Smart technology may be seen as something for the young, but older Australians have a lot to gain from the safety, convenience and enjoyment it can provide. Millenials and Gen Z grew up with screens in their hands. But it’s not just the young and savvy who are benefitting from the connectivity smart technology brings. In the United States, a 2019 survey from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)(https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiegold/2019/12/06/boomers-and-seniors-finding-great-benefits-from-smart-home-technology/?sh=3d0f31f68ec4) found that more than 80 per cent aged 50 to 64 have a smartphone – a statistic that’s in line with the broader population. And one in seven over the age of 50 owned a voice assistant speaker such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa.
As the variety of smart devices on the market increases, more of us are looking to integrated smart technology into our homes. And this could have significant benefits as we get older – helping us stay connected and independent for longer.
The benefits of smart technology
The pandemic has shown how digital technology can make a real difference in our lives. During the lockdowns, we could connect with family and friends through video calls, messaging and social media – reducing isolation for those living alone.
Technology like voice assistants also offers great potential to improve our quality of life, and help us manage the aspects of our lives that can get harder with age.
Memory not as sharp as it used to be?
Use your voice assistant to remind you about important dates and appointments, to take your medication, and remind you which bills need to be paid. Worried about an illness or fall? Your voice assistant makes it easy to contact family members or emergency services for help. Technology like voice assistants also offers great potential to improve our quality of life, and help us manage the aspects of our lives that can get harder with age.
Three smart devices to change your life
For those ready to take the next step – it’s now possible to integrate your voice assistant with other smart devices in your home – bypassing complicated remotes and simply telling them what to do. This can be a real bonus for those with vision problems or limited mobility – as well as those of us who simply like to feel in control. While you may be unconvinced about the need to converse with your fridge or microwave, smart appliances are here to stay.
Here are three we think you’ll learn to love:
- Smart lighting: Smart lights can be connected to your voice assistant speaker and controlled through your smartphone. You can adjust for brightness, create a light schedule or even set the colour. Even better, because most smart lights work on LED, they have a longer life than other bulbs – which means less time on ladders – and less cost to run.
- Clever brews: A watched pot never boils – but smart kettles will have your cuppa ready before you get off the couch. These devices can be connected to your voice assistant speaker and phone, so you can boil water with a voice command. Like smart lights, smart kettles can be set to a schedule, meaning you can wake up to hot water ready for your morning tea. More of a coffee person? Smart coffee makers are also available, serving up your brew of choice on your command.
- Robotic vacuum cleaners: These automated robots can vacuum the floors around the house for you – they only require the press of a button on an app to get started. Enough said!
Talk to your financial adviser
Connected devices can help to make your life more convenient as you get older and help you be more independent in your later years. But they’re just small part of a sound retirement plan. To help make sure you have the right strategy to achieve the retirement lifestyle you want, speak to us today
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