The demographic profile in the US is increasing with households aged 55 and older and in less than ten years all baby boomers will be older than 65.  Florida is one of the states with the highest concentrations of senior households.  

With an aging population comes an increasing need for homes with aging-accessible features.  Research has shown that smart-home technologies and related services can help older adults make their daily tasks easier and improve their overall quality of life.  Smart homes are now offered to assist elderly and disabled persons more than ever before.

Many people already have lights, heating systems and other devices in their homes that can be managed or controlled from their smartphones.  While users of smart-home technologies can benefit in various ways, here are the top 10 smart technologies that seniors feel are most beneficial:  

1. Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
2. Wireless doorbell cameras
3. Keyless entry
4. Automatic lighting
5. Smart water shutoff valves
6. Smart home security systems
7. Smart outlets/plugs
8. Smart thermostats
9. Water and/or mold monitoring sensors
10. Smart window blinds

There are even more benefits of these smart technologies especially for those with specific health conditions.  Emerging new features such as smart beds and smart fall detection systems can make aging in place a safer and more viable option for seniors.

  Most older adults desire to age in place and the number of those seniors will increase in the next decade.  Technology will continue to play a significant role in enabling older adults to do just that.  

Some content courtesy of “The Economists’ Outlook” from the National Association of Realtors.