We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›
We have pulled our recommendation of the Wyze Cam v3 due to security concerns and replaced it with the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24. For a full explanation see this post. Industrial Robot Control Board
As people get older, many may need a support system, including family, caregivers, and a residence that has been outfitted to accommodate the common frailties of age, such as reduced vision, decreased mobility, and increased risk of falls. Smart-home devices—including small sensors, discreet cameras, smoke alarms, and voice-activated speakers—can make everyday life safer, more convenient, and more social for older adults.
Fully discuss what devices you intend to install with the person who’ll be living with them.
Besides providing installation, ensure that someone is available to troubleshoot inevitable bugs and keep software updated.
If you want to use one app, all devices need to be compatible with the same smart platform, such as Alexa, Google Home, or HomeKit.
Some devices, such as alarms, can be configured to automatically text or call a relative or other third party, as well as 911.
We’ve spent years testing smart-home gear of every variety, and with the help of experts we’ve compiled this collection of devices that are especially well suited to helping older adults live more independently—while also providing peace of mind for their caregivers. “You’re really empowering someone to live ways that they’ve never been able to live before based on their chronic conditions,” said Andy Miller, senior vice president of innovation and product development at AARP. (Note: AARP has partnered with some smart-home device makers to offer discounts on select devices and services.)
I first started testing smart-home devices more than 20 years ago, when the only smart-home devices were X10. I’ve been covering smart-home gear for Wirecutter since 2016, and I’ve had my hands on everything from in-wall light switches, LED bulbs, and water-leak detectors to video doorbells, outdoor security cameras, and security systems. I’ve also written tech articles for The New York Times, Wired, and Men’s Health, among others.
For this guide, I interviewed doctors and experts who specialize in smart-home technology for those aging in place, including William Dale, MD, PhD, professor and chair of supportive care medicine at City of Hope and director of the Center for Cancer and Aging; Andy Miller at AARP; Laurie Orlov, analyst and founder of Aging and Health Technology Watch; and Kris Thompson, smart technology specialist and CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) at the Oak Hill NEAT Center at the time of our interview. I also consulted research from Wirecutter’s previous guides to emergency-contact systems and pill dispensers.
This guide is for the family member, friend, or caregiver who supports an older adult’s decision to live independently. According to AARP, about 55 million people over the age of 65 live in the US. And 87% of those in a 2014 AARP survey said they planned to live at home rather than transition to some sort of care facility. In part that’s because the idea of living out the rest of one’s years in a different place may be a frightening prospect—both mentally and financially—for some people.
In many cases, the costs of assisted or nursing care are simply too high and out of reach. A 2020 Genworth survey indicates that the median cost of assisted living in the US is around $4,500 per month—with nursing homes costing more than double that.
While smart-home devices certainly can’t be a replacement for human care, they can be a reliable tool when you or other caregivers can’t be around in person, providing a 24/7 connection to help ensure safety, assist with daily tasks, and allow you to check in on a loved one. These devices include:
Most smart devices are simple to set up with a smartphone; they also send notifications when activated, and in many cases they provide remote-access control. Thoughtfully assembled, a system that you put together can allow you to monitor and assist a loved one in emergencies or day-to-day, depending on your situation.
The decision to use this technology is a weighty issue due to security and privacy concerns. All of the experts we spoke with noted that the decision to install any devices should be made with the consultation and blessing of the individual in question. “Safety is of highest importance, and if a person has to be home alone, a way to monitor them is reasonable after an explanation to them and others who are helping to care for them,” said William Dale, MD, PhD, professor and chair of supportive care medicine at the Center for Cancer and Aging at City of Hope. “It is also important to note that if a person can’t be safe at home due to cognitive impairments, then one should consider a different living arrangement. The camera can only observe, and it still requires someone to monitor and act quickly on a dangerous situation that occurs. It is not a replacement for the necessary involvement to keep someone safe.” If a person is mentally incapacitated or has trouble making sound decisions, Dale recommends talking to a medical provider or the individual’s medical power of attorney. “A conversation should also include the impaired person, even if they aren’t able to remember it later. A note from the doctor that says she is recommending this, which can be shown to the person later, can help,” he added. “In some cases, especially if paranoia is part of the symptoms a patient is experiencing, the risks may outweigh the gains from being able to observe someone.”
