Those with disabilities need to ensure their homes are accessible so they are less dependent on other people and can live their lives as they choose. The good news is that today, it is easier than ever to have an accessible, comfortable home. With the help of technology, you can now enjoy the convenience of smart devices designed to help you accomplish things around the home.
Adding a Home Lift
One of the benefits of lifts is that they help people with limited mobility enjoy all levels of their house. In some cases, it might even be unavoidable to install a lift. For example, if your washer and dryer are on one floor, and your main living level is on another floor, it is often imperative to have a lift. A great home lift is an important part of many accessible smart homes to not only future-proof, but also add value.
Making Entryways More Accessible
You could begin by installing a smart lock instead of a keypad on your front door. They are ideal for allowing therapists, nurses, cleaning people, or other caretakers in your house. Unlike a traditional keypad, a smart lock will give you information on who used it at what time. And it is not that hard to change the combination if you want to remove access for someone. Some of these locks allow users to get access from their phones, allowing others to enter at specific times that you set up. Many locks allow you to control the number of times they can enter your house each day. You could also look into getting a smart doorbell, which is especially helpful if you have limited mobility. Some have cameras that sense motion and will show you who is knocking at your door. Then you can determine whether or not you want to let them in.
Controlling the Temperature of Your Home
Getting up to adjust the thermostat is often difficult for those with disabilities, so you could consider getting a smart thermostat. Sometimes those with certain disabilities like to keep their homes warmer, and others might feel too warm easily. It is not hard to change the temperature once you have installed a smart thermostat. Like many other similar devices, it is easy to control using your phone, even if you are no longer there. That way, you can reduce the amount of time your HVAC system is working when you are not in the house. You could then turn it back to a comfortable temperature shortly before arriving home, so it has time to get there before you are back.
Lighting Solutions
If it is hard to see in your home, it can be risky to navigate. Instead, consider using smart lighting to make your house even more accessible. You could add a smart plug or bulb so you could operate the light from your phone. So, if you are sitting in your favorite chair and notice it starting to get dark, all you have to do is tap your phone to illuminate the room. Many bulbs also allow you to dim them or change the hue.
