Benefits of smart home technology for older people

Feb 28, 2023 | News

A smart home is any home that has smart technology installed, from virtual assistants to video doorbells. Smart technologies are designed to make life at home easier and safer.

Such technologies are designed to make life easier for anyone, of any age, but they are particularly helpful for older people and the elderly, especially if carers frequently visit the home.

Keep reading to learn the top benefits of smart home technology for the elderly.

What is Smart Technology for the Elderly?

Various technologies can make daily life easier for the elderly. Smart devices can also help relatives keep an eye on their parents when away from home, giving them peace of mind that they are safe.

Some of the most popular smart home technologies for the elderly include:

• Smart thermostat – which automatically turns the heating on and off at certain times or when certain temperatures are reached, and that can be controlled remotely by relatives away from the home
• Smart lighting – that can be turned on and off when away from home, so if lights are accidentally left on when older parents go out, they can be turned off remotely, saving electricity
• Automatic curtains and blinds – opening and closing blinds can become a difficult task as you get older, so electric blinds (controlled via an app or remote) can make morning and evening routines easier for those less mobile
• Key-less locks – keys can be difficult for those with arthritis, but smart locks operate on fingerprint recognition or pin codes, making entry safer and less fiddly
• Smart doorbells – doorbell assistants, combined with smart locks, allow elderly relatives to enable entry to certain guests (like carers) without needing to get up, and can be controlled by people outside of the home, so relatives can monitor if scam artists try to enter
• Robot cleaners and grass cutters – robot vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers can help keep the house and garden tidy when mobility is poor

Smart home technology can be particularly helpful for elderly parents with carers. Smart doorbells enable relatives to see who’s coming and going via app notifications, so you can check that carers are visiting and that the people who visit are who they say they are.

Benefits of Smart Home Technology for the Elderly

Several benefits of smart home technology for the elderly include the ability to:

• Help the elderly maintain their independence at home
• Make daily life easier
• Enable easy access in an emergency
• Provide peace of mind to relatives
• Help relatives keep an eye on elderly parents e.g., knowing who’s at the door
• Keep homes clean and well-kept

Installing smart home technology can help elderly parents feel safer at home and offer peace of mind to relatives.

Other ways to keep elderly relatives safe and independent at home is by having a live-in carer supporting them with a personalised care plan. At OxleyCare, we provide the highest quality 24-hour live-in care.

Contact our friendly team today to develop a unique care package that matches you or your elderly relative’s needs.