At Smarter Homes Australia, we’ve seen how assistive technology transforms lives. For individuals with PTSD, it offers a sense of safety, control and confidence. Whether you’re managing occasional challenges or dealing with severe symptoms, upgrading your home to a smart home can help create a calmer, more secure environment.
First some helpful resources:
- For the official definition of assistive technology according to the Australian Government, refer to the NDIS website at this page Assistive Technology Guideline.
- The Black Dog Institute, an independent not-for-profit mental health research institute, provides a wealth of information related to PTSD.
- QPASTT provides a variety of services to torture and trauma survivors in Queensland.
Security cameras for a safer home
Feeling safe at home is crucial for anyone living with PTSD. That’s why home security cameras are among the most requested devices we install. They are helpful in numerous ways:
- Deterrence: Cameras placed outside act as a visible deterrent to intruders.
- Monitoring: With live feeds accessible from your smartphone, you can always see what’s happening around your home.
- Control: For someone with PTSD, knowing their surroundings are secure brings immense relief.
Security cameras can also be placed inside the home. For those who feel uneasy moving between rooms, an indoor camera can help them check spaces before entering. This simple tool provides reassurance and reduces unexpected triggers.
We install both wireless cameras and CCTV systems tailored to your needs. Schedule a free quote, and we’ll help you choose the best option.
Digital door locks for peace of mind at your fingertips
A smart door lock is a small upgrade that delivers big benefits such as these:
- Remote control: Lock or unlock your door from anywhere using your smartphone.
- Eliminate keys: No need to carry or hide physical keys. Access your home with a code, app or even fingerprint.
- Notifications: Receive alerts when the door is locked or unlocked, giving you full awareness of who’s entering your home.
For individuals with PTSD, having this level of control can significantly ease stress and bring peace of mind. With a digital door lock, there’s no need to worry about lost keys or hiding spares in insecure places. Instead, you can provide trusted individuals with unique access codes. These codes can be temporary and easily revoked at any time, ensuring you retain full control over who can enter your home. This flexibility offers both security and convenience, making your home feel safer and more manageable.
A smart video doorbell keeps you safe & informed
Unexpected visitors can be a major source of stress for someone with PTSD. A video doorbell camera is a simple way to remove the worry of answering the door to a potential stranger. It delivers a range of benefits including:
- See who’s there: View live video of anyone at the door without needing to open it.
- Two-way communication: Speak to visitors through the app, reducing the need for face-to-face interactions.
- Activity alerts: Receive instant notifications when someone approaches your door, providing a sense of awareness and control.
This assistive technology device ensures you never feel surprised or unprepared when someone arrives at your front door. For someone with PTSD, this feature helps create a safer, more manageable home environment, reducing stress and offering peace of mind.
Safety and convenience with a smart garage door or electric gate opener
A smart garage door or electric gate opener works similarly to a digital door lock, offering control and convenience in the palm of your hand. The benefits of installation are many such as:
- Remote operation: Open or close your garage or gate from your phone, no matter where you are.
- Peace of mind: Check the status of your garage or gate anytime to ensure it’s securely closed.
- Added safety: Prevents intruders from gaining access through forgotten open doors.
This level of smart home automation helps reduce the mental load of managing your home’s security.
Set a calming mood with smart lighting
Lighting plays an important role in creating a safe and soothing home environment. When you install smart lighting, it’s possible to change the mood of the room instantly in the following ways:
- Adjust brightness: Easily dim or brighten rooms to match your mood.
- Change colours: Soothing tones like soft blues and warm yellows can create a calming atmosphere.
- Automate routines: Schedule lights to turn on or off at specific times, reducing the need for manual adjustments.
Management of your smart lighting is through the included smartphone app or voice command, when paired with a smart home assistant. Harsh lights that can feel overwhelming are replaced with soft, soothing options that promote relaxation. Program the smart lights to brighten gradually in the morning for a gentle start to the day and dim in the evening, helping to establish a comforting nighttime routine.
We can upgrade your existing lighting system through the installation of smart bulbs or smart switches. Contact us and we can discuss the options available to you.
