Technology for safety of elders: many options, but very few adoptions Premium

According to those working in the home security industry, technological solutions for the safety of senior citizens have seen very less adoption in the city, although there are several options available.

Vinod Gopalakrishnan, who lives in Kasavanahalli off Sarjapur Road, has installed four surveillance cameras at his mother’s house. His mother lives in an independent house about a kilometre away from his place. The cameras face the road, the property gate, and the main door of the house.

“It is a safe residential area and there have been no major incidents.; Only minor things like someone coming in and cutting her banana stem,” Goplakrishnan says. “But it’s better to have these precautions in place,” he adds. Gopalakrishnan, as well as his sister who lives in the US, can see the live feed from the cameras on their mobile phones.

A program manager with Kyndryl, Mr. Gopalakrishnan, has secured his own house too with systems that include monitoring devices, motion detectors, and intrusion alarms. However, he belongs to a minority population who has turned to tech for the safety of the elders.

According to those working in the home security industry, technological solutions for the safety of senior citizens have seen very less adoption in the city, although there are several options available.

Amit Didwania, senior director of sales and marketing at MAKc Automations, notes that security solutions for an independent house start from the gate. “There is geofencing technology which sets off a physical alarm and alarm on your phone in real-time if somebody crosses your geofence,” Mr. Didwania said.

As you move in towards the main door, there are smart electronic locks that would allow the owner to operate the lock from anywhere in the world. Mr. Didwania notes that a smart lock integrated with a video doorbell would add an extra layer to the security systems at home.

“This comes either with a mobile application or a monitor solution that you can install inside the house. This way, you can see who is outside and interact with them if necessary. Some people, especially children with elderly parents alone at home, find the mobile application more convenient. This way, they can see what’s happening at home even when they are away,” Mr. Didwania said.