The wizards behind technological innovation have increasingly turned their attention to the social benefits of their creations and many of these have found their way into the homes of the elderly.

Ease of Use

Most people are already familiar with Stannah stairlifts and those who have had one of these mobility aids fitted in their homes can rediscover the joy of moving around their house without having to navigate dangerous or steep staircases. The technology behind these devices is relatively simple, though as time goes by their operating systems have become more sophisticated and unobtrusive. All responsible manufacturers will ensure that their stairlift has a British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) certificate in order to guarantee the user’s safety.

Apps

Most advertisements on TV and radio proudly claim that you can contact their company through an app and this term has now seamlessly entered the vocabulary of the English language. Apps have many uses, including safety, and it’s nothing short of sheer ingenuity that you can monitor your home at long distance if you have to travel a long distance. For family members with frail relatives this type of monitor is ideal. It’s easy to install the app on one Smartphone and then control a camera with another, so if an older family member is under the weather then the user with the corresponding phone can check up on them at regular intervals through the use of video clips. In terms of home security this type of app can also cut down expensive insurance premiums, as the app will detect motion.

This might all sound a little Orwellian, but as long as the person who is being monitored is reassured that the app is for their protection they will probably feel a lot safer in their own home.

Budgets

Those living on a tight budget will be relieved to discover that there is an app that can monitor both their gas and electricity usage. Smartphones have always had very powerful technology built into them, but it is only recently that these gadgets are being used to their full capacity. If the pensioner wants a Smartphone but money is a problem, they can invest in a pay-as-you-go system or another type of payment plan from the network provider, which should cut down on costs. These schemes still allow the user to have a certain amount of free call minutes, but you will have to sign up to a contract in order to make full use of the phone.