Helping Hands Living Solutions

Smart Home - Concerns

January 12, 2026

         Smart Home offers endless advantages for seniors and disabled aging in place by boosting safety (smart lighting, fall detection), security (smart locks, outdoor cameras), independence (voice control for lights, thermostats, and medication reminders), health (remote monitoring of vitals as well as activity), entertainment (news and music), and connection (video calls and smart notes).   A multitude of integrated devices create a very custom, supportive environment that reduces aging in place obstacles and improves quality of life.


Concerns & Solutions:


Smart Home Solutions are sometimes avoided due to several concerns regarding privacy and security, a perceived lack of ease of use, high costs concerns, and the unfamiliarity of the technology.  


Key reasons for Smart Home avoidance include: 

  •         Privacy and Security Concerns: The most significant barrier is the fear of being constantly monitored.  Devices like smart speakers and cameras are often feared to be recording without permission. There is ongoing worry about how manufacturers collect, store, and potentially sell personal habit data.  It is wise to worry about data being collected by manufacturers or hacked by strangers, potentially leading to identity theft, fraud, or misuse of health information. 

            Helping Hands Living Solutions agree that security is our number one issue to address as we design solutions.  What we can do is ensure that the security and privacy policies of the Smart Home components are clearly understood and shared with the customer.

         As we install the solution, we will discuss good access policies as well as strong passwords.  Also, we plan to provide maintenance services to keep your Smart Home devices updated and secured.  

         Privacy concerns are another focus solution for Helping Hands Living Solutions.  While we recommend cameras outside the home, inside the home we will focus on presence sensors, and other devices to be able to provide alerts without recording a video stream.  Voice assistant displays and other devices with built in microphones and cameras will be identified, and the practice of keeping interior cameras off unless in use will be introduced.


                          

  •         Usability and Complexity: Many devices are not designed with the physical and cognitive needs of older adults in mind (e.g. small text and complex menus). The difficulty of initial setup, unreliable connectivity, and frequent technical problems reduce trust and can cause anxiety or frustration, making users feel incapable of operating the technology. 

            Helping Hands Living Solutions will perform the set-up and integration of our Smart Home solutions.  With our knowledge of Wi-Fi, as well as the various Smart Home protocols. We can take these issues into account and utilize our experience to solve these problems.  Our focus with the customer will be the actual usability of the devices, and we will provide training on how the components are utilized as fully integrated Smart Home components.

     

  • Cost and Affordability: The initial purchase price and ongoing maintenance or subscription fees can be prohibitively expensive, especially for those on a fixed income. Seniors often weigh the perceived benefits against the high financial costs, and if the value is not immediately apparent, they are less likely to invest.  

        Fortunately, the vast majority of smart home devices are truly 'set-it-and-forget-it'—once installed, they require no ongoing fees or attention. As long as we budget the initial costs and, if necessary, build the solution over the course of several months, we can provide a starter solution and build on it over time.  There are some devices and services that we would need to ensure we fully discuss before a final purchase is made.  Some devices have batteries that will require on-going charging (time cost).  Also, a few devices do have monthly maintenance fees (security monitoring services and medication dispensers).  We have researched these concerns and will discuss them with you as we design your Smart Home solution.

  •         Stigma and Loss of Autonomy: Using assistive technology can be seen as a sign of a loss of independence. This is exacerbated when installing monitoring systems without the input of the customer, creating a feeling of being controlled rather than supported.

        At Helping Hands Living Solutions, we understand the need for conversations with the homeowner and the caregivers to set expectations of what is the value of a particular device, and how it can be used in a manner acceptable to all parties.


  •         Lack of Perceived Benefit:Some older adults simply do not see a need for smart home devices, feeling they have lived a fulfilling life without them and see no reason to change their established routines. The benefits may be more obvious to caregivers than to the older person themselves. 

           Once again, this is best resolved by having very frank conversations about what certain devices can and cannot do.  Also, while most Smart Home solutions we designed are focused on the physical needs of the user; we cannot forget that most of these devices also serve an entertainment purpose.  While it may seem silly to talk to Alexa, we have had some very valuable interactions doing just that with an Alexa brainstorming Q&A session.  Also, having KSHE playing in the office Alexa has shown us value in making a boring office day feel a little more entertaining.


  •         Support Issues: Malfunctioning devices, false alarms, and a lack of timely and professional technical support can quickly erode trust in the technology's effectiveness and safety.  

        This is where Helping Hands Living Solutions can really shine.  We are not just a Smart Home integration provider, but also provide on-going solutions for device maintenance.  Our entire model is to provide on-going support services for our customers and the solutions we provide which includes an on-call Smart Home maintenance service.


  •         Connectivity: Smart home connectivity issues often stem from weak Wi-Fi, network congestion, or outdated firmware, fixed by restarting devices/routers, optimizing router placement (central, elevated), separating 2.4GHz/5GHz bands, updating software, or using mesh systems for dead zones. 
        Dependence on Wi-Fi means outages disrupt functionality and devices may become unresponsive, lose connection, or fail due to software issues or server shutdowns. Helping Hands Living Solution is going to be your integration specialist.  We will look closely at your existing Wi-Fi, and identify issues and recommend solutions.  
 
All the Smart Home connectivity to your existing network will be performed by us, and then we will explain how everything functions normally, as well as what will work and won’t work in the event that the Wi-Fi network is down.  Current average Wi-Fi uptime statistics show extremely high reliability, with median uptimes often reaching 99.99% or more for well-managed networks, meaning downtime is usually minutes per year.
 
Smart Home technologies create an integrated system, often using AI to learn patterns, making homes more supportive, safer, and comfortable for seniors who wish to live independently longer.  With the correct placement of devices and the building of Smart Home routines; endless customized solutions can be provided to assist with any physical or mental disability.