Smart homes as enablers

How they Work for Expectant Moms, Persons with Disabilities, and the Elderly

We continue to appreciate the concept of smart homes as we get to know more about their capabilities. Innovations continue to redefine the experience of living in a space where products are connected by a network and can be controlled easily by homeowners. Products and services are being offered to be able to optimize the functions to allow a smart home owner to manage an abode’s temperature, security, entertainment system, and more via gadgets from anywhere.

While anyone can benefit from the offerings of a smart home, persons who need assistance and extra support perhaps have a different level of appreciation. Expectant moms, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and the elderly have been a focus of some developers as they conceptualize the features of a smart home. The benefits bring comfort and much needed support to these persons, of course!

• More independence

Smart home features such as remote controls to turn lights on and off or lift the blinds or curtains are not meant for lazy people. Imagine an elderly or expecting mom not having to stand up and walk a few steps to be able to do so. The little things we take for granted are a big comfort to them. A knock on the door or a disturbing sound in a home’s perimeter can easily be assuaged by access to security cameras on screens for persons with disabilities. Smart home features allow anyone to have these capabilities and rely on other people less.

• Enjoy moments more

A new mom putting a baby to sleep can dim or change the color of a room’s light using an app on her phone. Persons who have disabilities are able to turn off the lights after reading a good book anytime they want. Products are being developed to enable voice-operated televisions, radios, and other appliances for anyone physically challenged to use with ease. Apple’s “Home” app enables users to control smart accessories like locking doors or controlling lights of a room. And voice assistants like Siri or Amazon’s Alexa can help support PWDs, vehicle drivers, or anyone who opts for the virtual assistant to, say, send text messages.

• Monitoring functions

HoneyCo, a company that offers easy-to-use smart technology for elderly care through products that "check and report on professional care visits and daily in-home safety." One of theproducts is the HoneyCo Connect that keeps families of elderly persons living alone updated with unusual movement patterns by placing sensors around the home or notify relatives of any unusual or disconcerting event. Some families place video intercoms to immediately communicate with their elderly as well. More advanced smart homes can also call for an emergency response team or notify their doctors of any unusual change in their health status.

• Health benefits

Companies like Philips have developed a medicine dispensing system to remind anyone to take the medication they are prescribed with daily. Any person can sync a device to remind them of their schedule and even tell them when it is time to order refills for such. Elderly parents are familiar with gadgets like smartphones and tablets showing them the right apps to help monitor their health. Expectant parents use wearables to play soothing music and use baby health monitors for their bundles of joy inside the womb. They can hear the heartbeat and even let them record sound so they can share with family and friends.

• Safety

Aside from security systems, smart homes are equipped with the capacity to control locks with smartphones. If anyone is locked out of your home by accident, you can provide access wherever you are. During trips, smart homes allow homeowners to turn lights on and off for security and costeffective measures.