Smart devices for the home include induction cooktops, sensor lights and camera doorbells
My mom’s rejection of technology is something I often embrace. Together, we usually shun anything high tech. That recently changed when my husband installed a talk-to-text app on my phone.

At age 93, my mom can’t hear well — even with hearing aids. On my weekly visits, I shout so she hears me. She (somehow) learned to read lips. Despite that, following a conversation is next to impossible. The talk-to-text app allowed her to read the conversation, follow along and converse with her aide and me. Participating in the conversation made the visit for all of us enjoyable.
“The more older adults use technology, they see and understand the benefits.”
“A lot of older adults are reluctant to use technology,” says Susan Nasberg-Abrams, program manager of Life Home Tech for the Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD). “That’s changing. We don’t want to accept we can’t do everything by ourselves. When they see how helpful certain devices and technologies are, they understand it provides independence and safety.”
A Pew Research Center study found adoption of key technologies between older adults and younger people has significantly narrowed. “The more older adults use technology, they see and understand the benefits,” Nasberg-Abrams says.
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JSDD works closely with the Jewish Community Housing Corporation (JCHC) to inform older adults about technological options for use in their homes. What started as a pilot program to support individuals with developmental disabilities, it expanded in the fall of 2024 to include older adults so they could remain more independent while managing daily activities safely.
These tech solutions are on view at one of JCHC’s Village Apartments in South Orange, New Jersey. “The demo apartment was established to show residents, their families and their caregivers a chance to see firsthand how smart technology can be integrated into their homes to make life safer, healthier and more connected,” Nasberg-Abrams says.
The technology on display serves many functions, including:
- Communication and Social Interaction: Devices empower older adults to stay connected with loved ones, which reduces isolation. Many of these devices are synched to a caregiver’s phone; if someone falls or if a pilot light on the stove stays on, or water in a tub is about to overflow, caregivers will receive a message on their phone.
- Medication Administration and Health Management: Tools like electronic medicine dispensers and smart toothbrushes ensure older adults take their medication on time and monitor their health more effectively each day.
- Safety at Home: Technologies such as Ring doorbells help alert caregivers or family members if there’s a potential safety issue.
- Daily Living Skills: With smart solutions on electronic devices such as cell phones and iPads, older adults can better manage daily tasks, fostering a greater sense of independence.
- Community Engagement:Residents are encouraged to use technology like Amazon’s Alexa to set reminders to keep up with social obligations in their community and better access essential resources.
Smart Tech Examples
The model apartment was equipped with a number of items that are easy to use. Here are a few:
- Induction cooktops provide a safer way to cook with less risk of getting burned and or starting a fire. “One of our tenants who loves to cook,” Nasberg-Abrams says, “wanted to cook on her own, but her aide said she kept leaving the pilot lights on the stove on. So, she got an induction cooktop that automatically turns off when the pot is removed. It’s a safe option.” Induction cooktops sell for about $100. A friend purchased one for her mom who often forgot to turn off the pilot lights on the stove. She likes that there’s no chance of gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning and that they’re very easy to use.
- Water sensors detect water leaks or spills. The Water Leak Detector Sensor Alarm retails for $12. Another option is the Govee WiFi Water Sensor, which retails at $40 for two; it sends an alert to a caregiver’s cell phone.
- Automatic shampoo and conditioner dispensers are low tech and you’ve probably seen them in some hotels. They work by placing your hand under the dispenser and a targeted amount of shampoo or conditioner comes out. These items retail for about $46.
- Automatic soap dispenser is another low-tech device that retails for about $26 and works the same way as the automatic shampoo and conditioner dispenser.
- Motion sensor lights allow you to see at night. Lights can automatically be set to turn on when you get up from bed in the middle of the night. Nasberg-Abrams recommends amber lights because they provide enough light without fully waking you up. Motion sensor lights are available at hardware stores and cost as little as $35 for a set of three.
- On-the-Go lights clip on to mobility devices such as a wheelchair or walker. These small flashlights turn on with a gentle push of a button and retail for about $15.
- Automatic can openers and automatic jar openers are low-tech items you place on cans and jars. They work by pushing a button and cost about $30 each.
- Keypads provide an alternative to lock and unlock doors without using a key. You have to remember a pass code to enter your apartment. They range in price from $35 up to $150.
- Ring doorbells have built-in cameras so you can see who is at the front door. They start at $49.99.
- iPads and the Amazon Echo can be programmed with voice reminders to take your pills, brush your teeth and other daily tasks.
- Medicine dispensers enable self-medication at set times during the day. Most hold 28 doses of dry medication, allowing up to seven days of four-times a day dosing. These lockable devices can provide automated visual and audio alerts. They range in price from as low as $50 to as high as $400. The more expensive dispensers offer clocks, fingerprint access so children can’t open them, alarms and WiFi, so you can program your phone with a reminder to take your pills.
Don’t Forget Wearables
A number of older adults wear Apple watches and other devices designed to alert caregivers and emergency services if they’ve fallen. Caregiver contacts must be programmed into the device so caregivers will receive an alert on their cell phones.
“We don’t push any technology,” Nasberg-Abrams says. “Instead we ask, ‘What are your goals?’ We start with one skill and build from there depending on the situation. Everyone should be comfortable. Once they see what works for them, there’s wide acceptance.
Michele C. Hollow Michele C. Hollow is a freelance writer, editor and ghostwriter specializing in health, climate, social justice, pets and travel. Her book, Jurassic Girl, about the life of paleontologist Mary Anning, was published in September 202
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