How Can Technology Help the Elderly?
The term “home automation” refers to approaches for controlling, automating, and programming the home. It can be a valuable source of autonomy for those dependent, as long as they select the appropriate technology for their needs.
Characteristics and advantages of home automation for dependent people.
Able to adapt to the house’s technical constraints, meet the specific needs of dependent people, and evolve according to their disability, home automation has many advantages and functions.
It allows the remote control of electrical equipment in the home (lighting, heating, shutters, household appliances, doors, automated beds, etc.) according to the specific needs of dependent people or by following personalized scenarios.
Home automation also makes it possible to detect passages to automatically turn on the light and turn it off after a given time. It is also possible to install a lighting system to help visually impaired people move around.
To further enhance dependent persons’ safety, installing a room temperature detector, a smoke detector indicating the start of a fire, or a leak (water, gas, etc.) can be very interesting.
A remote assistance system, made up of a network of wireless sensors placed in the house, is also a fascinating device for PRM (person with reduced mobility).
Let’s take, for example, the PRM call system; it is a call system that allows a person with a disability to notify his wish to enter an establishment and, therefore, obtain the means to do so, usually an access ramp.
Some of them analyze movements to detect a possible fall, others the door opening to know when the dependent person leaves his home and returns. His relative or an assistance center is immediately alerted via SMS or email in case of a problem.
Home automation equipment for dependent persons
The interaction of multiple pieces of equipment inside a home automation system controlled by a dedicated central unit is the foundation of home automation for dependent individuals.
The control unit
A control unit (or home automation box) links all the implemented systems and controls them. The interaction of multiple pieces of equipment inside a home automation system controlled by a dedicated central unit is the foundation of home automation for dependent individuals.
These scenarios are numerous. They can be pre-programmed or created according to needs and, of course, modified at any time. Their purpose is to relieve the dependent person of many daily tasks, limit unnecessary gestures, and ensure their safety. The shutters or blinds can automatically go up in the morning. The coffee machine can be turned on; the windows can be opened at a specific time to air a particular room and then closed again (but also more quickly in case of bad weather).
If the dependent person forgets to close a window or turn off the water supply, a sound or light signal indicates this. And if the problem persists, the closure can be done automatically or remotely controlled by a helper or a relative via a simple smartphone, tablet, or computer.
More generally, the information transmitted by the various detectors and accessories (cameras, alarms, etc.) is analyzed to alert an outside person via SMS or email if necessary.
The detectors
Opening and movement detectors allow checking that doors and windows are closed in the evening, for example, but also to alert if they do not detect the return of the dependent person after an exit. Others are designed to turn on the lights when a person passes by automatically.
Technical, they take the form of smoke detectors, gas detectors, water detectors, etc. In addition, there may be detectors for the failure of domestic equipment (refrigerator, boiler, etc.).
Cameras
Cameras film strategic locations in the home, even in complete darkness for some. Some models include a microphone and a loudspeaker to communicate with the dependent person. You need to connect to the Internet to see what is happening in real-time (or even record it) and move the cameras.
Automation
The automation allows programming the opening and closing of windows, shutters, etc. In the event of a problem, the house’s exits can be automatically unlocked to allow the passage of help. Everything is possible and depends on your budget.
