Modern Innovations to Make Your Elderly Loved One's Home a More Secure Place

It can quickly become very important to ensure that your elderly loved one is safe and comfortable, especially if you can't be with them all the time. Smart home technology is getting better constantly, making it easier than ever to create a safe and helpful space for older people.

These new technologies, like complete security systems and gadgets that can help immediately in an emergency, can help keep seniors safe and protected in their homes.

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4 Smart Home Tech to Keep Seniors Safe in Conway, AR, and the Surrounding Area

Smart gadgets offer extra safety and peace of mind when keeping your loved one safe at home.

If you're worried about the safety of your elderly loved one's home, here are some modern ways to monitor their health.

Voice commands for talking to people

Alexa from Amazon and Siri from Apple are like family in some homes. Users only need a few words to play their favorite song, order food delivery or a rideshare service, or answer quiz questions.

Voice-enabled goods are also an excellent way for older people who have trouble seeing or moving around to do a variety of voice-activated chores without having to look for different devices:

• Read out loud emails and other text messages
• Set up audio medicine alerts
• Turn on the lights and electronics
• Call the rescue forces
• Call people and make video talks

Using a smartphone as a remote

Simple mobile apps let you or a loved one handle things around the house through Wi-Fi from afar. All you need are a few inexpensive items.

Smart plugs are small adapters that fit into individual wall outlets. Did you forget to turn off the TV? Want to make a fan in your room run? No problem—use the app on your phone to turn outlets on and off, set a timer, or turn off power to specific items.

Smart lighting links dimmers, light bulbs, and wall switches. From your phone, you can turn lights on and off, set timers, change the amount of light for any time of day, or light up a doorway.

Remote thermostats link the home's heating and cooling systems. You can change the temperature from anywhere, see the levels right now, get simple reports on how much energy is used, or teach your loved one's daily habits. The money you save on energy costs can cover the purchase price in just a few months, and many utility companies offer refunds to cover the cost.

Improvements to home security

The AARP's AgeTech Collaborative says home safety technology is crucial for people who want to live independently. No matter where they live, seniors who live alone may feel unsafe or uncomfortable because they are afraid or forgetful.

You can easily set up home protection systems independently with the right tools. You can pick anything from single items to security for your whole house:

• Motion monitors that don't get set off by birds or pets
• Sensors that pick up when a door or window opens or closes
• Smart locks for outside doors
• Indoor, window, and doorbell cams that don't need wires
• Security cams inside and outside that are wired

If someone you care about has trouble moving around or thinking clearly, their home security system can automatically call 911 if they are in a life-threatening situation. A professional security company can monitor alarms, reply to them in real time, and send important information to first responders before they arrive, giving you more safety.

Checking on your home's safety from afar

This can give you peace of mind if your senior lives in an older home or has trouble changing the batteries in the smoke alarm. From afar, you can keep an eye on risks like

• Alarms for fires
• Alarms for smoke
• Leaks in the gas or water
• Levels of radon and carbon monoxide
• Air quality inside

Innovative technology lets you monitor problems continuously, get real-time updates on their state, set up automatic alerts for situations, and plan maintenance notes.

Use Technology to Help Caregivers Feel Less Stressed

Tech always on can make your job as a family helper easier. Try out new apps and gadgets with your partner. Once you're linked, you can feel closer even when you can't be in person. No matter what brilliant product you choose, protect your personal information by checking the privacy settings and turning off any data sharing you don't want. 

Call our main office right away to set up a meeting at your home to learn more about Visiting Angels and how we help adults in Conway.