In addition to addressing potential concerns like wandering, falling, or cooking safety, SimplyHome systems can also provide verbal prompts to individuals, promoting skill development and cuing activities of daily living.
The SimplyHome system can be customized to remind individuals to complete tasks such as brushing one’s teeth, taking medication, preparing food, washing clothes, or taking a shower at a specific time of day.
Additionally, if a person forgets to complete an important task (such as turning off the stove), the system can provide an audible reminder or a text to a smartphone, before contacting a caregiver or staff support.
Who can benefit?
Individuals who live in supported living, independent living, or transitional settings
Individuals who are supported by staff around the clock for “just in case” situations
Individuals who are aging or living with Alzheimer’s or other type of dementia
Individuals with various disabilities, disorders, and conditions, including people with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, quadriplegia, and people who are TBI survivors
What results can we expect?
Opportunities for independence and self-determination
People are able to live a life of their choosing, where and with whom they choose.
Ongoing and consistent skill development and teachable moments
Enhanced independence and reduction of onsite staffing for “just in case” situations
Proactive caregiver responses prompted by the sensor-based system, which is able to cue activities of daily life and monitor for lapses in daily routines
What technology can help?
A SimplyHome System, including components such as:
Customized verbal prompts for daily routines
Door, window, and motion sensors in living spaces
Bed and chair pressure pads (works with prompts to start and end the day)
Stove sensors, motion sensors, verbal cues (to promote safe meal preparation)
What types of alerts and prompts can be set up?
Here are some sample situations in which staff, family members, and/or the individuals themselves can receive alerts:
If the stove is left on for a specified amount of time, an individual will receive a prompt to turn it off
If a person does not get out of bed or leave the house by a certain time, that person can receive a prompt to start their day
Daily routines such as hygiene, chores, and meal preparation can be prompted at the same time each day
When setting up a new supportive technology system, we focus on the individual’s priorities and goals for himself or herself first, then seek to address caregiver concerns.
David's Story
After completing a 2-year college program to learn how to live independently, David decided he wanted his own apartment. His mother supported this decision but wanted a way for David to be reminded of his routines in case he forgot. We programmed the SimplyHome system with customized messages for David to give him auditory cues. When David leaves the stove on, he is reminded to check his cooking activity. When he prepares to leave in the morning, opening the front door alerts him to get his keys and lock his apartment. If he’s moving slowly in the morning, the system reminds him that it’s getting close to the time he needs to go to work.
