Technology is helping seniors live independently in smart homes
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I.: Technology is helping seniors stay in their homes longer. A touch of a button or a simple voice command makes it easier to be independent.
Aging in place is the goal behind a housing development being built in North Kingstown off of Route 1 for people 55 and older. It’s located in Reynolds Farm under development by h.a. Fisher Homes.
“The target demographic is indeed seniors, but it’s also for anybody who’s disabled,” said Alison Jacobson, a senior safety expert.
NBC 10 was invited inside of a smart home powered by Cox Communications featuring dozens of smart devices. For starters, it includes basic safety features like automatic door locks and surveillance cameras.
There are also more high-tech appliances, including a device that helps stroke patients walk by retraining their brains. It also has censors that allow loved ones to monitor patients’ movements remotely.
“It matters because so many patients especially neuro-survivors, they’re at such a high risk of falling. Let alone the geriatric population in general so to be able to have that comfort, that peace of mind when you’re not there in person with them 24/7 – it’s so important because you never want someone to be hospitalized,” said Lauren Rashford, director of clinical operations for Moterum Technologies.
Jacobson told NBC 10 she has some of the devices in her own home for her elderly mom who lives with her. She has a motion sensor near her mom’s bed that lets her know if she hasn’t gotten out of bed.
Her mom said she welcomes the technology.
“This would be an ideal place for anyone of any age because everything’s taken care of,” said Kathy Rumery, Jacobson’s mother.
The upgrades can add hundreds to thousands of dollars to the price of a home.