Several of the experts we spoke with were quick to point out the importance of partnering in advance with the person who will be living with these devices so that they better understand how it can help them feel safer and more comfortable, and even live a more independent life. The person should be fully informed that the devices are there, what they do, and how they work. It’s also important to remember that most smart-home devices are not one-size-fits-all. People aging in place don’t range just by age: Speech, motor, and mobility issues may have an effect on the devices that people need or want, although many options may overlap with those for people living an active, completely independent lifestyle. “I’ve actually done an assessment for a senior who wanted to start gaming and playing Grand Theft Auto, so I can never generalize,” said Kris Thompson, smart technology specialist and CAPS at the Oak Hill NEAT Center at the time of our interview. “I never know what each individual will be comfortable with or what they won’t.” (Note: Grant funding for Oak Hill’s Smart Home on Wheels is provided by the Consumer Technology Association Foundation, AARP of Connecticut, AmRamp, and the State of Connecticut Tech Act Project. They have no financial connections to any of the products we’ve covered in this guide.)
The smart home isn’t just nifty gadgets: For those who have accessibility challenges, smart devices can be empowering and enable independent living.
We spent months on research for this guide, poring through product roundups, news articles, and academic studies. We also spoke to several experts, who helped us curate a list of the types of smart-home devices that people aging in place are currently living with, what has been well received, and what has been most useful (and what hasn’t). We looked for devices that included the following features:
We then separated our list into categories that we considered to be the essentials and other useful accessories.
Wirecutter has thoroughly tested all the devices we recommend here, with the exception of the iGuardStove, and we are currently evaluating them for long-term use. We address whole-home security systems in their own section because although we think such systems are a good choice for many people, they come with added installation work and added costs, and they may be more than some people need. Finally, note that although these devices are great for day-to-day use, no smart-home device should replace quality time with a loved one.
Wirecutter takes security and privacy issues seriously and investigates as much as possible how the companies whose products we recommend deal with customer data. As part of our vetting process, we looked at all of the security and data privacy practices behind our picks. We also reached out to all the companies that produced our top picks in this guide and had them each answer a questionnaire to confirm information that we think should be of primary concern for any potential buyer (see Privacy and security: How our picks compare for a look at their answers). For a more comprehensive look at how the security and privacy policies associated with the picks in this guide compare with those of their peers, visit the individual guides linked in each section below.
Smart-home devices rely heavily on data in order to do their job, which is what makes them “smart.” Variously, that could be information about conditions in your home, or your location throughout the day, or maybe the frequency and way in which you interact with all your devices. Some of that data is meaningless, but some of it you might consider personal, so we think it’s important to consider what data your devices collect and how it is protected. We looked into how each company whose products we recommend manages customer data, whether by encrypting it (which ensures that only the people with proper credentials can access it) or by restricting access via two-factor authentication—a common system that does a good job of ascertaining that you are actually you whenever you log in (by sending a verification code to your phone when you attempt to access the app). Although we prefer that every company use the highest form of security, we think some devices that don’t offer 2FA, such as smart plugs, are functionally pretty low risk for hacking incidents. That said, we always recommend that you use good, unique passwords—and use a different one for every smart-home app. (And if you’re looking for a good way to keep track of those, check out our guide to password managers.)
Of greater concern is that some companies share the data they collect from customers with third parties. That might include your actual address, your general location, or even the specific location of your smartphone, among other personal data. On the one hand, some data sharing may be necessary for many smart devices to function as they’re designed, such as allowing Alexa access to your smart bulbs so that you can control them via voice commands, or permitting security systems to share your location with emergency dispatchers. But some companies may collect data unnecessarily or with too few controls. We asked the companies that make the products we recommend what, if any, data they share, with whom, and for what purpose. If the types of features we list below in the Privacy and security section are of no interest to you, feel free to turn off location sharing in your smartphone’s settings. Note that if you opt to connect to Amazon Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, or IFTTT, you are by necessity sharing your usage data with those platforms, and so you are bound by their rules and policies. (Apple says that no data generated via HomeKit is shared with third parties.)
Wirecutter long-term tests all of its picks in a process that includes keeping track of hardware and software incidents. Should any privacy or security issues be found with any of our selected products, we’ll report them here and, if needed, update or alter our recommendations.
It’s understandable that someone aging in place may not want devices in every corner of their house. The great thing about smart-home devices is that most make it very easy to start small and scale up as needs, wants, and budgets change. That said, do-it-yourself home security systems pack many of the devices we consider to be essential into one purchase that works seamlessly.
A security system isn’t just about alerting you to break-ins and other criminal activity. Systems can include sensors that remind you when the door or window has been left open, cameras that notify you when a caretaker is coming and going, and smoke detectors that alert you when eggs are burning in a pan. Systems also offer several other add-ons, including motion sensors, water sensors, keypads, key fobs, glass-break sensors, and panic buttons, all of which you can access via a single app, which means you don’t need multiple apps to receive alerts or to access cameras and other devices. If you choose such a system, we strongly recommend adding a professional monitoring plan so that in the event of an alarm, a live person from a call center will alert you, your loved one, and anyone else you deem an emergency contact. The call center can also contact the police or fire department if there’s a need or if no one can be reached. We recommend this type of service for all security system users, but it’s especially helpful when you are a caregiver living remotely from your family member or friend—unless you plan to be on call 24/7 for fires, floods, and windows that are inadvertently left open.
