Helpful tech items for older adults

What are must-have smart home systems and devices for aging in place? Here’s a list of recommendations from Kamber, Miller, Alwan and Shilling:

• Wi-Fi with a broadband connection.

• A smart speaker device such as Amazon Echo, Google Nest and Apple Home. This should be the hub of the home tech system, says Miller, and should be synced with the other smart products. Shilling says that a smart speaker system with virtual assistant technology can set timers, make lists and even make phone calls via voice command.

• A device such as an iPad or Chromebook that has an interactive screen for system use and management. Kamber says it’s important to be able to visually and manually interact with smart systems.

• Smart plugs and smart lightbulbs programmed with a lighting schedule.

• Smart video doorbells such as Ring and Nest, door lock systems such as August smart locks, and smart burglar and fire alarms. Smart security packages such as those from Vivint and SimpliSafe encompass these security features and more.

• Smart medication aids such as the Reminder Rosie smart clock, Medminder pill dispenser, and Pria or Hero Medication management subscription services.

• Smartphones and smartwatches. Shilling says they provide access to apps to help with health management, socialization, managing finances, household oversight and emergency response.

• In-home cameras that caregivers can access to check on the homeowner’s well-being and provide support remotely.

• For the kitchen, Klaiman also recommends an electric teakettle for safety, as it shuts off automatically when the water has been heated and eliminates the fire hazards of burners. For additional safety in the kitchen, devices such as CookStop use motion sensors that can detect if nobody is tending the cooking and automatically shut off the oven or stovetop. Kamber recommends multicookers such as Instant Pot, which can be used in a variety of ways, including slow cooker and pressure cooker, and features a lid that locks into place until it can be removed safely.

• For housecleaning, Alwan recommends robotic vacuums and floor washers such as Roomba because they ease housecleaning.

• To maintain strength and balance, Alwan points to interactive home exercise systems such as Mirror. Kamber likes Peloton treadmill systems for seniors.