We’ve installed assistive technology devices in the homes of NDIS participants with dementia and Alzheimer’s homes all over Brisbane and SE Queensland. Read below to learn about the smart home devices and security camera systems that have played a role in bringing safety, security and convenience to the lives of those with a neurological condition or disorder.
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.
- Check out the wealth of information and resources provided by Dementia Australia. The section on home life is particularly helpful – Living with dementia/home life
- And these informative articles from Alzheimer’s Queensland – Dementia & living alone, Dementia – looking after yourself
How does a smart door lock assist those with dementia?
Forgetting to lock the front door is a worry for anyone, but for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, it’s a daily concern. A smart digital door lock instantly takes away this stressful feeling. The status of the door can be checked on the app, from the phone or a smart watch, by the occupant or the carer. And this can be done remotely, no matter where they happen to be. Or to be even more security conscious, a smart door lock can be programmed to automatically lock after a certain period, removing the need to remember this task altogether.
Security is one of the many benefits of a digital door lock for those with a neurological condition. The other is removal of the need for a physical key. No more lost or misplaced keys. Instead entry is possible in multiple ways – with a code, opening it with the app on the phone or smart watch, and the simplest of all, with a fingerprint (available on a specific model). It’s a comfort to know that keys aren’t being left around for unwanted visitors to use.
The keyless feature of a smart door lock offers convenience not just for the person with dementia, but also for carers, family members and friends. Up to 100 unique codes can be created, allowing trusted individuals to access the home without needing a physical key. A regular carer can enter using their code, eliminating the need to be let in each time. This code also tracks their entry and exit, providing added security and peace of mind for the family. Temporary access codes can be set up for tradespeople or medical specialists, granting entry only when needed. These codes can be easily managed – set for a specific time or deleted when access is no longer required.
We also like to install a deadbolt, depending on the existing door setup. A deadbolt gives the home occupant that extra layer of security, over and above that of a traditional door lock.
Security for the outside, safety for the inside
Home security cameras provide essential protection against intruders for someone with dementia living alone. These cameras offer constant monitoring, reducing the chances of a break-in. To maximise their effectiveness, we recommend placing them in highly visible locations, as the sight of cameras can act as a strong deterrent to potential intruders. If any suspicious activity is detected, the cameras send alerts to both the person and their caregivers, allowing them to take quick action. It’s ideal to install a smart door lock, programmed to lock automatically. However, if a smart lock isn’t available, home security cameras provide an added layer of safety, especially in situations where locking the doors might be forgotten.
Security cameras offer more than just home security, they also provide home safety. Installing cameras inside the home allows carers to monitor the individual remotely, ensuring their safety without constant supervision. Wandering is a potential danger for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s. If the person wanders or gets disoriented, the cameras can quickly alert the carer through real-time notifications. This helps prevent accidents, such as leaving the house unnoticed or falling inside the home. Cameras also allow carers to monitor daily routines, making it easier to spot changes in behaviour or identify potential hazards. With this information, steps can be taken to address issues before a serious incident occurs.
We install both wireless and CCTV security camera systems into homes around Brisbane and SE Queensland. Schedule a free quote and we’ll discuss your options, helping find one that suits you best.
How can smart lighting make the home safer for those with dementia?
For the dementia sufferer, living in a familiar environment enhances safety and a sense of security. But if that home isn’t a safe place to navigate, then this benefit is lost. With a smart lighting system, illuminating the home becomes easy. Motion sensors, operation through a smartphone app or even voice command (with the setup of a home assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Home), gives convenient options to find the one that suits them best.
For areas highly trafficked, like the hallway or bathroom, motion-activated lights ensure the area is always well-lit, reducing the risk of tripping or falling. Voice-controlled lighting, accessible through the smart home assistant, can be used to turn on and off the lights and even control the brightness levels.
When it comes to smart lighting there are options. We can install smart lighting to the entire house, select rooms or just specific lights. We can supply new smart bulbs, lamps, light-strips and accessories. And we’ll advise whether smart light bulbs or smart switches are best for you. Once we understand your needs we’ll help you choose the best options.
How does a smart video doorbell make the home safer for someone with dementia?
Being able to see who’s at the front door through video footage is not just a safety feature, but also incredibly helpful. Remembering names can be difficult for someone with dementia. Seeing the person on screen before answering gives them extra time to recognise the visitor, rather than being caught off guard. For frequent visitors, the system can even pair a face with a name, displaying it on the screen, making it easier to remember who’s there.
And if getting to the door is a challenge, with the two-way audio feature, a conversation can be conducted without physically having to open or even move to the door.
Enhance home security with a smart garage door or electric gate opener
A smart garage door or front gate opener offers benefits similar to a smart door lock. It eliminates the need for a remote opener or fob which can easily get misplaced or find itself in the wrong hands. Once all the operation of the garage door or front gate is on the smart phone or smart watch app, entry and exit is all in the hands of the occupant or individuals who have been trusted with access. And no more worrying whether the garage or gate has been left open. From anywhere the status can be checked and if not locked, this can be rectified with a simple press of the app button.
Installing a smart aircon saves money
Maintaining a comfortable environment, warm when it’s cold, cool when it’s hot, makes a home a pleasant place to be. But running the aircon or thermostat can be a costly exercise. Installing a smart aircon system or upgrading the current split system can pay itself back in no time. Leaving the system on when it’s not required is commonplace in many homes, driving costs up unnecessarily. With a smart aircon system operation is regulated based on the ambient temperature. Set it for a constant 20 or 22 degrees during the day and if the natural temperature is higher, the system automatically switches off. Like it cooler at night time? This is easy to do with all the models we install. Same with heating during the winter. This feature is helpful for those with dementia who may forget to turn off the system at times it’s not needed.