This security system has a built-in Wi-Fi 6 router, works with a comprehensive variety of add-on devices, and offers emergency internet backup (for a fee), as well as up to 24 additional hours of backup power in case of an outage.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Works With Ring
The Ring Alarm Pro system can support almost every add-on you can imagine, including a few options for door and window sensors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and several types of hardwired and battery-operated doorbells and cameras. The base station includes a built-in Eero Wi-Fi 6 router, which can replace an existing router (depending on your service) or create a mesh network to improve your Wi-Fi’s speed for security cameras and other smart-home devices around the house. Although it works as a self-monitored system, we recommend pairing it with Ring Protect Pro, a $20-per-month (or $200 annually) subscription service that includes cloud storage for cameras, local video storage and processing, 24/7 professional monitoring, 24/7 backup internet for outages (which requires a $130 Ring Power Pack), cybersecurity features, and additional detection and help through Alexa Guard Plus.
When you’re making an aging-in-place plan with a loved one, personal safety should be a top priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one out of four people 65 and older fall each year. The US Fire Administration (an entity of FEMA) says that the same age group is 2.5 times more likely to die in a fire than the population as a whole. Smart-home devices can help you keep an eye out for some of those worries and possibly save your loved one’s life, notifying both emergency services and contacts whether they’re on the other side of town or the other side of the country. Although we must reiterate that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, we think everything on the following list could be useful for all ages and health conditions.
Everyone should have working smoke detectors throughout the house, but there’s a particular concern about how easily an older person can hear an alarm—and how quickly they might react to it. Smart smoke detectors not only deliver an audible siren inside the house but can also alert friends, neighbors, and caregivers via smartphone alerts.
This smoke and carbon monoxide alarm warns of danger by voice and siren, and it sends smartphone alerts to as many as nine contacts. It also has a self-check feature and a built-in night-light.
Available in hardwired and battery versions, the Google Nest Protect responds quickly and reliably to actual danger—and not every time someone cooks bacon or takes an extra-long hot shower. Once it detects smoke or carbon monoxide, it triggers a loud voice alert to let you know which room the danger is in and that it will trigger its siren shortly, which is a great feature as it allows someone nearby to pause the alarm before the siren goes off. It also sends smartphone alerts, which you can set up to go to family, friends, neighbors, and caregivers (as long as they have the Google Home app). Note that you can’t silence an alarm via the app unless you are in close proximity to the Nest Protect.
Another important feature of the Nest Protect is its self-testing function, which regularly confirms that all is in working order and eliminates those irritating late-night low-battery chirps. Also, we love the integrated, motion-activated night-light, which can guide someone to a late-night snack or bathroom trip as well as turn red when the alarm is triggered.
Typically, emergency-contact systems consist of wearable electronic devices that provide on-call monitoring and may include fall alerts; some charge a monthly fee. For this guide, we also considered nontraditional contact devices, such as smart speakers with emergency-alert features. Having a way to contact emergency services is an absolute must. However, we prefer the following smart options, which don’t require a contract, can be used every day, and incorporate a variety of convenience features.
The most stylish emergency-contact system can detect falls as well as certain types of cardiac events and send help automatically. It also supports HomeKit, so savvy users may control smart devices through voice commands.
The thing about adopting an emergency-contact system is that your loved one has to actually wear the device. Our experts suggested that there’s often resistance to the clunky bracelets and necklaces with built-in emergency buttons. “They don’t want to wear them because of the stigma of what that means,” said Andy Miller, senior vice president of innovation and product development at AARP. “It makes them feel old.” The Apple Watch SE is a more discreet option than any other emergency-contact system out there—probably because it wasn’t designed as an emergency-contact system. It’s a smartwatch that can make and take calls, stream music, control HomeKit-enabled smart-home devices via Siri voice commands, and more.
However, the most important Apple Watch features for this guide’s purposes are its built-in fall detection (Series 4 or later and Apple Watch SE models only) and crash detection, as well as a side button that can call emergency contacts. The Apple Watch SE can also share with emergency responders important medical information, such as blood type and medications, and physical activity including ECG stats. It even works with apps like FallCall, which can trigger a central monitoring station (versus 911) via Siri voice commands or an icon on the watch. If you want more advanced sensors to monitor additional heart info and blood oxygen levels, we recommend the Apple Watch Series 8.
