Technological innovation can oftentimes cause senior citizens to feel ousted in society; just when they’ve mastered the basics of computers, something new comes along that renders that knowledge virtually obsolete. Smartphones are becoming more commonplace and, for most, even a life necessity, but they are expensive and difficult to master for someone who isn’t comfortable with the digital world. Although there may be certain things we consider essential that seniors do just fine without, there are some more practical, accessible inventions that can be integrated into the home. These products feature senior-friendly design and are designed to make life safer and more comfortable as they age. Getting older doesn’t mean you need to give up on living, but there are modifications that can be made to ensure active seniors never have to slow down or surrender their independence.
A Home Elevator
A new contemporary residential elevator can help seniors stay active in a two-story home. Home elevators eliminate fall risks from stairs, can be wheelchair-accessible and allow senior citizens to keep up with many routine tasks. Whether they are doing laundry, bringing home groceries or taking their dog outside for a walk, a home elevator is the most expensive investment here with arguably the most transformative effect on a senior’s daily life. For some of the elderly, mobility is the number one reason they can’t live alone. Although they are cognitively capable of living fully, stairs make it impossible for them to safely live alone. An elevator can change that, and it can prevent them from having to hire a caretaker or move into assisted living.
A Smart Home Hub
The go-to home technology, a hub like Amazon Alexa is intuitive and voice-activated. It can connect other home technologies together, including smart light bulbs, smart locks and a smart thermostat. Why so many smart gadgets? They centralize living and eliminate the need for constant movement. A smart hub responds to simple commands and can help a senior easily turn lights on or off, lock or unlock doors, conduct their Roomba to clean or read their emails or text messages to them. They can also use a hub to listen to music, play audiobooks, set reminders and even call family and friends. It also pairs up with apps designed specifically for senior care, like Sundial.
A Smart Doorbell
For those who live on their own, it can be intimidating to have a stranger knock at the door. They may also have a more difficult time hearing the doorbell, which would leave them in danger in the event of an emergency. Smart doorbells with cameras automatically alert owners via their smart hub and smart phone when someone’s at the door while simultaneously streaming high-definition, live footage. They can even communicate with someone at the door through a two-way microphone. This is especially useful for those with limited mobility and are not able to reach a peephole or hear well through the door.
Sensor Lights
Motion-activated lights can provide a sense of ease when they need to walk around at night. They’ll never have to be in the dark again in the morning, or worry about falling when they have to take a trip to the bathroom. These lights can also provide an added sense of safety as a personal security measure; installed outside the home as well, they will pick up on any activity and cast light on the cause. You may want to pair one of these with smart LED bulbs that can be controlled through an app.
