Hard family conversations are a normal part of life. For so many adult children, one of the hardest is the discussion that determines where aging parents will live. Everything from physical mobility challenges to cognitive decline can make adult kids think they have no other choice but to move Mom and Dad out of the house they have loved for decades. But there may be another way: smart home tech.
Moving aging parents might make sense, but doing so often breaks their hearts. Seniors view their homes as the last vestiges of independence. Their homes are also full of memories they do not want to give up. Fortunately, modern smart home automation and security make it possible for some seniors to continue aging in place.
It’s possible to leverage home automation and security to create a passive, non-intrusive safety net for parents. They can continue living in the home they love while adult children can keep an eye on them. If there is ever an emergency, help is but a push-button away.
Autonomy, But With Awareness
The biggest advantage of home automation and security is the ability to create a protective shield around Mom and Dad without invading their privacy. Consider something as simple as entry and motion sensors. Nearly every home security system includes them, according to Vivint.
Entry sensors are placed on windows and doors. Motion sensors provide more-than-adequate coverage across an entire room. Both types of devices offer an additional level of security without requiring video cameras.
Let’s say Mom and Dad are usually in the kitchen making breakfast by 8 AM. A home automation system can send an alert to an adult child’s phone letting her know that the motion sensor in the kitchen has been activated. If no alert has been sent by 9 AM, someone can call to check on them.
Automated Safety Features
Senior parents benefit the most from automated safety features built into their systems. A good example is automated lighting. Adult children can program lights to illuminate at certain times of the day, guaranteeing senior parents are never walking through a dark home. They can install motion-sensitive lighting in bathrooms and along exterior walkways, making sure there is always plenty of light without wasting energy.
A big fear of many adult children is a parent not locking the door. A system can be programmed to alert that the front door has remained unlocked for a certain amount of time. With the tap of a smartphone, an adult child can lock things up. And if Mom and Dad ever inadvertently lock themselves out, the door can be unlocked remotely.
Friction Is Always Possible
There are so many ways home automation and security can help senior parents age in place. But friction is always a possibility. One of the biggest pain points is overcoming that initial resistance by parents. Resistance is normal. Parents don’t like to feel as though they are being babied or constantly watched by their adult kids. It can take some time for them to fully understand that you can create a safety net without invading their privacy.
Another pain point is financial. Senior parents often feel a loss of dignity when their kids spend money on them. One way to address it is to share the financial responsibility. Parents and kids can split the cost of the equipment and any monthly subscription.
Given the alternative, I’m guessing most aging parents would be willing to have a home automation system installed. If home automation and security allows them to age in place and any resulting friction can be overcome.