One important note: To contact emergency services, the base-model Apple Watch must be paired with an iPhone that’s within Bluetooth range or connected to a known Wi-Fi network (with Wi-Fi calling enabled). If that’s a concern inside or outside the home, opt for a pricier model with GPS and a cellular plan (which costs extra). We also recommend pairing the Apple Watch with a bedside wireless charger, which increases the cost but also improves the functionality.
Alexa can’t call 911, but it can put loved ones in touch with family, friends, and caregivers via Alexa Calling and add-on Skills like Ask My Buddy and My SOS Family.
If your loved one doesn’t want a wearable, consider installing an Amazon Echo Dot in the house. The Dot, a smaller and less expensive version of an Echo smart speaker, runs on the Alexa voice-control platform, allowing anyone to control it by merely making a verbal command like “Alexa, call Rachel.” It can’t travel and doesn’t connect users to 911 services, but it does provide two ways to put your loved one in touch with emergency contacts such as family, friends, and caregivers. If you enable Alexa Calling, your loved one can use voice commands to call other Alexa devices (such as yours) or any phone number in the Alexa app’s contact list. We also recommend enabling a third-party application (called a Skill in the Alexa app) such as Ask My Buddy or My SOS Family, which can alert multiple contacts simultaneously via phone calls and text messages.
You can also opt for Alexa Together, a subscription service ($20 per month or $200 per year) that can help you remotely check in on loved ones. It has an emergency-calling feature that connects to live professional monitoring when you say “Alexa, call for help.” It also includes fall detection when integrated with third-party sensors (from AltumView, SkyAngelCare, or Vayyar, none of which we have tested), as well as Remote Assist, which provides caregivers access to reminders, shopping lists, music lists, and contacts. And the Activity Feed allows you to keep tabs on your loved one's interactions with Alexa, such as when they turn on smart lights or play music, or if a connected camera sees them moving about the house. In addition to monitoring the activity feed, you can set up alerts to get notified about specific activities or if no activity has been detected after a specified amount of time, which may indicate a problem.
Aside from the emergency-help features, an Echo Dot (or any Echo smart speaker) is great for playing music, listening to news and weather reports, playing trivia games, and calling friends. Alexa can also control most of the other devices we mention here, making them accessible via voice commands.
Smart screens make keeping in touch easier and more personal than a simple phone call. These devices connect to the home’s Wi-Fi network, allowing for video and voice calls to family, friends, telemedicine appointments, emergency services, and more. They also offer voice control, which allows the user to call up those contacts, as well as news, weather, trivia, and more, via voice commands. In addition, we recommend getting one of these screens because they can serve as a hub for other smart-home devices, allowing you to integrate gear from different brands; for example, motion near the Arlo Video Doorbell can trigger the Wyze Bulb Color, and so on. If you’d like to learn more, our blog post on smart-display video chats goes into more detail.
Alexa allows users to instantly chat with loved ones and caregivers through great sound and a sharp image. The virtual assistant can also connect to other smart-home devices around the house for control via voice or a single app.
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd generation) is a smart speaker with a built-in screen and camera, and like the Dot, it’s an excellent tool for accessing media and news. However, experts we spoke with especially like it because it also happens to be a great communication tool. “Voice-enabled technologies provide a little bit of information and social interaction for people who live alone primarily,” said Laurie Orlov, founder and principal analyst at Aging and Health Technology Watch. “A smart speaker is so nice for them, because they can ask a question and hear a voice.” The Echo Show 8 also provides a streamlined way for family members and caregivers to “drop in” for a two-way video chat, a feature that allows Alexa users to have an instant conversation, just like on a two-way intercom. (If only one party has an Alexa device, that’s okay: Video chats also work with the Alexa app on any smartphone.)
More tech-savvy people can use Alexa on the Echo Show to schedule Reminders about appointments and medication doses, watch videos about cooking, or view closed captioning (when available). The 8-inch touchscreen can also call up the Show and Tell feature, in which blind and low-vision users can identify grocery items simply by holding them up to the Echo Show’s camera and asking “Alexa, what am I holding?”
Because people with speech issues may have problems using Alexa, it may not be the ideal option for everyone. Amazon says it is working with NLU (natural language understanding) artificial intelligence to evolve the Alexa platform; in addition, to address such concerns, the company recommends using the app, submitting feedback, and even changing the wake word that summons Alexa. If you have concerns about using Alexa’s voice capabilities, review Amazon’s 30-day return policy before making an Echo purchase.
This tablet has a large screen that’s easy to see and control. The iPad also includes Siri voice control, is portable enough to carry anywhere in the house, and makes it easy to have video and audio calls with family, friends, and caregivers.
