Is Home Automation Technology Being Under-Utilized by the Elderly?

Home Automation For Those With Mobilitythese stories rarely occur and the elderly tend to
Problemsbe very reluctant to embrace new technology.
Home technology has some fantastic benefits.If I may be so bold, I would like to offer some
Devices can make your home better to live in,ideas about why home automation has not been
the technologies can save energy, increasebetter-utilized by older people and those with
entertainment and allow tasks to be carried outdifficulty moving. firstly companies tend to market
more quickly. These benefits and many, manyhome automation to those that have a moderate
more are encouraging more people to implement'technical ability' and those with a moderate to high
automation technology within their homes.spending power, rather than those with mobility
I believe that these technologies could actuallyproblems. Secondly, home automation technology
benefit the elderly and those with mobilityoften requires installation, which can be a real
difficulties even more than the groups of peopleproblem for those with difficulty moving.
described above. Home automation technologyI believe that the best way to get automation
could give those who have trouble moving aroundproducts into the homes of elderly and disabled
the home more freedom and independence andpeople is to make their care givers aware of the
could make their care-givers lives much easier.benefits. That way the care giver can buy a
Imagine an elderly widow who, due to arthritis,product on behalf of the person, in the knowledge
has difficulty getting out of bed and movingthat it will make their lives easier.
around her bungalow. A remote control thatI hope this article will helped companies involved in
allowed her to control her TV, lighting, windowthe market increasingly target products and
blinds and electric bed without getting up wouldservices towards those with mobility problems, in
surely be a huge benefit and make the woman'sthe future.
life much easier. In my experience, however,