generation of home-improvement projects
that benefit the young, the young at heart
and everyone in between.
TechnologEASE: 7 Life-Simplifying Smart-
Home Gadgets for Thriving in Place
Smart-home technology isn't just for tech-
savvy homeowners or those with an in-
house technical team — i.e., kids. In fact, the
current generation of smart-home gadgets
is providing comfort, convenience and
safety to a huge variety of homeowners,
from first-home couples to retirees. Here
are the top seven smart-home technologies
that are making it possible to thrive in
place—regardless of age:
Planning ahead to address the needs of an
aging population is not a challenge. Rather
an exciting opportunity to create as much
functional equity as financial equity.
This checklist contains other features you
may want to consider for aging in place. It
also provides a quick reference for various
aging-in-place issues. Because this list is
not comprehensive, it's best to also consult
with a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist.
To find one in your area, go to nahb.org/
capsdirectory.
Safety
New parents or retirees—everyone
deserves peace of mind.
1. Smart Locks: Smart locks are Wi-
Fi enabled locks that allow you
to lock or unlock doors remotely,
receive alerts when someone enters
your home and share virtual keys
with friends and family. You can also
integrate smart locks into your smart-
home security system to automatically
lock your doors each night.
2. Smart Home Security: A monitored
smart security system will give you
peace of mind while you're at home
or away on vacation. You can also
integrate extra features like smart
fire alarms and leak detectors into
you smart home security system to
increase your home's safety.
Accessibility
More convenience in more of
your home.
3. Smart Lighting: Set the mood
for a dinner party, automate timers
to light up your home while you're
away on vacation or schedule your
exterior lights to come on at night.
You can also sync your smart lighting
with voice-activated devices to
help prevent falls, bumps and other
accidents that are common at night or
in dark rooms.
Aginginplace.com is a
comprehensive web-site with
a wealth of resources and
ideas for people thinking of
this next stage.