While not typically thought of as a smart display, the Apple iPad tablet is highly recommended by experts we talked to due to its easy-to-use touchscreen, portability, and large screen size, as well as the Siri voice-control system. Users can ask Siri to play music, announce the weather, schedule reminders and timers, and even turn on smart lights. Manual controls are also easier on a tablet than on a smartphone because the app icons are big and easy to see. And because the iPad is portable, your loved one can carry it from the bedroom to the kitchen to the living room and use it to make and take calls with family, friends, telemedicine services, and more.
Like Amazon’s devices, Apple’s iPad can provide news, weather, podcasts, and other entertainment. However, because it taps into the App Store, you can also load games, video streaming services, and anything else your loved one may appreciate. We also like the iPad because it can combine multiple smart-home devices with one voice command: For instance, loved ones can say “Siri, turn on the living room” to power several lights—and you can combine those lights with smart plugs, cameras, and other smart devices, as long as they support Apple’s smart-home platform, HomeKit. Siri voice commands and HomeKit are not compatible with as many smart-home devices as Alexa is. However, if your loved one is a little tech-savvy, they can also use the iPad to access the apps for all of the devices we mention elsewhere in this guide. Since we first published this article, the Apple iPad (10th generation) has been released, but we still think the 9th-gen version has enough power for daily use (and you can save a few bucks on it, since it’s a little older).
“Nothing to me is more powerful than an iPad,” said Kris Thompson, smart technology specialist and CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) at the Oak Hill NEAT Center at the time of our interview. “The accessibility that’s built in, magnification capabilities, voice control with Siri, hands-free control, access to calling without having to remember numbers, access to email, texting, social media, ride-share services, internet access, reminders, games—it’s just so powerful.”
Several sources, including the World Health Organization, the National Institute on Aging, and the Alzheimer’s Association, provide resources for caregivers dealing with loved ones who have dementia and in particular the risks of their wandering from home. Contact sensors, small devices that you can attach to any door or window, can alert you when the door or window is safely shut, has been opened, or has been left open too long. When you attach such sensors to the front and back doors, you’ll know when someone is coming and going. You can put them on windows so that you receive an alert if someone forgot to close the living room window before bed, for example, or put one on the refrigerator door so that you know your loved one is remembering to eat. “I’ve had people come into the Smart Home on Wheels absolutely frantic because their loved one was just diagnosed with dementia,” said Thompson. “They need to buy time. They need things like sensors and ways to increase safety.”
Many smart contact sensors are tied into security systems or specific platforms (such as Alexa, HomeKit, or SmartThings). All of them can integrate with other smart devices so that opening a door can trigger a light, a voice announcement, or even a call to the police.
This sensor is easy to install and reliable in providing alerts. It requires the use of an Aqara Hub, which can support up to 128 sensors around the house.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, IFTTT
If you’re planning to get a home security system, such as the Ring Alarm Pro system, buy sensors that work with that specific system. Otherwise, we recommend putting the Aqara Door and Window Sensor on the home’s front and back doors. You can customize the system to send alerts immediately or after a set period of time when the door has been opened or closed, as well as if the sensor has low battery power. You can also use the app to check the status of doors and windows and see the history of when a door or window was opened and closed.
The sensor uses Zigbee wireless technology instead of Wi-Fi, so it works well in parts of a house where the Wi-Fi isn’t that strong. That means it needs an Aqara Hub, which can support up to 128 sensors. And because the sensor works with Alexa, HomeKit, and Google Home, it can pair with other smart devices around the house to make life a bit more convenient. For instance, we set Routines in the Alexa app that would announce “The back door is open” on the Amazon Echo Show and trigger a smart light bulb to turn on whenever someone opened the door.
On average about one in 60 US homes files an insurance claim each year due to water damage (including freezing), according to the Insurance Information Institute. How devastating those events become often depends on how quickly they’re discovered. Instead of relying on occasional spot-checks, set up a few smart water-leak sensors in your loved one’s home near areas where potential leaks may happen, such as by the water heater, as well as by the tub, sink, or toilet in case they forget or don’t notice that the water is running. Once you’ve set the sensors up, if water is present, the system will send an alert to your smartphone. Some even emit an audible alarm or trigger lights and sounds so that your loved one can tackle small leaks before they become a big headache.
This kit includes a plug-in hub with an optional sensor cable and can connect with up to 16 battery-powered remote sensors. Both respond quickly to water with a loud (94 dB) siren and rapid smartphone alerts.
