Safety and home
Smart home monitoring for seniors
Smart home monitoring for seniors uses sensors, cameras or connected devices to track activity at home and alert family or caregivers. Examples include door sensors, motion sensors, fall detection and stove shut-off devices. It adds information but does not replace hands-on care.
Why it matters for your family
Technology can give a family peace of mind. The National Institute on Aging notes that emergency medical alert systems can help if an older person lives alone and might fall, become sick or get lost. Other tools track motion, door use or stove use. Privacy matters. The person should know what is recorded and who sees it. A common mistake is to install cameras without telling the older adult. Another is to depend on alerts alone. A device cannot help with bathing, meals or a fall that needs lifting. Pair technology with regular visits or a caregiver. Check monthly fees and battery needs. Ask the person what feels acceptable.
Source: nia.nih.gov
Read more: What is Home Care? How to Benefit from These Services?
Related terms
- Medical alert systemA medical alert system is a device, often a wearable button, that lets a person call for help in an emergency.
- Aging in placeAging in place means staying in your own home as you get older.
- WanderingWandering is when a person with dementia leaves a safe place or walks around without a clear purpose and may become lost.
- Fall preventionFall prevention is the set of steps that lower the chance an older adult will fall.
- Care coordinationCare coordination is the work of organizing a person's care across doctors, caregivers, services and family so the pieces fit together.
- Family communicationFamily communication is how relatives share updates, decisions and concerns about a loved one's care.
