart Locks and Security Systems – Smart locks and security systems can prevent your loved one from wandering, reduce the risk of a break-in, and prevent your loved one from leaving doors or windows unlocked. They can be controlled remotely and provide temporary access for caregivers or emergency responders.
- Medication Management Devices – These devices can be programmed to dispense daily medication on a schedule and will sound an alarm when it’s time for your loved one to take their medication.
- Remote Monitoring Devices – Remote monitoring devices allow you and your family to check in on your loved one and receive real-time alerts of safety and health issues.
- Fall Detection Devices – Fall detection devices have sensors that can detect a fall or a change in activity levels and either call an emergency response agency or send alerts to you and other family members.
Tailoring Home Safety Solutions to Your Loved One’s Needs
Incorporating tech solutions into your loved one’s home can give you and your loved one greater control over their home environment. You can find solutions that can be fully customized to your loved one’s routines, abilities, interests, goals, and health and safety needs. Look for devices that solve existing problems and help your loved one overcome specific challenges. Avoid installing devices that your loved one doesn’t really need or that are overly complicated, as this could make your loved one’s life harder and cause frustration and annoyance.
Managing Healthcare at Home With Tech Devices
Wearable technology can help you and your loved one manage their healthcare at home. This can reduce trips to the doctor or emergency room, increase safety and independence, and reduce their risk of accident or injury.
Wearable technologies include fall detection devices, vital sign monitoring devices, and GPS tracking devices. Fall detection devices have sensors that can detect a fall or change in activity levels. They can be programmed to send real-time alerts to you, other family members, and emergency response agencies.
Vital sign monitoring devices can track your loved one’s temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, activity levels, and blood oxygenation levels. They can store this information for later use, or can send information to your loved one’s physician. GPS tracking devices are ideal for seniors who are in the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s and are prone to wandering. If your loved one manages to leave the home alone, the device can help you or first responders find them.
Combining Safety Monitoring, Safety Evaluations, and In-Home Care
As your loved one’s needs change and evolve, your plan of care for them will also need to change. You may need to consider a combination of different services to ensure your loved one can remain at home safely and comfortably.
If your loved one isn’t ready to transition into assisted living care, you can create a flexible in-home care plan that enhances their health, comfort, and safety while providing them with companionship and socialization. A home safety evaluation can identify areas of your loved one’s home that need repairs or attention to prevent health and safety issues.
Safety monitoring devices can alert you if your loved one falls, leaves the home alone, leaves a door unlocked, or if there is a fire or other emergency. An in-home caregiver can provide care and companionship when you and other family members can’t be in the home. By creating a comprehensive care plan, you can give your loved one the support they need while also prioritizing their independence and self-sufficiency.
Find an In-Home Caregiver in Southern Arizona
If you’re concerned about your loved one’s safety at home, our team at Placita In Home Care can help. We offer free home safety evaluations in Tucson and the Phoenix metro area. During your evaluation, one of our professionals will go through a comprehensive home safety checklist and assess the interior and exterior of the home to check for hidden dangers. We will then provide a report outlining our professional recommendations to mitigate risks and improve safety in the home. We can even refer you to a local handyman service to get issues fixed and install safety features like grab bars.
We also offer flexible, high-quality in-home care services, including Alzheimer’s care and memory care services. Our experienced, compassionate caregivers provide assistance with the tasks of daily living, and can provide transportation to medical appointments and social events, companionship, and comfort and safety.
If your loved one is ready to transition into an assisted living facility, we offer free assisted living placement services. To schedule a home safety evaluation in the Tucson or Phoenix metro area, call us today or fill out our contact form online.