HomeTechHacker: How Technology Can Help You Age in Place

Smart deadbolt

By Marlon Buchanan

Most of us hope to stay in our own homes for as long as possible. Familiar surroundings, neighbors, and routines can provide comfort and independence as we get older. While technology can't replace family, friends, or healthcare, it can help remove some of the everyday challenges that become more common over time.

You don't need to turn your home into a high-tech showcase. A few well-chosen devices can make daily life a little easier and provide peace of mind for both you and your family.

"Did I Lock the Front Door?"

It's a question many of us have asked after leaving the house or settling in for the evening.

A smart lock can help eliminate that uncertainty. Many models can automatically lock at a scheduled time or after a certain number of minutes, helping ensure your home stays secure even if you forget. If you arrive home without your keys, you can unlock the door with a code, a smartphone, or in some cases even your fingerprint. You can get one that also unlocks with traditional keys.

I appreciate this feature myself. My smart deadbolts automatically lock each evening, and if I ever leave my keys inside, I have several other ways to get back into the house.

"I Don't Want to Walk Through a Dark House"

Falls are one of the biggest concerns as we age, and poor lighting can make them more likely.

Smart lighting makes it easy to automatically turn lights on at sunset, brighten hallways during the evening, or provide low-level lighting overnight for trips to the bathroom. Motion-activated lights can also illuminate stairs or hallways without anyone needing to find a light switch.

These small conveniences can make moving around the home both easier and safer.

"I'm Afraid I'll Forget Something Important"

Many of us find ourselves relying on reminders more than we did years ago. That's completely normal.

Voice assistant

Voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant can announce medication reminders, appointments, birthdays, or even remind you to take the trash to the curb each week. Smart displays can also show upcoming calendar events, weather forecasts, family photos, and daily schedules in one easy-to-read location.

The goal isn't to remember more. It's to let technology remember some of those routine tasks so you can focus on the things that matter most.

"What If I Fall?"

Wearable devices have become remarkably capable over the past few years.

Many smartwatches now include automatic fall detection. If the watch detects a serious fall and you don't respond, it can automatically contact emergency services or notify family members. Some devices can also monitor heart rate, irregular heart rhythms, and other health information that may be useful to discuss with your doctor.

No technology is perfect, but these features can provide an added layer of confidence for people living independently.

"I Want My Family to Worry Less"

Technology can also make it easier to stay connected.

Video calling has become much simpler thanks to smart displays and tablets that allow family members to connect with just a few taps or even voice commands. Shared digital photo albums let children and grandchildren automatically send recent pictures that appear on a display in your home.

Sometimes the greatest benefit helping families stay in touch more often.

Start with One Problem

One lesson I've learned over the years is that the best technology solves a specific problem.

Rather than trying to automate your entire home, think about the one challenge that would make the biggest difference in your daily life. Maybe it's remembering medications, making your home safer at night, or staying connected with family. Start there, see how it fits into your routine, and expand only if it continues to provide value.

I've written in more detail about several of these ideas, including additional smart home features that can help people remain independent, on my HomeTechHacker website and in my book Life by Design.

If you're interested in learning more but aren't sure where to begin, organizations like the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center and the Lake City Seniors Computer Labs and Technology Program offer resources and assistance to help older adults become more comfortable with today's technology.

Technology won't solve every challenge that comes with aging, but thoughtfully chosen tools can make everyday life a little easier, a little safer, and help many people continue enjoying the comfort and independence of home for years to come.

Marlon Buchanan

Marlon Buchanan is a best-selling author, technology educator, and founder of HomeTechHacker.com, where he helps people make technology simpler, safer, and more useful in everyday life.

If you have questions or comments about this article, you can contact Marlon through his website or X (Twitter).