Speaking of artificial intelligence conjures up images of robots and high-tech interfaces that allow one to access the Internet just by thinking about it. The reality is that artificial intelligence is already around us, even in our homes.
The last two decades have been a time of great technological advances in the average home. From VCR’s that could be programmed ahead of time to record your favorite show to digital alarm clocks, smart technology has evolved to encompass entire homes that are wired throughout with artificial intelligence. One use of home-based AI is in the homes of the elderly.
Home automation systems in the homes of the elderly are gaining in popularity for the simple fact that they allow a level of monitoring and protection that can extend the amount of time the elderly can stay in their home before moving to an assisted care facility. Smart homes for the elderly contain interfaces that monitor movements and that learn to recognize their habits. Vital signs can be consistently monitored and, if trouble arises, the home can notify the appropriate parties, be their family members or the hospital.
These smart homes can also provide an added degree of security for the elderly. Not just a security system that’ll notify authorities if breached, the artificial intelligence in smart homes can recognize who is allowed access to the property and when. In addition, motion detectors inside the home can detect when the elderly move from room to room, turning on and off lights as appropriate, thus lessening the chance of any falls. Those with limited mobility can access a variety of functions via the interface using verbal commands.
Designed to be simple to use, artificial intelligence interfaces in homes of the elderly are gaining in popularity. While they may seem cost prohibitive, compared to the rising costs of assisted care facilities they are a more economical option.