Page 39 - Green Builder Magazine May-June 2019 Issue
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SMART HOMES Techno-curator. Products like Samsung’s SmartThings hub help ASSISTED
turn a house into an Intuitive Home, capable of optimizing
performance, resource use, security and comfort.
LIVING
TECHNOLOGY
COURTESY OF SAMSUNG
with sensors, cameras, lighting, HVAC, water heating, water monitoring, UNOBTRUSIVE SOLUTIONS FOR ENHANCED INDEPENDENCE
appliances, irrigation and even vehicles. The Intuitive Home performs many functions in the background to do
This type of “Intuitive Home” doesn’t just respond to a homeowner’s things like conserve energy, shut o water when leaks are detected, and
commands and make household tasks easier. Rather, it is programmed turn on ventilation fans when air quality is compromised—chores that
to optimize performance, resource use, security, and comfort, increasing residents may not have the mobility or state of mind to handle on their own.
the home’s sustainability and enhancing the homeowner’s wellbeing. At the same time, these systems can be linked to everyday devices that
already exist in homes, such as controls, appliances, TVs, motion sensors,
THE COST-BENEFIT OF CONNECTED LIVING humidity gages, and thermostats.
Smart home technologies aren’t just for younger generations. With a Software companies such as Billy are leveraging sophisticated smart
record 46 million people age 65 and older in the United States today home hubs, including Samsung SmartThings, to find new ways of
(projected to grow to over 67 million by 2050), technology for active correlating data and behavior to provide non-invasive monitoring of seniors.
adults that facilitates aging in place is an exploding segment of the Take for example, a monitoring situation over a certain period of time
market. (let’s say 18 hours): a sleep sensor recognizes that a female occupant hasn’t
From a numbers standpoint, the cost-benet analysis of investing in gotten out of bed; the smart refrigerator senses that it hasn’t been opened;
connected living is substantial: while outtting a home with technology the water monitoring system recognizes that the sink hasn’t been turned
targeted at active adults who want to age in place may cost thousands of on; the TV notices that the occupant hasn’t watched the news, which she
dollars, placing a loved one in an assisted living facility or nursing home typically does every day; and the pill dispenser senses that the woman
can cost tens of thousands of dollars per month. hasn’t taken her medication.
The functionality of active adult-focused technology is rapidly These devices send this information to the central SmartThings hub
expanding to offer essential real-time feedback and reminders. For and Billy software, which compiles this information, along with other
example, motion sensors can track the speed and frequency of movement recent activity. Noting abnormal and potentially worrisome behavior, the
throughout a home to assess an occupant’s mobility; cameras can allow technology hub sends an alert to the woman’s daughter and doctor, so that
occupants to stay in touch with loved ones for enhanced safety and they can check on the woman and, if necessary, provide immediate care.
socialization; and alerts and prompts can be set to remind occupants to While still in a relatively nascent stage, the promise and possibilities
take medicine, lock doors, turn on security systems, and check in with of aging in place technology continue to expand, oering unobtrusive
their healthcare providers. solutions for enhanced freedom, safety, security, and awareness for all
Using technology designed for aging in place, homeowners—and their generations, including active adults and their loved ones.
loved ones—can monitor vitals, existing conditions, abnormalities that Perhaps the benets and conveniences delivered by these enabling
might indicate complications that come with aging, and even irregular technologies can mitigate some of the fear and discomfort associated
behaviors before they turn into emergency situations, providing with aging, making the process of aging in place a positive, peaceful
instantaneous connectivity to healthcare professionals when needed. experience. GB
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