November 21, 2025 • 15 mins
Got a comment or idea? Send us a text.
How can smart security systems do more than just protect against intruders?
In this episode of the Aging in Place Directory Podcast, we explore how today’s connected technology—like video doorbells, smart locks, motion sensors, and monitoring tools—can enhance senior safety, prevent scams, support caregivers, and give older adults the independence they deserve.
We share real-life examples, practical tips for choosing the right system, and a look ahead at how smart home security is merging with health monitoring to shape the future of aging in place.
Whether you’re a senior living alone, a family caregiver, or simply planning ahead, this episode is packed with insights to help make home the safest place to grow older.
Thanks for listening!
Sign up to our Homeowners Newsletter - it's a weekly newsletter filled with expert tips and advice on how to age safely and more comfortably in your own home.
If you provide services for modifying homes for disabled or seniors aging in place, sign up to our directory and expand your business.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Hello and welcome back to the Aging in Place
Directory podcast, where we talkabout all the ways seniors and
their families can make homelife not just safer but easier,
more comfortable and moreenjoyable.
I'm your host, robin Schiltz,and today's episode is one that
hits home for a lot of families,and I mean that both
(00:53):
figuratively and literally.
We're looking into the world ofsmart security systems and how
they can support senior safety.
Now, when most people hear theterm security system, they think
of protecting a home fromburglars and yes, that's
definitely part of it.
But for seniors, a smartsecurity system can be so much
(01:14):
more.
It can provide peace of mind,prevent falls, help caregivers
stay connected and even makeday-to-day life a little easier.
This is one of those topicsthat I wish I'd known more about
with my own parents.
When my mom got older, she wasnervous about people coming to
the door, especially in theevenings, and after she passed
(01:35):
away, my dad had a tendency togo out and do yard work in the
backyard, where none of hisneighbors could see him and
without letting me know he wouldbe out there.
It scared me to think that hecould fall and no one would know
for hours or possibly even days.
My aunt does this now and itscares my cousin as well, so I
can tell you firsthand thattechnology can be an incredible
(01:59):
ally for both the senior and thefamily members who want to keep
them safe.
So today we're going to explorewhat smart security systems are
and how they work, the keyfeatures that actually matter
when we're talking about olderadults, some real world stories
of how this technology canprevent accidents and give you
(02:20):
peace of mind, some tips forchoosing the right system for
yourself or a loved one, and, ofcourse, some of the challenges
to watch out for, like privacyconcerns and system complexity.
By the end of this episode,you're going to have a good idea
of how security technology canbe much more than just an alarm
(02:40):
that goes off when someone'sbreaking in.
It can be a safety net thatsupports aging in place.
All right, let's get started.
So let's start with the basics.
What do I mean by smartsecurity systems?
In the old days, a homesecurity system was pretty
simple you had some sensors onthe doors and windows, maybe a
(03:02):
loud alarm and, if you werelucky, a call to a monitoring
service when something triggeredit.
Fast forward to today andtechnology has completely
changed the game.
Modern smart security systemsare connected to Wi-Fi.
They include devices like smartcameras, doorbell cameras,
motion sensors, smart locks andvoice assistants.
(03:25):
They're controlled through anapp on your phone or even with
just your voice, and they don'tjust sound an alarm.
They can alert you instantly,no matter where you are.
They can show you who's at thefront door.
They can even allow you tounlock or lock the front door
remotely.
For families with older adults,this means a security system
(03:46):
can act like an extra set ofeyes and ears watching out for
unusual activity.
But it can also be part ofdaily life, for example,
unlocking the door for avisiting caregiver without ever
having to get up, or checkingthe garage if someone thinks
they heard a noise.
Now, the word smart in smartsystem doesn't mean complicated.
(04:09):
It actually means that thesystem is designed to make life
simpler through automation.
When you add in voice control,like Amazon Alexa or Google
Assistant, it becomes extrapowerful for seniors with
limited mobility.
They don't even have to use anapp.
They can just say Alexa, lockthe front door and it's done.
(04:31):
So what are the most valuablefeatures for older adults?
Let's break it down.
There are smart doorbellcameras, which are huge for
senior safety.
The senior can see who's at thedoor without having to get up.
This is not just about burglars, it's also about avoiding scams
.
Sadly, older adults arefrequently targets for
(04:53):
door-to-door scams orhigh-pressure salespeople.
A video doorbell allows them tosee and even talk to someone at
the door without opening it,and family members can check the
same camera, too, from theirown phones.
Then there's motion sensors.
These can serve double duty.
Yes, they detect intruders, butthey can also show family
(05:16):
members if mom or dad is movingaround the house at unusual
hours.
If a caregiver notices theloved one is constantly
wandering at 2 am, that could bethe sign of a sleep problem or
early dementia.