Or left the home and forgot to turn it off? With a smart aircon, operation can be done remotely, even from a long distance. And no more returning to a cold or hot home. From the smart phone app, turn on the heat or cool air and enter a pleasant, comfortable environment.
Maybe you already have an air conditioning system installed. We can upgrade it to a smart aircon system using innovative technology that can be retrofitted to any split system with an infrared remote. Now you can enjoy all the benefits of a smart air conditioner at a fraction of the price! Switch it on and off from the app remotely and easily program it to operate when a particular temperature is reached, both hot and cold.
Or maybe you’re looking for a new air conditioning system. We can install a state-of-the-art smart aircon split system in as many rooms as you need. Our premium models are feature-rich, giving you complete control to cool and heat your home from the app, no matter where you are. This makes it extremely efficient, cutting down on unnecessary costs commonly associated with aircon systems.
Simplifying home management with a smart home assistant
If a smart home sounds complicated, with multiple apps, different systems, a smart home assistant makes control seamless. The benefit is the integration of the smart home devices through a single point of contact and activating voice-control. For those with dementia or Alzheimer’s overwhelmed with life’s daily tasks and technology, the ability to interact with the home through their voice is a relief. With a simple command the door can be locked, the lights switched on or off, the aircon can be turned off on leaving. The capabilities to take over daily tasks is endless.
The most popular smart home assistants are Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home. We have experience installing all of these models and can also give advice on which is the best option.
Safety and peace of mind for dementia carers
A smart home provides peace of mind for those caring for someone with dementia. Caring for a person with dementia is challenging, filled with constant concerns about their safety and well-being. One of the biggest worries is wandering, where the individual leaves the house without the caregiver’s knowledge and gets lost. Installing a video doorbell and a smart door lock can help reduce this anxiety. The caregiver receives an immediate notification on their phone whenever the door is opened, whether someone is leaving or entering the house. If the front door isn’t used, the smart doorbell camera detects motion outside and sends a live video feed to the caregiver’s phone. This allows them to respond quickly if necessary.
A day in the life of Beth, supported by Assistive Technology
Let’s see the practical application of assistive technology by stepping through the everyday tasks someone with dementia might experience. Our case study will be looking at Beth, diagnosed with dementia but able to live at home independently.
7:00 AM
Beth has smart lighting in her bedroom. It has been programmed to slowly brighten the room, in tune with the daylight. This feature allows her to start the day in a natural and positive way. Her upgraded smart air conditioner also keeps the room at a consistent, comfortable temperature, automatically adjusting the thermostat as needed.
7:30 AM
With a simple command, Beth asks her smart home assistant to give her a run down of the day’s schedule. Some of the tasks have been set daily, like her medication routine and daily doctor visits. If a task or appointment is a one-off, she adds them to her calendar as soon as she knows the details. It has helped her stay on top of things and relieved her of the pressure of needing to remember events regularly.
9:30 AM
A home care nurse visits Beth daily at 10am. Her smart home assistant reminds her of the appointment 30 minutes beforehand.
10:00 AM
The video doorbell alerts Beth of the arrival of the home care nurse. To confirm it is the nurse, she checks the video doorbell live feed on her smartphone. As the nurse is a trusted person, she has been granted a smart door lock code to enter the house, without Beth needing to open the door for her.
11:00 AM
The nurse leaves and the front door automatically locks, as it has been programmed to do.
12:00 PM
It’s time for lunch and Beth has decided she would like to try a new recipe she found online. She asks the smart home assistant to find the recipe online and read the ingredient list and instructions to her.
3:00 PM
Beth’s smart home assistant reminds her to take some daily exercise. Her physiotherapist has created a routine for her to follow, which she accesses on her smart TV.
6:00 PM
As the light diminishes, Beth’s smart lighting system adjusts the indoor lights. She can control the brightness and colour temperature with voice commands to create a comfortable ambiance.
6:30 PM
The smart home assistant reminds her to take her medication, with her dinner. Tonight Beth doesn’t feel like cooking so she asks the smart home assistant to order from the local Asian restaurant. When the delivery person arrives at the front door 20 minutes later, she is notified of their arrival through a message to her smartphone. She checks the live video feed from the smart doorbell, making sure it is in fact the delivery person. After she has received the food delivery, the front door deadbolt automatically locks.
9:00 PM
Beth winds down for the evening. With a simple request of the smart home assistant, she turns off the lights in the living room and turns on the lights in the bedroom and bathroom.
9:30 PM
Before going to sleep, Beth quickly confirms using her smartphone that the front door is locked and all the lights in the house are off. The smart thermostat has been programmed to adjust automatically to a cooler temperature for a comfortable night’s rest.
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
It’s a privilege to enhance the lives of many through the installation of assistive technology in homes. Daily we are given access to NDIS participants’ homes and lives and it’s a service we hope to continue providing for years ahead. We look forward to extending these benefits to those with dementia and Alzheimer’s, which could be you or the person under your care.
Like to learn more about the best assistive technology solutions for your home, take advantage of our free quote offer. We’ll come to the home, evaluate the situation, and provide you with a personalised plan for your consideration. Please contact us and schedule your free quote or installation today.
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.
