Over the years, I have been slowly discovering ways to make my home safer and more accessible. But it was not until this past year that I began to explore voice-activated smart home technology. In the past, my moderate speech impediment would make it difficult to communicate with utilize virtual assistants. However, I found that by keeping my commands short, Alexa can understand me most of the time.
Here is a list of smart home devices that my family and I use.
Alexa Echo Dot
Every smart home needs a hub. There are a variety of options, including Google Nest, Amazon Alexa Echo Dot and the Apple Home Pod. I chose to go with the Alexa Echo Dot 3rd Generation and Alexa Echo Dot 4th Generation. They easily integrate with a variety of smart home devices, and can be controlled through an app on my phone. The app feature is particularly helpful when I am experiencing more difficulty speaking.
myQ Garage Door Opener
Whenever I go out by myself or with friends, I bring my walker for extra support. It can be difficult for me to get my walker over curbs and patio steps. This is why I use a ramp in the garage and go out the garage door. To open and close the garage door, I use a app on my phone instead of a garage door opener. The Smart Garage Opener allows me the freedom to come and go whenever I want with little fall risk.
Keypad Door Openers
Unlocking a door has always been a struggle, even with the assistance of adaptive keyholders. Some keyholders didn’t give me enough grip, while others gave me too much. Occasionally, the key would get stuck in the lock and I didn’t have the strength to force. By using door openers that have a keypad or recognize my fingerprint, I can easily get in and out of the house every time! I also feel confident that the door is locked when I go out by myself.
TREATLIFE Smart Ceiling Fan Control and Dimmer Light Switch
Navigating the dark, grogginess, and being prone to spasms are all factors that together can potentially lead to a fall. The TREATLIFE Smart Ceiling Fan Control and Dimmer Light Switch allows me to control the ceiling light while I am still in bed via my phone or speech command. That way I can focus on getting to where I need to go. The fan control is also a nice feature that allows me to turn off and on the ceiling fan without having to waste energy walking carefully to the light switch.
TREATLIFE Smart Dimmer Plug
In order to turn on my floor lamp, I have to reach up to twist a knob, which can throw me off balance. I typically use my floor lamp at night when I am reading, which is when I am at my most vulnerable to falling. That is why I decided to invest in a dimmer plug, so that I can control the lamp through my phone or my Alexa Echo Dot by voice command. I even have the light set up to turn on after my alarm goes off, so I can spend my energy preparing for the day, instead of using mental energy to avoid trip hazards.
Yoolax Smart Shades
My service dog’s bed lives in front of my bedroom window, forcing me to have to reach over the large dog bed to close or open the shutters and risk losing my balance. Since installing smart shades, I can enjoy the natural light in the daytime and keep my room dark whenever I want to take a nap or sleep in without the risk of falling.
To me, smart home technology is not just convenient. They help me perform everyday activities in a safer and more efficient way that saves me time and energy. Technology is always changing and so will my needs as I grow older, which is why I am excited to see how my smart home will evolve in the decades to come.
