The Baby Boomers, or those between the ages of 54 and 72 this year, are known for their independence and self-reliance. These traits have not gone away over time. A survey from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) found that three out of four adults at least 50 years old prefer to continue living independently.
The trend makes caring for elderly adults challenging, more so as boomers’ adult children live hours or days away from their aging parents.
Living Independently in Smart Homes
The integrated smart home technology helps aging adults continue to live full, independent, and productive lives. It also gives their families peace of mind, and caregivers with a way to ensure their well-being and convenience.
The home automation technology ranges from regular smart home systems to ones specifically designed for assisted elderly living. Among the more common smart home systems, security cameras prove particularly useful.
Backstreet Surveillance notes that the users may customize their security camera systems according to their needs. It allows the families to check up on their elderly loved ones. It also helps ease concerns, such as whether they’ve taken their medicine or been gone from the house for too long.
Improving Quality of Life
Smart home automation for the elderly, also called assistive domotics, improves home safety and security. It allows the elderly to age in place while maintaining their quality of life. It may even improve it, in some cases.
The prevalence of age-related disabilities among the elderly reduces their quality of life. It makes certain daily activities harder to accomplish. The smart assistants or smart home hubs help aging adults overcome these hurdles.
The advanced systems can also take the place of in-person caregivers for some tasks. Some systems can monitor the living conditions of elderly adults. It can detect abnormalities in the home and make adjustments.
Technology tailored for the Elderly
Interconnected smart home devices make it easier for the elderly to make phone calls from nearly anywhere in the house. For instance, some models of smart refrigerators can send and receive messages.
The aging adults with hearing difficulties benefit from a colored light notification system. Smart light systems connected with smart security cameras can be customized to blink or glow a certain color whenever certain people are at the door.
Meanwhile, the voice-activated smart home technology makes daily life easier for vision-impaired older people. Voice commands can lock and unlock doors, turn on appliances, and set alarms or reminders.
The interconnected smart home devices and appliances make it easier to ensure timely intake of medicine. Smart home hubs connected with smartphones or personal health devices can track the health conditions of aging adults, as well. This helps ensure a timely response in case of medical emergencies.
Smart home technology allows the elderly to live independently without compromising their quality of life. The growing industry of smart home technology means there would soon be a device or system specifically designed for any problem or difficulties these homeowners may encounter.