Compatible with: Google Home, IFTTT
The D-Link DCH-S1621KT has two parts: a plug-in hub with a removable 19-inch water-sensing cable and a 38-inch extension cord, and a matchbox-sized remote battery-operated sensor capable of connecting wirelessly to the hub from up to 300 feet away. Once you’ve installed the kit, the presence of water triggers a loud, 94-decibel alarm on the hub. Just know that the alarm will continue as long as water is present, which may be a problem if it’s in a hard-to-reach place. (If that concerns you, the competing Flo by Moen Smart Leak Detector is compact and can be silenced in the app but has a much softer, 60 dB audible alarm.) The D-Link sensor also sends smartphone alerts when water is present, when the issue is resolved, or if the hub loses power.
We also like that this D-Link model supports IFTTT (If This Then That), which allows you to link it to another smart device with just a few clicks. For instance, we set up a Rule dictating that whenever the D-Link device detects water, it will turn a smart light bulb on in the living room.
Everyone forgets to lock the door now and then. Smart locks make it easy to check the status of doors, and you can lock or unlock them remotely if need be. A smart lock is especially helpful if you’re worried about a loved one who tends to wander, or if you just want to make sure the house is locked up for the night. And smart locks are equally handy if the older person forgets their keys or is expecting family, friends, neighbors, caregivers, delivery people, service providers, or other visitors. Although many smart locks also offer a keypad option, we don’t recommend those models for anyone with memory issues.
Designed to work with an existing deadbolt, this smart add-on allows you to lock and unlock the door remotely and to auto-lock the door after it’s closed. The Wyze Lock also sends notifications when the door has been left open.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
The Wyze Lock isn’t the most advanced smart lock, but it is the easiest to set up and use—and one of the cheapest we’ve tested. Since it attaches to an existing deadbolt and adds only a modest housing to the internal side of the door, to your loved one it looks and acts the same as ever, so they can continue to use a key if they prefer. But its built-in smarts allow you to lock and unlock the door remotely, and you can choose to receive smartphone alerts whenever the door is accessed or left open. And if your loved one ever forgets or misplaces their key, you can use that same tech to unlock the door for them remotely.
Note that the auto-lock feature is on by default, so you may want to disable that or at least set it so it will auto-lock only after a certain amount of time—not, for instance, while your loved one pops out to get the mail.
Although you probably don’t want a 24/7 feed of what your loved ones are doing, security cameras are helpful when you’re caring for someone remotely. A live video feed lets you know when someone is moving about the house, alerts you to who is coming to the front door, and even documents falls for health professionals. All the experts we spoke with cautioned that the decision to put a camera into someone else’s home should not be made lightly and should be made in conjunction with the person who will be living with them. Some people find a camera to be intrusive, and it can be very scary for anyone with memory issues.
This doorbell can alert you to people, packages, animals, and cars going by. It also has a wide-angle lens that can provide a full picture of who or what is in front of the door, from head to toe.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit (with a compatible base station such as the Arlo SmartHub), Google Home, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings
If your loved one gets visitors and packages, a smart doorbell camera is a must. It allows you to screen whoever comes to the door from anywhere in the world, regardless of whether the guest rings the bell. When someone does ring the bell, a normal doorbell sound plays for the person at home, but a smartphone notification also comes through the app. From there, you can opt to answer the door remotely or just keep a record of who is coming and going—and how long they were hanging around. “Video doorbells are great, especially if [the person living with them is] having mobility challenges,” said City of Hope’s William Dale. “Maybe the house is a little big for them or they have to be in a far part of the house, and getting all the way to the doors becomes a challenge.”
We like the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell because it can distinguish between people, packages, animals, cars, and general motion—and alerts you accordingly. This means you won’t be bothered every time raccoons visit (although you’ll know to cover the trash cans). Those advanced alerts require a subscription to Arlo Secure, which provides 30 days of video storage for $5 per month. The Arlo Secure Plus plan ($18 per month) adds Emergency Response, a service that allows you to specify who you want to contact, with one-touch access to fire, police, and medical-emergency responders.
This camera offers a sharp picture, four choices for video storage, and a continuous recording option. It can also distinguish between different types of motions and sounds.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home
Putting a camera into a loved one’s home can offer peace of mind by allowing you to remotely monitor home visits, movement, and whether someone is taking their medicine. All the experts we spoke with, though, cautioned that installing indoor security cameras needs to be a decision made between you and your loved one. Some people may find it to be a violation of privacy, and others may find it frightening. “Transparency should be obvious. Nobody likes to be monitored without knowing,” said Dale. “These kinds of things have to be really carefully thought about rather than just assumed that it’s okay.” Talk about why it’s important to the person living with the camera, how it works, and how you can use it to communicate, since most cameras come equipped with a speaker and microphone.