Then there are smart locks.
These are life-changing.
There's no more fumbling withkeys.
Lock these are life-changing.
(05:38):
There's no more fumbling withkeys.
Many systems allow doors tounlock with a code, a smartphone
or even your voice.
For seniors with arthritis orhand weakness, that can be a
huge benefit For families.
Being able to create temporarycodes for caregivers adds both
convenience and security.
Then there are indoor cameras.
Selectively used Cameras are alittle tricky because of privacy
(06:02):
issues, but when used correctly, they can help in specific
areas, for example, checkingthat dad made it safely from the
bedroom to the kitchen withouta fall.
Shared responsibilityagreements are very important
here, so that everyone feelscomfortable.
And then there's emergencyalerts and integrations.
(06:23):
Some systems can connectdirectly with fall detectors or
panic buttons, which means thatif a senior presses a wearable
emergency button, the securitysystem also alerts family
members and even lights up partof the house for easier
visibility.
The beauty here is that a smartsecurity system can be
(06:44):
customized.
It doesn't have to be aone-size-fits-all box.
You pick the devices thataddress the safety issues you
actually have, whether that'sfall monitoring, preventing
scams at the door or keepingtrack of nighttime wandering.
So let's put this into some reallife context.
(07:05):
These are examples that I'veseen happen and I'm betting many
of you will recognize them inyour own family situations.
Scenario one the mysteriousvisitor.
So my 98-year-old aunt haslived alone for several years
during the day.
My cousin lives with her, buthe's gone to work, so she's
(07:27):
alone during the day.
One evening or, excuse me,afternoon, she told me that
someone rang the doorbell.
They claimed to be from a localtree service.
She didn't know if he waslegitimate or not and it scared
her.
If she'd had a video doorbellat the time she could have seen
the person without going to thedoor.
Luckily I happened to be on thephone with her, but if she'd
(07:51):
have been by herself, you cansee how that would be scary.
And my cousin, who's living inanother town, could have pulled
up the video feed instantly ifmy aunt had not been on the
phone with me.
Scenario two is nighttimewandering.
So I remember a friend whosefather had dementia.
(08:12):
He would sometimes wander outof the house at night, not
realizing what he was doing.
So the family installed doorsensors connected to their
phones.
The very first night they didthis, they got an alert at 3 am
and were able to guide him backinside before he went too far
from the house.
That difference can save a life.
(08:34):
And then number three, the keyproblem.
So I live in a 55 pluscommunity and one of my
neighbors is a woman who is inher 70s.
She's constantly worrying aboutlosing her keys and misplacing
them.
So smart locks solved thatcompletely.
She and her husband set it upthat they she could just unlock
(08:57):
the door with her phone.
So each of her adult childrenand her husband all have codes.
Now nobody worries about keysgetting lost or anything being
copied anything like that.
What these scenarios show isthat smart security systems
don't just protect aboutburglars anymore.
(09:17):
They protect against loneliness, confusion, the little
accidents of everyday life thatcan spiral into bigger problems
for older adults.
So let's get practical.
If you or someone you love isconsidering adding a smart
security system, how do youchoose the right one?
Well, there's some things toconsider.
(09:38):
First is ease of use.
A system that's complicatedisn't going to get used, so look
for ones with simple apps,clear displays and, ideally,
voice controls.
Think about remote access forfamilies.
For many families, one of thebiggest advantages of a smart
system is that adult children orcaregivers can check in from
(10:01):
anywhere.
So make sure your system allowsfor multiple users and easy
sharing of information.
Then there's cost.
Some systems are DIY and don'trequire a monthly fee.
Others, especially those withprofessional monitoring, do have
a fee, so think about yourbudget and your peace of mind.
Sometimes the monthly fee isworth it for that 24-7
(10:24):
professional oversight.
Then there's scalability.
You want to start small, maybewith just a video doorbell and a
smart lock, but you want to beable to add more, like motion
sensors, cameras and windowsensors, as needs change.
Then there's privacy settings,which are very important.
(10:45):
You want to make sure everyonein the household understands
what's being recorded, who cansee it and how the information
is stored.
This avoids misunderstandingsand builds trust between family
members.
Now let's talk about some of thepotential challenges.
Again, privacy concerns.
No one wants to feel likethey're under constant
(11:07):
surveillance.
It's vital to talk openly aboutwhat devices should and
shouldn't be used.
Will you have front doorcameras?
Cameras in the bedroom?
Maybe not so great in thebedroom.
Technology overload.
Sometimes having too manygadgets is overwhelming.
That's why it's good to startsmall and build from there.
(11:28):
Then you want to talk aboutconnectivity.
All these devices depend ongood Wi-Fi.
So if your home has patchyInternet service, you may have a
problem.
Sometimes adding a Wi-Fiextender will be necessary.
