Living Your Way: Smart Home Technology for Independent Living
Home isn’t just where you live—it’s where you create memories, find comfort, and feel most at ease. A 2024 U.S. News & World Report survey found that 95% of adults aged 55 and older consider staying in their own home a top priority as they age. This desire to live independently at home for as long as possible has grown steadily over the past two decades, and fortunately, technology is keeping pace. Today’s innovations make aging in place not only possible but also safer and more supportive—for both older adults and their caregivers.
Aging at Home Safely
Aging in place offers many benefits, but it also comes with challenges—especially when it comes to falls. According to the CDC, one of the greatest risks to continuing to live at home as you age are falls that can lead to serious or fatal injuries:
25% of U.S. adults aged 65+ experience a fall each year.
Remaining on the ground for more than an hour after a fall increases the risk of death by 50% within six months.
In 2019, falls accounted for 88% of emergency room visits and hospitalizations among older adults.
Falls can be life-changing, but they aren’t inevitable. Staying physically active and exercising helps maintain strength and balance, and simple home modifications can reduce risks, such as:
Installing bright lighting in main traffic areas, including outdoors.
Ensuring floors have non-slip surfaces.
Adding grab bars in bathrooms and other high-risk areas.
Installing a Smart Home Care System that provides non-wearable fall detection and real-time caregiver and emergency services alerts.
The Limitations of Wearable Alert Devices
Some older adults use wearable medical alert devices to call for help if they fall or have another emergency. These devices, typically worn as a pendants or bracelet, provide an emergency button to connect users with call center operators who can dispatch help if needed. However, these devices have significant drawbacks:
Some older adults dislike wearing them, associating them with frailty and loss of independence.
Devices are often forgotten, left uncharged, or removed at night when falls are most likely.
Depending on the type of emergency, the person may not be unable to press the button for help.
False alarms can occur when devices are dropped or accidentally pressed, which often happen if the wearer bends or rolls over while sleeping.
A review of 33 studies in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that many users weren’t wearing their medical alert devices when an emergency occurred. Some hesitated to push the button, hoping the emergency would pass, fearing they would bother someone, end up in the hospital unnecessarily, or weren’t sure if their situation warranted help.
Fortunately, medical alert devices are no longer the only fall safety option to consider as you continue living in your home with all its surrounding memories. You can live life to the fullest and take charge of safety in your home in a new way with a Smart Home Care System.
The Next Generation of Fall Detection: The Smart Home Care Advantage
The good news is today’s technology is offering more natural solutions for older adults and their caregivers. A 2022 study by researchers at Iowa State University found that adding a Smart Home Care System can play an essential role in enabling older adults to continue living in their homes independently. Modern smart home care systems add overall safety to a home and unlike traditional wearable devices, these systems:
Are always on, requiring no charging, remembering, or wearing.
Use discreet sensors to monitor movement and detect falls, inactivity, or changes in routine.
Alert caregivers or emergency services automatically when needed.
Offer additional features like medication reminders and 24/7 emergency response.
Today’s Smart Home Care Systems are transforming safety for older adults who want to age in place by enhancing independence without intrusion while providing peace of mind for caregivers too.
What to Look for in a Smart Home Care System
When exploring smart home options for aging in place, consider these key features:
Ease of Use – Is the system simple to set up and operate? Does it effectively connect with caregivers and emergency services when needed?
Privacy Protection – Does it ensure personal data security and maintain privacy while monitoring safety?
Reliable Fall Detection – Can it accurately detect falls without requiring a wearable device? Is it smart and able to learn your patterns and detect anomalies?
Affordability – How affordable is the system, including upfront and monthly costs? Is there a trial period or refund option?
Experience the MyWisdom.io Difference
At Wisdom.io, we’ve reimagined smart home technology to empower older adults to age in place confidently. Our system features advanced fall detection—no wearable device required—and integrates seamlessly with the MyWisdom mobile app, providing caregivers with real-time alerts and automatic emergency response when needed.
Visit www.mywisdom.io to learn more.
With Wisdom.io, it’s not just about aging—it’s about living your way, independently and safely, in the home you love.