Smart home technology has been rapidly expanding and improving in recent years, and among the most popular of these tech upgrades are smart lighting solutions. These intelligent systems not only offer convenience and energy efficiency but are particularly beneficial for seniors, providing an element of safety and enhancing independence. Incorporating schedules for smart lights can create a safer environment for older adults, minimising risks associated with limited vision, mobility issues, and memory loss. In this article, we delve into how to effectively schedule smart lights for a safer home environment for seniors.
Smart lighting systems give users the ability to control lighting remotely via a smartphone, tablet, or voice command device like Google Home or Amazon Alexa. Scheduling the lights on a regular daily routine, or a more complex program that adapts to the senior’s habits, is a central feature of these systems.
Scheduling can be used for safety measures such as ensuring the house is properly lit when the senior is moving about, particularly early in the morning or late at night. Lights can also be programmed to brighten gradually in the mornings and dim in the evenings to mimic natural daylight patterns. This type of scheduling can be highly beneficial to seniors who may have disrupted sleep patterns or suffer from seasonal depression. It can also discourage potential burglars by creating the impression of occupation even when no one is home.
Scheduled smart lights provide night-time safety by illuminating hallways, bathrooms, and kitchen areas. It minimizes the chance of trip and fall accidents. Using motion sensors paired with smart lights can further enhance safety. For instance, if a senior gets up for a bathroom trip in the middle of the night, the movement can trigger the hallway and bathroom lights and guide their way safely.
Scheduling can be worked according to the lifestyle of the senior. For example, if a senior tends to read before bed, a smart light next to their reading chair can be scheduled to increase brightness around their usual reading time. Similarly, kitchen lights can be scheduled to brighten during meal prep times.
Smart bulb’s scheduling can also be event-oriented rather than time-based. For example, a “arriving home” schedule can be created which turns on the porch, entryway, and living room lights when a senior’s smartphone is detected arriving home. Another example of event-oriented scheduling is integrating the smart lights with a smart security system. In case of an intrusion alert, the smart lights can be programmed to flicker, potentially scaring off intruders.
For individuals living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, scheduled smart lights can be a beacon of normality and routine, reducing anxiety levels. Lights of different colors can be programmed for different times of day. This visual cue can help those with memory loss recognize the time of day and assist them in sticking to their schedule.
However, schedule times should be adjusted according to seasonal changes due to the transition of dusk and dawn times. A few systems adjust schedule times automatically based on geographic location and the calendar, but for other systems, manual adjustments might be needed. It’s advised to have a carer or family member responsible for these schedule adjustments if the senior is unable to do so themselves.
A point to consider when choosing a smart lighting system is whether it has a “random” setting. This setting randomly turns lights on and off in different rooms, giving the impression the house is occupied, a useful feature for when the resident is not home.
In order to set up a smart light system, the user-friendly applications provided by these systems guide the process, allowing rules and schedules to be set on a smartphone or tablet. However, more complex set-ups like integrating the smart lights with other smart devices or setting up more complex schedules might require professional help.
In conclusion, scheduling smart lights can create a safer, more comforting environment for seniors, whether living alone or with others. With smart lights, users can create a lighting environment catered to their specific needs, build routines, and add an additional layer of home safety. The use of scheduled smart lights translates into improved independence, enhanced safety, and ultimately, a better quality of life for seniors living at home.
