Senior Smart Homes – Las Vegas
August 11th, 2009
Smart Homes are no longer found in a dream world; they are now available to the mainstream population. This is happening because of the advancements that have taken place in computer systems and sensors. Affordability is the issue that has held this technology back; that is now changing.
One growing sector of society now has a chance to live out their lives at home rather than a nursing or retirement home. Seniors are now in a position to use this technology to stay in the comfort of their own homes.
Everyone wants to hold on to their independence and enjoy the quality of life that they have become accustomed to. There is a sense of pride that comes with taking care of oneself.
There are a number of applications that are available to assist the senior citizen. Some may not be needed initially; we all know seniors who are doing extremely well late in life. However, if things do change, wouldn’t be nice have something in place to allow a seamless transition to a more assisted living environment?
There will inevitably be doubts surrounding the Senior Smart Home. Is the technology my friend or is it an enemy pointing out my changing capabilities as I grow older? Will someone be watching me all the time on video or monitoring my movements by the use of sensors? What will happen to my privacy?
The Senior Smart Home concept is a different form of dependency; the individual chooses this path. It can provide comfort to the individual using it and to the family that has justifiable concerns about the health and safety of their loved one.
I believe that the key element is the time of implementation; a time when the need is not essential. It can be a time of learning for everyone that is involved; a time to understand that this independence can be reached without isolation.
Early involvement by the user and family members can make this a successful strategy. Seeing how something works in advance of an emergency can give everyone a sense of comfort.
I recently met, Teri Lyn Vander Heiden, a woman with a mission. Her goal is to build a Senior Smart Home for herself. She has a story to tell and a vision of a future that she wants to share. I will be creating a site on Green Homes Las Vegas for her to do just that.
Maybe you are a senior or have a parent who is trying to face the challenges of aging while maintaining their independence. Perhaps we all can find some solutions to a better life.
Here is a link to a walk-thru of a Smart Home, while not a Senior Smart Home, it does show you some of the technology that can be found. As best as I can, I will help Teri bring some new ideas into your lives.
