Recommended Smart Home Devices for Seniors

Smart home technology isn’t only for the young; seniors, too, can benefit from smart home devices to connect with friends and family, improve home security, and enhance comfort.

Here are some innovative products to offer as gifts to a senior or to buy for yourself.

Home safety products for seniors

For seniors who spend a lot of time at home, security devices such as smart locks and video doorbells are immensely helpful and convenient.

With a smart lock device, you don’t have to worry about locking yourself out of the house because you’ve misplaced your keys. They also make it easier for others to get to you in an emergency, as devices like the Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt can be unlocked by anyone you trust.

All they need is a code to get in. You can set up to 100 personalized codes on the app and change them at any time. Your loved ones can also give the code to emergency responders, so they can gain entry without messing with a lockbox or breaking down the door.

What’s more, Wi-Fi deadbolts use fingerprint technology, making it nearly impossible for anyone without the code to gain entry. The Schlage Wi-Fi Deadbolt can sense potential security breaches with its built-in alarm technology.

Ring and NEST video doorbells provide much-needed security too by alerting you when someone gets close to the door and recording images and video. When the doorbell rings, you can see who’s at the door using the corresponding app on a smartphone or tablet, and you can choose to speak with the person from anywhere in your home.

When selecting a home security product, look for the following features:

• Wall-mountable panic buttons
• Wearable panic buttons
• Visual alarm verification so first responders can know what type of emergency personnel to send

You might feel some of these features are unnecessary, but choosing a system that grows with you is wise. If you plan to live in your home for as long as possible, installing a flexible, expandable system will give you more security options in the future.

Products that make communication easier

Connections with family and friends are essential for the well-being of seniors. According to researcher Andrew Sommerlad, Ph.D., lead author of a study conducted by University College London, “60-year-old people who visited with friends almost daily were 12% less likely to develop dementia than those who only saw one or two friends every few months.”

Many seniors are unable to see their friends and family as often as they’d like, be it because of busy schedules or large distances. Fortunately, technology makes it easier to stay in touch and spend valuable face-to-face time with loved ones. Here are two excellent smart home devices to consider:

• Amazon Echo Show 10: This all-in-one smartphone and tablet allows seniors to initiate video calls, receive drop-in audio calls via a speaker instead of the phone, and protect their privacy with a phone and camera privacy shutter.
• Meta Portal: No one can argue that Facebook was the original tool to connect people during the early days of the social media boom. Meta Portal is a smart video-calling device compatible with seniors’ favorite apps, making it easy to learn and use. It’s also great for seniors who work from home and want to connect with clients and colleagues.

Final thoughts

Many older adults have mixed feelings about smart technology; they’re concerned about their privacy and digital security. Yet, the right products and proper installation can deliver powerful protection to keep your home secure and connect you with your loved ones.

Doing what you want when you want and with whom you want, and having the means and support to do it easily and safely. That’s exactly what a senior apartment home in a senior living neighborhood at Monroe Village will give you. Contact us to schedule a visit today.