We like the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 because it’s easy to install anywhere and inexpensive to run. You can opt to use a microSD card or network-attached storage, and record 24-7 footage or just motion-activated events. It also supports cloud storage so you never have to worry about accessing content if someone pulls the card or there’s a power outage; a Eufy cloud plan starts at $3 per month or $30 per year (per camera). You can also use Apple HomeKit Secure Video, a free video-storage service that comes with paid iCloud plans.
The Eufy camera can also distinguish between people, pets, vehicles, and general motion.
As people age, they may develop motor or memory issues. The following devices may be especially helpful for anyone with such challenges to live more independently and accomplish everyday tasks, such as turning lights on and off, turning fans and space heaters on and off, and monitoring appliances.
Installing smart plugs is the easiest, most inexpensive way to ensure that your loved one turns off the space heater, for example, or has a hallway lamp illuminated for midnight bathroom trips. Just plug one into any outlet, pair it with a smartphone, and plug in an electronic device you wish to control, such as a table lamp or fan. Once you’ve set that up, you can remotely control or schedule the connected electronics to go on and off as needed. You can also pair them with voice control so that people with limited mobility can control things like lamps without needing to get out of a chair and switch them on (as long as a smartphone or voice-controlled speaker is handy). When paired with lights, smart plugs can even offer a bit of added security: Putting them on a schedule can act as a burglar deterrent, while pairing them with a motion sensor to turn on when someone approaches can ensure that your loved one never ventures down a dark hallway. Just be aware that if the person at home manually shuts off that light, heater, or other device, the plug loses its functionality.
This model is easy to use and affordable enough that you can put multiple plugs into any home. It also includes real-time energy monitoring so you can keep tabs on electricity use in hours, minutes, watts, and kilowatt-hours.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings
One of the main reasons we love the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) is that it’s affordable enough for you to put plugs all over the house. That way, you can trigger coffee makers, table lamps, TVs, and anything else electronic to go on and off at scheduled times. The plug is easy to control through its iOS and Android apps or via voice commands when paired with Alexa, Google Home, or Siri devices. Though the EP25 also has advanced features such as the ability to track device use (in hours, minutes, watts, and kilowatt-hours), we like it especially because it sets up easily and remains reliable, so you can set up a lamp, heater, or fan to automatically turn on for your loved one without much fuss—and ensure that the appliance turns off, too.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 173,000 fires in US homes during 2014 through 2018 were caused by cooking-related activities, with 31% of those due to unattended equipment and another 8% attributable to stoves that were unintentionally turned on or not turned off. Smart stove-monitoring systems alert you if the gas has been left on, can turn off stoves when they’re left unattended, let you control them remotely, and allow you to check on kitchen-related activity. Even though most people have probably forgotten to turn off the stove at one time or another, we don’t necessarily recommend that everyone get a stove monitor. These systems are very expensive and sometimes require a professional for correct installation. Also, the only “smart” one we found can’t integrate with other smart devices—a feature that we hope to see in the future. For instance, it would be nice to trigger a smart bulb to turn red when the stove is left unattended.
This Wi-Fi–enabled add-on provides remote control and monitoring. A subscription adds the ability to monitor movement, auto shut-off features, and text and email alerts.
We haven’t tested the iGuardStove yet, but in our research it was the best smart stove-shutoff system we found. It’s the only one that includes web-based control of the stove, so you can monitor use and remotely disable functionality. In addition, it’s the only such system that can keep track of activity and send text and email alerts, though that feature costs $20 per year. You can set the alerts to notify you when it detects movement in the kitchen, when the temperature changes, when the gas has been left on (and is not being used), and more. Unfortunately, the iGuardStove doesn’t have a dedicated app or any type of smart-home integration, but the company says both are in the works.
Even without the subscription, you don’t have to monitor kitchen use 24/7, as the iGuardStove has a built-in motion sensor that cuts off the gas or electricity if it senses no movement for five minutes. (Movement keeps resetting that timer, or you can set it manually, such as if someone is cooking something over a long period, like a turkey or stew.) The iGuardStove comes in models for both electric and gas stoves; to install the gas model, we recommend hiring a professional.
A dark house can be scary and dangerous for people of any age. Smart lighting, in the form of in-wall switches/dimmers and LED bulbs, allows you to put lighting on schedules, have the lights triggered by movement or other devices, or simply turn lights on and off as needed using a smartphone. “Smart lighting is very safe, hands-free, and can be automated,” said Thompson. “And it increases safety and independence. I think lighting is huge.” For instance, you can set a schedule that can turn outside and living room lights on at sunset and off at bedtime. They can also integrate with sensors so that hallway lights, for example, can turn on when motion is detected. (Just make sure to place the sensors high enough so that pets don’t trigger them.)
