Aging in Place Week (sometimes called Active Aging Week) is October 5–11 this year. Thinking about aging in place means thinking about home accessibility. And thinking about accessibility means thinking about “smart” assistive technology.
No End of Options
A “smart home” is any home with devices that can be operated remotely, usually by a smartphone app. The most common smart-home devices are TVs, wireless digital assistants (smart speakers), doorbell cameras, and robot vacuums. But the full list now covers every area of life.
Just a sample:
- Motion detectors
- Outdoor and indoor lights
- Child/pet monitors
- Thermostats and air conditioners
- Microwaves, refrigerators, and coffeemakers
- Bathroom scales
- Faucets, showerheads, and toilets
- Wheelchairs
- Medication dispensers
- Mattresses with adjustable firmness/temperature
- Robot floor mops
- Fitness equipment
- Garage-door openers
- Outdoor grills
- Bug zappers
Most smart homes include a “central hub” device which connects and manages all other devices.
Safety First
By now you may be thinking, “With all these options, how can I decide what I really need?” If you know little about smart appliances, you may also be thinking:
- “What if a smart lock glitches and traps me inside the house?”
- “What if a smart speaker misunderstands something and charges $500 to my bank card?”
- “What if a hacker gets control of the system?”
Your home automation specialist (contractor who installs the smart system) can answer specific questions. For basic digital security, here are a few Very Important Points everyone should know:
- Use a home automation specialist with a good record and good referrals. They can also recommend appropriate technology and where to get it.
- Never buy services/devices from anyone who cold-calls you.
- Review all security features thoroughly before committing to a smart-home system.
- Choose your passwords carefully. “Strong passwords” become even more hack-resistant (and easier to remember) if you edit in a few characters of your own. For example, if your childhood dog was named Spot, you can add “5p0TmyD0g” to the password thread.
- Password-management apps, which come with most operating systems, provide a secure option for organizing passwords. If you don’t want to use the built-in “Password Manager” or “Passwords” app, other options include 1Password and LastPass.
- Change your most important passwords every few months.
- Never share your access information.
See also our blog articles, “No Need to Fear” and “Cybersecurity 101.”
What Does Your Family Need?
When your smart-home system is secure, it can take care of your safety and health. Whether your top concern is fall detection, porch pirates, or remembering to turn off the oven, there’s technology that can help.
A good smart home also includes devices for chores, hobbies, and entertainment. If you’re unsure what would be best for your household, the following questions can help:
- What do you already have? Your current appliances may include “smart” features you hadn’t noticed.
- What are your family’s specific accessibility needs?
- How might these needs change in the future? This question is especially important if anyone has a progressive condition, or is under 12 or over 40.
- What’s your budget? Remember to include health-insurance and disability benefits for assistive technology.
- Are you a one-person household? If so, consider setting up a way to check in with someone else daily. Emergencies can happen at any age or ability level.
- What is the preferred learning curve? Where might setting up or using a device cause undue stress? Do you have a Digital Navigator or a tech-savvy (and patient) friend to help?
- Finally: Do you have definite plans for using the technology you are considering? Flashy impulse purchases just waste money and space.
See also our BridgingApps Accessible Home App List.
Other “Smart Home” BridgingApps Articles
- Staff Picks: Favorite Smart TV Apps (September 2024)
- Smart Screens and Smart Speakers: 4 Ways You Can Use Them at Home (March 2025)
- Accessible Homes Are High-Tech Homes (September 2025)