Even with the support of an incredible occupational therapist, individuals living with disabilities in Calgary still face a set of daily challenges, even within the familiar surroundings of their own homes.
Fortunately, home automation technology has made significant advances in enhancing the functionality of homes and improving their quality of life.
Homeowners who are disabled can now enjoy more dignity, comfort, and convenience than ever before, thanks to the implementation of automated home devices designed to cater to their individual needs. As accessibility experts, we believe that every homeowner deserves to fully enjoy every corner of their living space, regardless of physical ability; by incorporating home automation technology, homeowners can take full advantage of these powerful new tools to do that and so much more.
What is an Automated Home?
An automated home, also known as a smart home, is a house that utilizes advanced technology and connectivity to control and automate various features and functions. The concept is very fitting for Calgary, a city widely considered to be the next tech hub of Canada.
To create an automated home, various components and devices are installed and integrated into the home’s design, electronics, and layout. This can include things like smart thermostats, lighting systems, security cameras, and voice-activated assistants. These devices are all connected to a central control hub, which communicates with the homeowner’s smartphone or tablet; this hub serves as the brain of the system, enabling the homeowner to manage and control their home’s various features from one central location.
One of the key advantages of an automated home is the sheer scale of customization options. For example, you or a loved one may have a disability that requires specialized lighting, better temperature control, and automatic security features to enhance mobility and safety; an automated home system from MyLifetimeHome can easily implement and customize these features to meet those unique needs.
As you can imagine, with the myriad combinations of devices and functions possible, it’s important to carefully consider the cost and complexity that will work for your purposes. We offer a range of automated home solutions and we will exhaustively examine your needs, wants, and worries to determine the best options to meet your needs and budget.
What are some problems with smart homes?
Some of the main concerns with smart home devices are:
- Some devices are incompatible with each other
- Connectivity issues due to poor network signals
- User alerts that are too sensitive, or not sensitive enough
- Power consumption, especially for battery-powered devices
- A lack of environmental control if you’re not near your phone or tablet
- Data breaches or improper data use
- What will happen in the event of a power loss
For any area of your home that you choose to automate through MyLifetimeHome, we will go over all the information, best practices, and precautions that you need to know. Generally, these systems can be set up to run optimally and will continue to do so as long as proper care and maintenance is provided. By integrating automation solutions into your Calgary real estate, you can enhance the functionality and convenience of your home while enjoying the benefits of aging in place.
Find out more about the risks and benefits of smart homes by getting in touch with our expert builders today!
How Technology Improves Accessibility for Disabled Persons
Automated home technology can help people with disabilities overcome many physical barriers by providing them with greater control over their environment. For example, smart lighting systems can be set up to activate and deactivate based on the homeowner’s movement, reducing the need to manually turn on and off lights. Smart thermostats can be programmed to turn off when you leave, and then back on again before you arrive home. Automated security systems with locks, cameras, and alarms can provide greater peace of mind and security for homeowners, particularly those with disabilities who may feel more vulnerable.
Learning to use automation in your home
Learning to use an automated home system can be a challenge, but the benefits are numerous. We are proud to offer the MyHomeConcierge service for homeowners who need additional assistance in learning how to efficiently operate and master their new automated home technology. Plus, we can also help with many other tasks around your home at the same time – it’s all included with this VIP package for past Pinnacle clients and their families.
Through this service, we can help people with disabilities learn how to:
- use voice-activated assistants
- set up smart locks and automated doors
- set schedules for ambient lighting
- programming routines to make daily tasks easier
- much more, depending on how your home has been set up!
4 Benefits of Automated Home Technology for People with a Disability
1) Improved Mobility
One of the main benefits of automated home technology is how it can greatly improve mobility for people with disabilities. For example, automated doors can be programmed to open or close via voice or touch commands. Lighting that automatically turns on when you get home can help you navigate once-dark corridors. Devices like stairlifts can turn previously dangerous climbs into a short, simple, and – most importantly – safe rides to another floor of your home.
2) Improved Independence with Assistive Technology
Assistive technology is another area where smart home technology has made great strides. For example, voice-activated assistants can help people with speech difficulties communicate more effectively, or even place online grocery orders for delivery. Doorbell cameras and smart locks allow homeowners to see who is at their door, and remotely let them in if desired. Smart appliances like ovens and stoves can be automatically set or controlled, while shelves in high cabinets that were once out of reach can be modified to automatically lower to a more accessible level. It may not seem like much, but changes like these allow kitchens, and therefore entire homes, to thrive with joy once more.
3) Safety Features
In addition to fall alert wearables and smoke or carbon monoxide detectors that can automatically notify emergency services, smart technology can also provide a range of other safety features for people with disabilities. We’ve already mentioned smart locks and cameras, which can not only be controlled from a smartphone but can even be shared with family members or trusted friends in emergency situations. As a bonus, these also eliminate the need for physical keys and make it easier for people with mobility issues to access their homes.
Speaking of access and mobility, another great automation option is an elevator, either internal or external to the home. Slips and falls often happen on staircases, in addition to bathrooms and bedrooms, and constitute one of the main causes of injury for people with limited mobility. Beyond that, some people with specific disabilities may not be able to use stairs at all – but that doesn’t mean they should lose access to entire sections of the home they have paid for. Elevator installations are becoming more common, and we would be thrilled to show you some of the available options and how they can improve your, or your loved one’s, daily life.
4) A Higher Quality of Life
Living with a disability can often lead to feelings of isolation and helplessness, but automated home technology can help alleviate those challenges. With the ability to control various aspects of their home from a single device, anyone can manage their daily routines with greater ease and independence. From temperature and lighting to entertainment, communication, daily errands, and assistance in caring for oneself, this technology provides a higher level of independence, comfort, and safety – which contributes to a much-improved quality of life for people with disabilities.
How to Get the Best Home Automation in Calgary
Developing or living with a disability is no longer the obstacle it once was. If you or someone you love is a Calgary homeowner considering renovations for a person with a disability, the right automated home technology deployed in the best ways will improve accessibility and instill greater independence, mobility, safety, and overall quality of life. And the best part? As technology advances, such as we’ve seen with the recent growth of AI assistants, you can expect many more innovative solutions in the years ahead!
Here at MyLifetimeHome, we have been helping Calgary homeowners with disabilities for many years – and we’ve touched all areas of the city, from Chaparral to Coventry Hills to Strathcona Park to Seton. We rely on our proprietary Design, Needs, and Alignment Document (the “DNA” of every successful project) to gather thorough details about each client’s ultimate vision and values and offer highly tailored renovation and home automation solutions for them and their families. Our expertise and leadership extend to multiple nationwide associations and accreditation groups, and we take great pride in our stellar reputation for exceptional service that continues long after the final construction work is complete. So if you need a comprehensive look at your current and future needs, and a proven partner to deliver on them, trust MyLifetimeHome to bring your vision of your home to life!
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