Do You Use Any "Smart Home" Devices in Your House?

My father is late 89 and I wish so he would let me install google home or Alexa or the thermostat or even clap on lights! I so wish he would use a jitter bug type phone or even an emergency alert button.....but NO don't need any of that crazy stuff. Actually he is afraid of technology understandably.

I do not need that much tech, but hope I can adjust as needed to new if needed as I get older.
 

I came across this particular blog article that specifies 3 home security tips for senior citizens. These may sound lame, most of the support groups and blogs that I read, do also specify almost the same. Common factors to look into detail include

Doors. It is necessary to invest in quality doors that are solid and to ensure the frames are strong. It is also necessary to make sure the door frames are strong and to make use of sturdy locks and deadbolts.

Ground Level windows: Using security films or Plexiglas on the inside of the ground-floor windows(another entry path usually a criminal uses for break-ins) can make anyone break the glass harder. Adding in quality locks and solid window frames can also help.

Home Security Systems: It just makes sense in having a home security system installed too. This can only improve the level of protection one can have with all the systems included including the medical alert systems which can be added to the package.

Seniors, individuals or living with family, may come across difficulties and it is always necessary one reads and incorporate those they find value or reasonable.

Some other reads with the same idea that I came across are:
Home Safety Tips for Older Adults
14 Simple Safety Tips for Seniors Who Live Alone
10 Ways to Stay Safe When You Live Alone
 
Great post, sadly my dad follows none of the tips it seems. I have asked over and over, DO not open the door if you did not invite someone over. Still if the door is knocked on at 9 pm he will open it. The window in the main back door is a flimsy plexiglass from 1970 from when we broke it as kids and that was what he put in. I could push my hand through it. The door itself is a wood door from 1920 with same lock on it, that's is ok as the key hangs on the wall by the out side, I mean that is where it always has been so you don't have to carry it on your keys!!!! UGG
 

@GypsyRoadLady: Sorry to hear that. But, if your father is against technology don't force him. You could just update the doors and windows with new doors and plexiglass window. Add in new frames for those. Have the exterior key hang and have a new one inside. these changes they may find easy to accept.
Many elderly people find difficulty in adjusting to the new technologies. They stick onto saying "the old is good"&"we had been following this for long and nothing bad occurred, so why change now." and so on.
So, I would suggest you to step in and take action yourself. After all its their safety that matters, right.
 
Would you like something like this in your home, or would you find it annoying? I would find it annoying.

 
I was always fascinated by smart home technology. Being an older adult, I know what are the struggles of elderly are when it comes to living alone or only with your spouse.

That being said, Smart home has helped us a lot in managing our home. I have considerable collection of smart home techs like Smart bulbs, Smart doorbell, thermostat and outdoor cameras. All these gadgets are controlled by Alexa on Echo show.
 
HipGnosis said:
Why or when do you ever need to adjust your thermostat when not at home?!? I seriously don't get this. My $20 programmable thermostat has a 'vacation' temp that I can select whenever I'm leaving for a while.
Click to expand...

I live in the desert. My thermostat, which has a motion sensor, knows when we are away for more than XX hours/days , and automatically goes into "away" mode. When we are returning, and are about an hour away, I can turn off the "away" mode so the house will be cooled down by the time we get home. Make perfect sense to me.

YMMV
 
Just me...lol...actually I am a new device nut and still have some that I was not keen enough to follow instructions, now most are automatic and download automatically etc, takes the fun out of doing it yourself. I like electronic devices, but don't see that well any more and I am all thumbs. I thought you got better with age, must have been talking about cheese.
 
Some times I try to show Sweetie a new electronic devise I have found on Ebay and explain to her, we could use this. She usually gives me the chin flick, so I order it.
 
New Security Tip: I just got here so I don't know if this was said, but...

...the News said, at the end of the day you can ask Alexis to erase all conversations for that day and it will.
 

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