With the advent of the smart home, retirees who wish to spend their golden years in their own homes bring together “smart” technologies to extend the window for independent living as they grow older. 2030, adults 65 and up are expected to reach 20% of the total US population (23% in Europe), and 75% of adults over 50 want to remain in their homes and communities as they age. For the first time in history, we will have more retirement age adults than we do children. As our aging population increases in size, it’s more important now than ever to embrace these new alternatives to traditional retirement and nursing homes and provide safety and comfort to those who wish to age in place.
For caregivers to aging loved ones, it is normal to want to be there for them and offer the best care possible. But it is important for all to avoid burnout by finding ways of lightening the workload. Caregiver burnout resulting in depression affects 20 to 40% of all caregivers.
Family caregivers spend an average of 24.4 hours per week providing care. Nearly 1 in 4 caregivers spends 41 hours or more per week providing care. According to a 2012 Gallup poll, the types of care most commonly provided are tasks such as running errands, helping out with repairs around the house, and performing housework chores. Some of it can be simplified with the use of new technology.
One of the biggest impacts of caregiving is loss of free time. Many caregivers feel their loved one is completely dependent on them and feel guilty leaving them. Some limit their time away as a result, some feel totally socially isolated. Caregivers who do not have time for themselves feel trapped, whereas those who are able to leave and take part in activities are happier. Remote monitoring lets caregivers stay in contact and be alerted on incidents when they are not physically present.
Sensative offers a variety of different sensors that facilitate the transition with options that enable independence and freedom. Caregivers, whether they are adult children of aging parents or private nurses, are opting for smart technologies that allow them to monitor remotely providing care and protection from a distance, somewhat easing their burdens. Sensative’s Z-Wave and LoRaWAN families of products offers the most technically advanced solution.
Occupancy comfort is especially important for the elderly. Our multi-sensor monitors humidity, temperature and light to automate climate control without anyone lifting a finger. Pair a Strips MS +Comfort with a thermostat or ceiling fan to ensure the perfect temperature 24 hours a day. Save energy by ensuring thermostats are always set to the appropriate level so occupants are never too cold and never too warm, and AC or heating systems are not running unnecessarily. Fluctuations in temperature of just 1 degree can reduce energy costs by 4%. Comfort can also be paired with automated window blinds to adjust settings based on the ambient light in the room.
It is essential to stay on top of your loved ones’ activity to ensure they are safe. Use our magnetic contact sensor, Strips MS +Guard, mounted on medicine cabinets, refrigerator doors, or any interior door to monitor activity or lack thereof. If an occupant hasn’t opened a monitored door in a specific period of time, remote caregivers can be alerted that they may not be eating, drinking, or taking their medications. If refrigerator doors are not closed completely, food may spoil, energy costs may rise, and occupants could become at risk of consuming unsafe foods.
Water damage is one of the most common and expensive catastrophes US households endure. The average cost for water damage repair is US$3,000 to US$7,500, but can be considerably higher.
Use Strips MS +Drip under washers, sinks, refrigerators, and behind toilets to be alerted to water leaks that could cause devastating damage to floors and walls. Strips Drip also measures temperature, so they can be mounted on pipes to detect leaks and report freezing temperatures, alerting caregivers to potentially dangerous conditions.
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Our family of sensors can be found and ordered via our webshop. For larger quantities or if you want to discuss your needs, please contact us and we will guide you through the process.
If you are interested in employing our IoT DiMS platform Yggio, want to see a demo, or need help tailoring a solution for your specific needs, contact our sales team to evaluate your possibilities and requirements.
