The Benefits of Smart Home Technology for Those Over 55
Living comfortably and independently in your own home takes on more and more importance once you’re over 55. Fortunately, we’re living in a time when you have more options than any generation ever has to successfully age-in-place. Smart home technology might sound like something your kids – or grandkids – are into, but don’t overlook it as a potential benefit. Read on to find some of the advantages that come with embracing smart home technology and how to ensure it contributes to a more convenient, secure and enjoyable home environment.
Accessibility, Security, and Safety With Smart Home Technology
Let’s start with the basics – and technology you may already have without realizing all the ways it could be working for you. Voice-activated assistants, such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Home, allow you to control a long list of possible devices. With compatible equipment, you can turn lights on and off, adjust the thermostat, and lock or unlock the door with a simple voice command. In many cases you can also control these remotely from your phone. So, even if you’re enjoying café culture in Tuscany you can make sure your home is running smoothly.
Using smart home technology can also make your home safer and more secure. Doorbell cameras alert you any time someone is near your entry. Many models also allow you to speak with the person at your door whether you are at home and unable to go to the door or away from home altogether. This real-time monitoring is a major deterrent to potential intruders, and having it available can offer excellent peace of mind.
Additional Smart Home Monitoring Options
We know, the Cold War really made anyone who lived through it a little suspicious of any Big Brother-style technology with the capability to monitor you or your home. However, in 2023 it’s time to rethink that kind of technology and how it can work for you rather than against you. The first thing to remember is that it is always you who is in control of who has access to any smart home technology you incorporate, so this is completely voluntary monitoring. If you have concerned family or other caregivers giving them some access to remote monitoring gives you more independence without sacrificing your safety.
Some systems can also be used to help monitor your health and overall wellbeing. Wearable devices can connect to your smart home system to track your activity level and vital signs. These can be set up to alert someone of your choice if your device indicates that you may be in distress or having a medical emergency.
Smart home technology is also great for entertainment. You can use it to make your whole TV into a video call screen just like in Back to the Future. It also gives you access to a wide variety of entertainment like movies, music, audiobooks that can all be controlled with your voice.
One of the things Golden Home Management wants to help provide to our clients is the confidence of a well-cared for home. As technology continues to advance, we’re here to help you incorporate it into your home, and to make sure you are comfortable using it. Let’s talk about how we can improve your life.