Smart Home Technology: Understanding the Benefits for Seniors

 

Smart home technology has made life easier and more convenient for so many people over the last decade. Devices like voice-controlled thermostats and lights, voice-activated coffee machines, voice-controlled security systems, and customized daily reminders make your home as comfortable as possible.

For seniors who live alone or in a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), smart home technology can enhance their lives and create a safer environment. It also allows them to retain their independence and can give their loved ones peace of mind. So, what are some of the most popular smart home technologies, and how can they benefit seniors?

• Smart thermostats for improved sleep quality. We’ve all experienced restless nights, trouble falling asleep, and waking up because we’re too hot or too cold. Getting a good night’s rest is essential for your health, especially for seniors. Using a voice-controlled smart thermostat will help you achieve the right temperature in your bedroom without having to move. Therefore, keeping your sleep uninterrupted and sound.
• Smart medication dispensers. It’s so easy to get distracted and forget to take your daily medications. Or to forget what time you’re supposed to take each medication. For seniors who are on multiple medications, taking them at the right times throughout the day is essential. Smart medication dispensers like Reminder Rosie help you stay organized and on track with your medication schedule. You can also use certain medication dispensers to remind you of other daily tasks and appointments. Think of it as a multipurpose to-do list!
• Smart technology for a safe, energy-efficient environment. How many times have you left the house and accidentally left some lights on, or couldn’t remember if you turned the stove off? Have you ever left in a hurry for a weekend trip and forgot to adjust your thermostat? Not only can these things run up your monthly electric bill, but a stove left turned on can be dangerous.
  Smart technologies allow you to use voice commands to turn off lights, adjust the thermostat, and even switch off the stove. Some smart home technologies use sensors to switch off appliances when no one is using them, or you can put your systems on a timer to ensure you never forget again.

Integrating technology with independent senior living communities

Smart home technology has been hugely beneficial for CCRCs and assisted living communities. By harnessing the power of technology, residents are able to remain independent for longer, lead safer lives, and maintain better control of their environments.

Smart home technology can also be used by staff to alert them when there’s a possible fall or injury. This allows them to check on the resident as soon as possible and provide assistance if needed. In the past, when a senior fell, they often had to wait until someone found them, prolonging their discomfort and injuries. By utilizing smart technologies, CCRCs can ensure residents will remain as safe as possible in the event of an injury or a fall.

Our CCRC in Newton NJ, Bristol Glen has independent living apartments for the residents that utilize smart home technology. We encourage residents to maintain as much independence as possible, and our smart technology helps them do this while ensuring their apartments are safe, comfortable, and suited to their needs. Our residents love the ease and convenience of our “smart” apartments.

For more information about independent living at UMC at Bristol Glen, or any of our other communities in New Jersey, please contact United Methodist Communities today at: https://bristolglen.umcommunities.org/contact/

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