Smart air conditioning for instant comfort
Keeping a consistent temperature at home creates a more comfortable environment, which can boost your mood and overall well-being. A stable, cooler temperature in the bedroom can also promote better sleep, as research shows cooler settings are ideal for restful nights. For anyone with PTSD, managing your stress levels is an important part of your treatment protocol. Upgrade to a smart air conditioner and these are the benefits provided to you:
- Temperature control: Maintain a comfortable environment to help with mood regulation and prevent overheating.
- Remote access: Turn the aircon on or off via your smartphone, no matter where you are.
- Energy efficiency: Reduce running costs with programmable settings.
If you already have an air conditioning system, we can upgrade it to a smart aircon system. We retrofit your existing split system with an infrared remote, giving you all the benefits of smart control at a fraction of the cost. You’ll be able to turn it on and off remotely through an app and easily program it to maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature.
If you’re in need of a new air conditioning system, we can install a state-of-the-art smart aircon split system tailored to your home. These premium models allow you to control the temperature in any room directly from your smartphone, no matter where you are. They’re energy-efficient, reducing unnecessary costs while creating a calm, comfortable environment, providing a helping hand for anyone with PTSD.
Simplifying home management with a smart home assistant
For someone living with PTSD, the idea of a smart home might seem overwhelming at first, but a smart home assistant can actually make life much easier. By connecting all your smart devices to a central hub, it simplifies managing your home. For someone who feels stressed or triggered by daily tasks, being able to control the environment with a few words can be a game-changer. With a simple command, you can lock the front door, adjust the smart lights, or turn off the air conditioning as you leave the house. It handles the small but important tasks, helping to create a sense of control and calm in your space.
The most popular smart home assistants are Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home. We have experience installing all of these models and can give advice on which is the best option for you.
A day in the life of John, supported by Assistive Technology
Let’s see how a day could be better managed with the help of smart home devices.
6:30 AM
John wakes to a softly lit room, thanks to his smart lighting. The gradual brightness helps him start the day calmly.
7:00 AM
With a simple command, John asks his smart home assistant what’s on the schedule for today. He also enquires about the weather forecast. This information helps him determine the best attire for the day ahead.
8:30 AM
Before driving to work, John locks his front door with a tap on his smartphone, ensuring it’s secure.
10:00 AM
Did I turn off the aircon, John asks himself. There’s an easy way to answer this and eliminate the anxiety – check the aircon smartphone app to make sure it’s turned off.
3:00 PM
While at work, John receives a notification that someone is at his door. Using his video doorbell app, he checks the live feed and sees a parcel delivery. He speaks to the package deliverer through the two-way communication feature, directing them to leave the package in a safe spot.
6:00 PM
As the light diminishes, John’s smart lighting system automatically adjusts the indoor lights, dimming to an orange tone to create a calm inducing environment.
10:00 PM
John is preparing for bedtime. Without the need to move physically, he can check on the digital door lock app that the front and back door are securely locked. And with a voice command to his smart home assistant, he is able to switch off all the downstairs lights and turn on the upstairs bathroom and bedroom lights. The smart aircon has already been programmed to cool down, to promote a restful sleep.
This is assistive technology, helping make life at home for the NDIS participant more convenient, safer and less stressful.
How Smarter Homes Australia empowers NDIS Participants to enjoy a more independent and stress-free home environment
At Smarter Homes Australia, we’re passionate about helping people feel safer and more in control at home. Our team specialises in installing assistive technology tailored to each individual’s needs.
Ready to upgrade your home?
Contact us for a free quote, and let’s create a smart home environment that helps you live independently, safely, and stress-free.
Assistive Technology for NDIS Participants FAQs
- Do you work with NDIS participants?
Yes we do, all the time. Refer to our specific guide to NDIS participants for more information.
- Do you work with NDIS participants outside of SE Qld?
No unfortunately we don’t. We only service South-East Queensland for installation, however we can provide products-only through our Smarter Store.
- How do I know what Assistive Technology is funded through NDIS?
As a starting point, check out the NDIS website information provided at this address – What assistive technology do we fund? Or ask your Plan Manager, Support Worker or Occupational Therapist who should have the experience to answer your specific questions. At Smarter Homes Australia we currently support all NDIS participants who are plan and self-managed with their funding, however we cannot provide the approval that is required from your support team.
- What are the next steps and how do I arrange a quote?
After taking a look at the services we offer, simply fill out the contact form on our website and let us know what you’re interested in. From there our team can provide you with an in-person or online quote to discuss further with your support team.