This in-wall light switch works with most any electrical system, integrates with a lot of smart-home devices, and offers an easy-to-use rocker paddle for dimming and powering lights manually.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings
Smart in-wall light switches, which replace existing light switches, offer the best way to incorporate smart lighting because they provide smart features such as remote control, scheduling, and integration with other smart devices like cameras and sensors while allowing the person living with the technology to use lighting the old-fashioned way: by touching the switch. We like the Leviton Decora Smart No-Neutral Dimmer DN6HD because it doesn’t need a neutral wire, so it should work just fine no matter how old a home’s wiring is. This switch does require a $20 plug-in Wi-Fi bridge, which creates a wireless network to better connect spots in the home where the Wi-Fi may not be its strongest. The hub can accommodate up to 25 no-neutral-wire dimmers and switches, which you can control individually or in one or more groups of devices. You can then also create a Schedule of on/off times or customize Scenes that specify a particular dimming level. We also like that the dimmer looks and functions like any non-smart dimmer, making it easy to operate at the switch location.
This inexpensive smart bulb is a simple, quick fix for easily controlling lights. It also features color options, which you can set as reminders.
May be out of stock
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT
Smart light bulbs are a quicker and less permanent option for smart lighting than smart dimming switches. Most of them look like standard bulbs and fit the same fixtures but provide smart lighting features such as remote control and scheduling. We like the Wyze Bulb Color because it uses Wi-Fi (so there’s no need for a wireless hub) and is easy to set up and control, yet it’s inexpensive enough that it allows you to add smart lighting throughout a home.
Once you’ve installed the Wyze Bulb Color, you can dim it, tune it to different colors and white temperatures (Soft White, White, Daylight, or Cool White), control it remotely, and put it on a schedule, all through the app. Should you or your loved one turn the bulb on or off at the switch rather than using a timer or app, it will continue to work as normal—though without colors or dimming. (You should handle dimming and other smart features in the app, and not by using a standard dimmer switch, either, which can cause problems.) If you anticipate turning off the bulb at the switch regularly, make sure to set the Power Loss Recovery feature, which lets you customize what settings your bulb will have after it turns on again following a power outage. You or your loved one can also control the Wyze Bulb Color via voice commands through Alexa or Google Home (but not HomeKit).
We understand that there is a serious need for smart pill dispensers, but we did not review them for this guide. All of the smart pill dispensers we considered to be candidates had a high price ($700 to $1,500), hefty subscription fees (averaging $30 per month), or both. Also, we found too many what-ifs regarding this technology. For instance, what if there’s a power outage? (We did find one device with a battery backup.) What if you drop a pill in the sink? What if your loved one is in pain and needs medication sooner rather than later? Judging by our findings, we don’t think there is one perfect smart pill dispenser currently, and the decision to get one is best made with your loved one’s physician, who can recommend a model that fits your needs and is (hopefully) covered by insurance.
This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.
Christian Cerda, CEO of SimpliSafe, phone interview, March 12, 2020
William Dale, MD, PhD, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, phone interview, February 19, 2020
Andy Miller, senior vice president of innovation and product development, AARP, phone interview, March 5, 2020
Steve Hall, Complete Guide To A Smart Home For The Elderly, DIY Smart Home Guide, April 3, 2018
Laurie M. Orlov, principal analyst, Aging and Health Technology Watch, phone interview, April 23, 2020
Laurie M. Orlov, Technology for Aging: 2020 Market Overview (PDF), Aging and Health Technology Watch, March 2020
Kris Thompson, smart technology specialist, CAPS, Oak Hill Assistive Technology, phone interview, February 28, 2020
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, Welcome to Your Forever Home: Smart Tech For Aging in Place, Dwell, February 13, 2019
Assistive Technology for Aging in Place (PDF), Arizona Technology Access Program, July 2014
A Guide to Aging in Place, Caring.com, March 24, 2022
Rachel Cericola is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter who has been covering smart-home technology since the days of X10. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, Men’s Health, USA Today, and others. She hopes her neighbors read this bio because it would explain why she always has four video doorbells running simultaneously outside her home.
The smart home isn’t just nifty gadgets: For those who have accessibility challenges, smart devices can be empowering and enable independent living.
These smart-home devices don’t need permanent installation, so you can take them with you when you move.
A smart lock lets you go key-free and control your door remotely. Our pick, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi, is small, attractive, versatile, and reliable.
Smart devices can make any backyard easier to maintain, more functional, and simply more fun.
Circuit Board Medic Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).