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    Aging-in-Place Tech

    Stay home longer, safer, more connected.

    Fall prevention + detection

    • Apple Watch SE ($249) — fall detection, calls 911 if you don't move.
    • Medical Guardian / MobileHelp — pendant button, $30-50/mo.
    • Motion-activated lights — $20 plug-in for hallways/bathroom.
    • Bed-fall sensors — Apply XSensor, Roselink — $50-200.
    • Grab bars + non-slip mats — most falls are in the bathroom.

    Smart home for seniors

    • Smart doorbell — see who's at door from phone. Don't open for strangers.
    • Smart locks — let in caregiver/family with code, no keys.
    • Echo Show — voice control + video calls + photo frame.
    • Smart smoke/CO detectors — Nest, First Alert. Notify family if alarm.
    • Smart plugs — auto-off space heater after 4 hours (fire prevention).
    • Smart thermostat — family monitors. Warns if home gets too hot/cold.

    Remote monitoring (with consent)

    • Alexa Together ($20/mo) — caregiver app sees Echo activity (no audio). Fall detection. Emergency button.
    • People Power Family — sensors track door-opens, fridge-opens, motion. Detect changes that suggest a fall.
    • CarePredict — wrist wearable tracks daily routine. Flags changes (skipped meals, wandering).
    • Wyze cameras — $30. Caregiver checks in by video.
    • Always discuss BEFORE installing. Never surveillance without consent.

    Medication management

    • Hero pill dispenser ($45/mo) — auto-dispenses pills at correct times. Calls family if missed.
    • Medisafe app (free) — phone reminders + family alerts.
    • MedMinder pill box ($40/mo) — locks compartments until time. Beeps + flashes.
    • Amazon Pillpack — pre-sorted by dose time, delivered. Free with most insurance.

    Connection (most important)

    • Echo Show / Nest Hub Max — easy video calls.
    • Digital photo frame — family sends photos, appears automatically.
    • GrandPad — simplified tablet for video calls + photos.
    • Schedule weekly recurring video call — same time, same day.
    • Loneliness is a bigger health risk than smoking. Tech alone won't fix it — but it helps.

    Free home assessments

    Many Area Agencies on Aging do FREE in-home safety assessments. They check for fall hazards, suggest grab bars, recommend tech. Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116. AARP HomeFit Guide is also free at aarp.org/homefit.