How Smart Tech and Design are Helping Seniors to Safely Age in Place


Photo by Nicolas J Leclercq on Unsplash

The number of seniors living alone in Singapore is rising, and it’s estimated that an astounding 83,000 senior-aged individuals will be living on their own by the year 2030. However, thanks to technological integration within the home, many seniors are likely to stay independent for much longer. From voice assistants to high-tech home security, there are many smart tech devices with equally as smart designs that can allow for someone to age in place as safely as possible.

Voice assistants

Voice assistants like Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa have been around for a while, and are built to help users with a myriad of situations from setting reminders to alarms and everything in between. However, because of many voice assistant’s smart design, it can be placed anywhere in the home and be easily accessible and beneficial, especially when it comes to seniors. For instance, seniors can use a voice assistant to remind them when to take medication, as well as remind them of upcoming plans in their schedule (such as when a caregiver is due to stop by). Seniors who are at risk for falling can also use a voice assistant to call for help without even having to press a button, making it an easy to control system that can bring peace of mind to worried caregivers and family members alike. 

Smart home security

Smart home security is becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. With video surveillance systems now designed to be able to connect and stream live feed directly to your smartphone, many feel much safer when leaving their house. However, for seniors who are living alone, smart home security options can offer a different advantage. For instance, video doorbell systems connected to a smartphone can allow those who experience mobility issues to assess who is at the door without risking a fall by rushing to answer it — though there are even more benefits to consider. 

Some systems, like the Ring doorbell, allow the user to see and even talk to a visitor through their smartphones as well, which can make seniors feel even safer by knowing exactly who is stopping by, and allowing for safe communication between them and the person on the other side of the door — without ever having to unlock it. Such video doorbell systems have even helped to reduce crime in addition to acting as a deterrent for criminals; a 2015 Los Angeles Police Department pilot program found that they actually significantly reduced burglaries in neighborhoods by as much as 55% in a period of seven months.

Innovations in technology have brought a myriad of beneficial aspects that not only benefit the general population but the elderly population as well. With that said, many technological advances coupled with their smart design can be quite beneficial when it comes to allowing seniors to age in place in an easier way.

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