Alzheimers Independence

How a Smart Home Gives Alzheimers Independence.

Alzheimer’s independence is one of the most important care you can give to your loved one. The diagnosis with Alzheimers is news that nobody wants to hear. Primarily seeing our parents, or it could be a significant other. Living with Alzheimers disease presents unique challenges for both individuals and their caregivers. Our goal at Rancho Santa Fe Audio Video is to provide a reliable solution of autonomy and independence for your loved one.

However, advancements in technology and proven case studies of our past clients that we have installed their smart home solutions, offer significant support in managing the following:

1. daily routines,
2. enhancing safety,
3. promoting independence for those affected by Alzheimers.   

In this article, we will explore the profound benefits that a smart home can provide for individuals with Alzheimers, empowering them to live with increased autonomy and improved quality of life, all the while staying at home in an environment that is familiar to them.

Reminders and Assistance with Daily Routines for the individual:

The most challenging part for individuals is to remember important tasks and appointments. The Smart homes that we design here at Rancho Santa Fe Audio Video offer valuable assistance by providing automated reminders and alerts using the following. Voice-activated systems from Google, including in wall or portable table top smart speakers that become your loved ones virtual assistant.

We program them to provide gentle reminders for medication schedules, mealtimes, and important events. These reminders can help individuals maintain a sense of structure, independence, and reduce the reliance on caregivers 100 percent of the time. Another device that we implement is the TV screens around the house. They provide your loved one such as an Interactive calendars and digital whiteboards can display daily activities, ensuring a clear visual representation of the routine. For example; you are at the airport, you look up and see what time the plane is scheduled to leave. This gives your loved one what is happening next in their daily routine.

Home Safety and Security:

Wandering is a huge concern for individuals with Alzheimers, as it poses potential risks and safety issues. Our smart home technology that we install provides a bullet proof level of security to mitigate these risks. Motion sensors and door/window sensors are installed throughout the house, triggering alerts to caregivers on their smartphones when unexpected movement or attempts to exit occur.

Smart door locks from different manufactures such as August, Yale and 2gig that integrates with Bluetooth and the google home app is utilized to restrict access to certain areas or provide controlled entry, ensuring the individual’s safety while preserving their freedom to move within the home.

Discreet assistive Monitoring and Support:

Our smart home technology assists in monitoring the well-being and overall health of your loved one with Alzheimers. Wearable devices, such as  Smart tags, pendants, and wrist bands are part of what they wear disguised as a priceless broach in the shape of a butterfly. This is just one example to re-affirm that they are still independent. Our air tag turtle pendants is a second layer that can be worn anytime.

Their other function is to track vital signs and movements, providing caregivers with real-time

updates. Integration with health monitoring systems such as an apple watch, or Fit Bit can alert caregivers to changes in sleep patterns, activity levels, blood pressure monitoring or potential health emergencies, enabling timely intervention and support. We have a variety in our arsenal that fits every circumstance.

Continuous monitoring is crucial for individuals with Alzheimers, particularly in cases where you and the caregiver need a break, and want to leave them alone, unattended for periods of time. Our Smart home systems are integrated with motion sensors, as we mentioned previously wearable devices, and surveillance cameras to provide real-time monitoring. All this is done discreetly in the form of a favorite painting, teddy bear, or vintage radio on the shelf. This way, paranoia does not set in which is common. You and the Caregivers can remotely access live feeds and receive notifications regarding unusual activities or emergencies.

Assisted Wayfinding and Navigation:

Alzheimers often affects spatial orientation and can cause confusion, making it challenging for individuals to navigate their homes. Our smart home technology with google home can assist with wayfinding by implementing voice-guided directions and visual cues. This feature can be used remotely by yourself, or the caregiver on duty. This way a familiar voice is always there to assure your loved one they are not alone.

Our smart lighting systems from Lutron, or Leviton are programmed to guide individuals through the house, illuminating the path to key areas, such as the bathroom or bedroom, during nighttime hours. All of this is integrated with discreet motion sensors. This helps reduce disorientation and improves safety by preventing accidental falls.

Social Connection and Entertainment:

Isolation and loneliness can exacerbate the challenges faced by individuals with Alzheimers. With the implementation of our smart homes we help combat these issues by promoting social connection and providing entertainment options. Our video calling features enable easy communication with family and friends, fostering meaningful connections. Utilizing Spotify, Pandora, or other streaming services around the entire home has been a huge game changer in the care of your loved one. We can personalize music playlists, and use voice-controlled entertainment systems can offer moments of joy and relaxation, contributing to emotional well-being.

Studies have shown that music paired with dancing is the greatest way to remind our loved ones of the best times in their lives, even if its just for a few hours. In addition, it provides memory stimulation through dance. Why not dance with your loved ones. You just might learn a thing or two that you never knew about them from the past. Those moments are priceless.

Support For You And Caregivers Peace of Mind:

Our Smart home solutions not only benefit individuals with Alzheimers but also provide peace of mind to their caregivers. We touched upon this in the previous paragraph about our remote monitoring capabilities that allow caregivers to keep a watchful eye on their loved ones, even when they are physically apart.

This technology alleviates you the stress and worry, enabling caregivers to attend to their own needs and responsibilities while ensuring their loved ones are safe. The ability to remotely control and automate certain tasks within the home, such as adjusting temperature with the nest thermostats and locking doors, also offers convenience and eases the caregiving burden.

Conclusion:

With the integration of our WiFi system, our custom smart home designs have emerged as a powerful ally for individuals with Alzheimers, providing safety, support, and enhanced quality of life. The combination of advanced technology, automation, and connectivity helps individuals maintain their independence.

By embracing the benefits of smart home technology, we create a nurturing environment. Which gives dignity, improve daily routines, and foster a sense of security for those living with Alzheimers. With the assistive devices mentioned in the article, we integrate everything in to make everyday tasks manageable. While giving caregivers peace of mind, that their loved ones are safe and well-supported.

Let us help you on this journey that we here at Rancho Santa Fe Audio Video have been on since 1997 in the goal of having your loved one stay at home. Isn’t that what we all want?