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Top Monitoring Systems For Seniors and Older Adults
An elderly loved one needs someone in their lives keeping track of them at home, including when doors open unexpectedly or medication goes missing. A monitoring system can keep everyone involved informed. Plus, it provides records and alerts you of their activities, such as door openings or missed doses of medicine. Not to mention it allows our Seniors to maintain a sense of privacy and safety.
We recommend considering your elderly parents’ cognitive issues and health needs to determine the appropriate monitoring device. For instance, someone living with dementia might require a system that automatically calls for help when they fall.
See our list of the most user friendly tech gadgets for older adults.
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit (2nd Generation)
The Ring Alarm has quickly become one of the most sought-after security systems available today for good reason: it’s simple and effortless to install without needing professional installation services; offers reasonable home monitoring packages; and integrates seamlessly with Amazon Echo devices.
Second-Gen Sensors Are Smaller And Lighter Unlike Their Predecessors, the new second-generation sensors are smaller and lighter than their predecessors, easily mounting with double-sided tape rather than drilling into your walls. With an app featuring step-by-step instructions with photos and videos for each device setup. You can add more contact, motion, doorbell sensors later – they come pre-paired with their respective base stations/keypads.
Add Ring’s professional monitoring service for $10-per-month and benefit from live representatives who call your phone when the system is armed or disarmed, enabling two-way talk with any intruders or sending police to your house as needed. Its alarm is loud enough to wake anyone within your house. Unfortunately, Google Assistant or IFTTT don’t work well with this system, though Alexa works well allowing you to arm/disarm with voice-command.
Pros:
- Easy installation and setup
- Expandable system with additional accessories
- Professional monitoring options available
- Integration with other Ring devices
- User-friendly mobile app
Cons:
- Subscription required for advanced features
- Limited camera options within the kit
- Some users have reported false alarms
The Arlo Pro 3 features an elegant and compact design. Installation on flat walls with its magnetic mount “snapping” into place is made simple; additional mounting options exist such as using a screwdriver to fasten it to door or window frames with brackets.
Arlo Smart comes with a three-month free trial of its service, providing cloud storage of up to 30 days, smart alerts and custom activity zones (so you can ignore things like cars or children’s bikes). Furthermore, smoke and carbon monoxide alarm detection send notifications directly to smartphones when either one is detected; additionally it can even call 911 in certain countries such as the U.S.
Arlo’s loud siren can easily scare off intruders and the camera emits flashing LED lights to warn off potential threats. You’ll pay extra if you wish to record audio up to 2K resolution resolution; there is also an integrated spotlight available as an added feature of Arlo app with easy interface for customizing Armed mode settings.
Pros:
- High-definition video quality
- Wire-free installation
- Advanced features like color night vision and motion tracking
- Customizable activity zones
- Works with popular smart home platforms
Cons:
- More expensive compared to some other systems
- Limited field of view compared to some competitors
- Continuous video recording requires a subscription
- Some users have reported connectivity issues
The Wyze Cam Pan is packed with features you would expect from more expensive models, including facial recognition and automatic tracking. In addition, voice commands work seamlessly with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant; its price point cannot be beat; plus this camera even panned unlike some competitors!
Setup of this camera is simple and includes a wall mount. Live stream 1080p HD video, communicate with family using two-way audio communication and get alerts of motion or sounds through two-way audio streaming.
The Wyze Cam Pan offers remarkable night vision, recognizing 18 shades of gray for clear images even under less-than-ideal conditions. It can be set off by light (sold separately) or smoke and CO alarms – making it particularly helpful for older adults who may miss hearing an alarm or forget to check it regularly. Furthermore, the camera offers free 14-day cloud storage for Event Videos recorded locally; you can add a micro SD card to record locally if desired and uses end-to-end encryption when uploading/downloading files; old events get automatically overwritten on servers – ideal for older adults!
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Pan and tilt functionality for flexible monitoring
- Motion tracking feature
- Free cloud storage for recorded footage
- Works with the Wyze app and integrates with other Wyze devices
Cons:
- Lower resolution compared to some competitors
- Limited compatibility with third-party smart home platforms
- Some users have reported occasional software glitches
SimpliSafe’s user-friendly equipment makes setup and use simple. Furthermore, they do away with lengthy contracts in favor of affordable month-to-month subscriptions that you can cancel whenever necessary.
The company’s “Duress Pin” feature allows you to type in an alternate code in case someone tries to force their way into your home, alerting the police. Other features include a 1,000-foot range, cellular backup for when cords become cut or power is lost and battery backup in case the base station becomes depowered.
A standard SimpliSafe package starts at $245 before discounts, including a white base station, siren and keypad that serves as the cornerstone of all SimpliSafe packages, one door or window sensor and one motion sensor – as well as one of each type available in later packages if needed – plus one door/window sensor and motion sensor each (door or window sensors can be added later) along with one SimpliCam indoor video camera that streams HD video with 120-degree field of vision day or night, streaming HD video for an additional monthly fee; as part of either Standard or Interactive plans you can add professional monitoring plans that call 911 should your system detect an emergency situation occurring – ideal if purchasing the Standard/Interactive plan!
Pros:
- Easy DIY installation
- Customizable system based on home size and needs
- Optional professional monitoring available
- No long-term contracts required
- User-friendly mobile app
Cons:
- Limited camera options within the kit
- Additional fees for professional monitoring and certain features
- Some users have reported false alarms
- Limited smart home integration compared to some competitors
SimpliSafe’s user-friendly equipment makes setup and use simple. Furthermore, they do away with lengthy contracts in favor of affordable month-to-month subscriptions that you can cancel whenever necessary.
The company’s “Duress Pin” feature allows you to type in an alternate code in case someone tries to force their way into your home, alerting the police. Other features include a 1,000-foot range, cellular backup for when cords become cut or power is lost and battery backup in case the base station becomes depowered.
A standard SimpliSafe package starts at $245 before discounts, including a white base station, siren and keypad that serves as the cornerstone of all SimpliSafe packages, one door or window sensor and one motion sensor – as well as one of each type available in later packages if needed – plus one door/window sensor and motion sensor each (door or window sensors can be added later) along with one SimpliCam indoor video camera that streams HD video with 120-degree field of vision day or night, streaming HD video for an additional monthly fee; as part of either Standard or Interactive plans you can add professional monitoring plans that call 911 should your system detect an emergency situation occurring – ideal if purchasing the Standard/Interactive plan!
Pros:
- High-quality video streaming with 24/7 live view
- Integration with the Google Home ecosystem
- Works with Google Assistant for voice control
- Two-way audio for communication
- User-friendly mobile app
Cons:
- More expensive compared to some other cameras
- Limited local storage options
- Requires a stable internet connection for optimal performance
- Some users have reported occasional lag in live streaming
