Home automation systems use technology in the home to help complete tasks automatically, making tasks easier for those that live there. It is technology you don’t see and it makes your home life better, easier or more safe.
For anyone that has followed the site very long, you know we focus heavily on the home. Many people may wonder, “Why would I care about using technology to handle stuff I can do?” We’re glad you asked.
Home automation is a natural fit
Automation was conceived to make people’s lives easier, their home more functional and to enhance the enjoyment of their home. The home automation technology available today takes that a step further and allows people to live more safely in their home. It can be used to provide relief or assistance for tasks, safety and make your home easier to live as you grow older. And, it can do that for you now, too … regardless of your age.
That is what aging in place is all about, isn’t it? Being safe at home and maintaining your quality of life as you age.
Through the use of the different kinds of devices, you can create a system that not only controls many things in your home, but also helps keep you and your home safe. This includes devices you might have already heard of or seen, such as automated lighting, thermostats, doors and others. For aging in place, you can increase the level of safety in the home by adding more automated lighting, sensors to track certain activities, video at entrances, automated drop-down shelves and more.
Home automation systems are here to stay
Home automation systems technology is advancing at an incredible rate and it is just getting easier to use. There have been so many new products that have hit the market in just the last six months and what we’re seeing is amazing. One very important thing to note is that in the past you’ve had to rely on professional installers and could expect not only installation fees but monthly bills for service as well. With the technology available now, you don’t have to. Obviously, there may be services you want to pay for, such as fire or emergency monitoring. But, today, you can setup a home automation system, own the equipment and have it be designed around your lifestyle with less, or no, ongoing fees. (We’re going to be covering more on these types of systems soon.)
We’re excited about what home automation can do right now for people and are committed to not only covering it, but also being involved in the growing home technology community. Check out our new home automation section and some of our recent posts (links below). If you know of anyone in the home technology market that has interest in aging in place, point them our way. If you are, get in touch… we’d love to talk with you.
I agree technology will play an important part in home safety . As a Master Electrician an owner of Next Monitoring inc Medical Alerts I am working to combine my experience in technology into a medical alert systems
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Raymond. I’d love to hear more about what you’re doing sometime. Drop me a note and let me know if you get the chance.
My husband built a home for my mom 12 years ago. Mom uses a walker, so we installed a Remote Control Deadbolt by simply replacing the “thumb-turn”– keeping her same key and exterior portion of the deadbolt on her door. Mom lets in the maid from her easy chair by just pushing the button on her “remote door fob”….electronically operating the deadbolt with encrypted RFID–just like car key fobs and garage door openers have for years.
Mark, you are right about, “Home automation systems are here to stay”. I’m currently trying to figure out how I can add a system to my product mix. (GrandCare or Independa). What kind of information do you have, if any, on these two companies?