Smart Tech for Older Adults

High-tech tools can help you maintain your independence. Here's how to use them to boost your health and make your daily life easier.

Ever wished that you could control the temperature in your home while you're lying sick in bed? How about checking at a glance to see if your blood sugar, heart rate, or blood pressure are in the right zone? Thanks to smart technology, now you can.

Tech can feel confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming for people who've lived the majority of their lives without it. But smart tech can be a valuable tool for older adults, says Liron Sinvani, M.D., a geriatric hospitalist at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health in New York.

For a product to be “smart,” it must combine hardware — which means a physical device like a phone, refrigerator, or camera — software that runs it, and access to the internet.

Modern technology can significantly improve your independence, safety, and social connections once you get past the initial learning curve. Take a moment to learn more about smart tech, including all the many ways it can be helpful for healthy aging.

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Smart Tech for Your Home

A Jetsons-style future has arrived. Some of these smart devices are useful to help you manage your own household more safely and smoothly, and some are particularly useful if you're a caregiver.

Lightbulbs. There are bulbs that turn on lights when motion is detected, like if you need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. You’ll see better and be less likely to fall. You can often modify your own lamps with a sensor to use them.

Video doorbell. Knock, knock. Who’s there? Now you’ll know before you answer the door with this device that shows you who’s on the other side. After it’s installed, you’ll get a phone alert when the camera detects movement. You can view the live feed on your smartphone from wherever you are.

Smoke detector. Hearing issues are common with age, and that can mean you won’t hear the smoke alarm if it goes off. A smart smoke detector connects to a phone app. If the alarm goes off, you and your chosen emergency contacts will receive a phone alert.

Vacuum. You can program these “robot vacuums” to run on a specific schedule — say Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at noon. It will automatically turn on and start cleaning. Sensors in the vacuum help it map out your home to make sure it doesn’t miss a spot. All you have to do is empty the bin occasionally.

TV. Smart televisions connect to the internet so you can watch shows on streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Some even come with a remote that you can speak into. Simply say the name of the show you want to watch, and the TV will find it for you.

Sensors. These devices detect movement. They could be in a pressure-sensing mat that you place outside a bedroom door or next to a bed. Some smart sensors can be placed on doors and windows too. Once movement is detected, you will get an alert on your smartphone, so you’ll know if your loved one is wandering in the middle of the night.

Smart Tech for Your Health

The pandemic put remote health options front and center, and that’s not expected to change.

"Telehealth is a great option for seniors because it can remove the hassle of getting to and from appointments," says Nancy Belcher, Ph.D., co-founder of Winona, an anti-aging wellness center, and head of the King County Medical Society in Seattle. "For some, especially those who are less mobile, that hassle may cause them to skip needed medical care."

Beyond virtual doctor’s appointments, here are several useful smart health tools you can use right at home.

Health monitors. If you have a health condition, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to track it yourself. There are options that can track your sleep schedule and breathing patterns, blood glucose, blood pressure, as well as wearable ECG monitors to check your heartbeat. The devices connect to an app on your smartphone so you can see your numbers in real time.

Pill box. After connecting it to your smartphone, the device lets you schedule alerts to remind you to take your meds. They also let you know how many of each pill to take. Sensors within the pill box can let you know if you’ve already taken your drugs. That means no more worrying about accidentally doubling your dose or skipping a day.

Fall detection devices. Falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults. Medical alert systems can contact help for you if you do fall. They can sense when you’ve taken a tumble and automatically alert your emergency contact.

Smart Tech for Your Workouts

Health tracking bands and smartwatches, like a Fitbit or an Apple Watch, can be great tools to keep your fitness goals on track.

Often called wearable fitness trackers, or wearables, they are worn on your wrist. They connect to an app on your phone, where you can see a log of all the data it collects about your health, including:

• How many steps you’ve taken or miles you’ve walked
• Number of calories burned
• Your ideal heart rate zone
• Your heart rate during exercise
• Number of stairs you’ve climbed
• Blood oxygen levels

We know it can be hard to jump on the tech bandwagon. If you want to try these devices but aren't sure how to set them up, don't be afraid to call the manufacturer or store for help. Or your grandchildren, who seem to have been born knowing all this stuff. You can also check out your local library for classes on using technology. You got this!

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