And then there's false alarms.
Smart security systems canoccasionally send unnecessary
(11:50):
alerts.
Most systems learn over time,but it can take a little
patience to work with them.
All right, let's look ahead tothe future of senior safety tech
.
It's pretty exciting.
We already have cameras andsensors, but what's coming is
more predictive systems.
Imagine a system that doesn'tjust tell you the loved one got
(12:13):
up at night, but analyzes thedata and says hey, we've noticed
, dad has been waking up at 3 amevery night for the past two
weeks.
Might be worth discussing itwith his doctor.
We're also seeing integrationwith health care on the horizon
Systems that can monitoractivity and vital signs, with
data that can be securely sharedwith medical professionals if
(12:36):
the senior agrees.
There's even technology thatcan detect falls without wearing
a pendant by using radar-basedsensors or cameras.
I know a lot of seniors.
My 98-year-old aunt that I wastalking about before is one.
They resist a fall button, fallalert button, so this could be
(12:59):
huge in removing the barrier.
So when we talk about smartsecurity, what we're really
seeing is the merging of homesecurity and health monitoring,
and for seniors who want to agein place, that's a powerful
combination.
So, wrapping up today's episode,smart security systems aren't
just about keeping burglars away.
(13:20):
For seniors, they can be alifeline.
They provide safety, preventfalls, deter scams, give
caregivers peace of mind and,most importantly, help older
adults maintain theirindependence at home.
If you're considering one foryourself or a loved one, start
simple.
The video doorbell and a smartlock are two of the most
(13:42):
effective tools you can buildfrom there.
As needs change, and be sure tohave honest conversations about
privacy and make sure thesystem is easy to use.
And, as with all Aging in Placemodifications, the focus should
always be on independence,dignity and quality of life.
So that's it for today'sepisode of the Aging in Place
(14:04):
Directory podcast.
I hope this gave you a new wayto think about security
technology, not as a burden or acomplicated gadget, but as a
partner in safety andindependence.
Until next time, stay safe,stay connected and, as always,
keep making home the best placeto grow older.
Take care Bye.
Hello and welcome back to the Aging in Place
Directory podcast, where we talkabout all the ways seniors and
their families can make homelife not just safer but easier,
more comfortable and moreenjoyable.
I'm your host, robin Schiltz,and today's episode is one that
hits home for a lot of families,and I mean that both
(00:53):
figuratively and literally.
We're looking into the world ofsmart security systems and how
they can support senior safety.
Now, when most people hear theterm security system, they think
of protecting a home fromburglars and yes, that's
definitely part of it.
But for seniors, a smartsecurity system can be so much
(01:14):
more.
It can provide peace of mind,prevent falls, help caregivers
stay connected and even makeday-to-day life a little easier.
This is one of those topicsthat I wish I'd known more about
with my own parents.
When my mom got older, she wasnervous about people coming to
the door, especially in theevenings, and after she passed
(01:35):
away, my dad had a tendency togo out and do yard work in the
backyard, where none of hisneighbors could see him and
without letting me know he wouldbe out there.
It scared me to think that hecould fall and no one would know
for hours or possibly even days.
My aunt does this now and itscares my cousin as well, so I
can tell you firsthand thattechnology can be an incredible
(01:59):
ally for both the senior and thefamily members who want to keep
them safe.
So today we're going to explorewhat smart security systems are
and how they work, the keyfeatures that actually matter
when we're talking about olderadults, some real world stories
of how this technology canprevent accidents and give you
(02:20):
peace of mind, some tips forchoosing the right system for
yourself or a loved one, and, ofcourse, some of the challenges
to watch out for, like privacyconcerns and system complexity.
By the end of this episode,you're going to have a good idea
of how security technology canbe much more than just an alarm
(02:40):
that goes off when someone'sbreaking in.
It can be a safety net thatsupports aging in place.
All right, let's get started.
So let's start with the basics.
What do I mean by smartsecurity systems?
In the old days, a homesecurity system was pretty
simple you had some sensors onthe doors and windows, maybe a
(03:02):
loud alarm and, if you werelucky, a call to a monitoring
service when something triggeredit.
Fast forward to today andtechnology has completely
changed the game.
Modern smart security systemsare connected to Wi-Fi.
They include devices like smartcameras, doorbell cameras,
motion sensors, smart locks andvoice assistants.
(03:25):
They're controlled through anapp on your phone or even with
just your voice, and they don'tjust sound an alarm.
They can alert you instantly,no matter where you are.
They can show you who's at thefront door.
They can even allow you tounlock or lock the front door
remotely.
For families with older adults,this means a security system
(03:46):
can act like an extra set ofeyes and ears watching out for
unusual activity.
But it can also be part ofdaily life, for example,
unlocking the door for avisiting caregiver without ever
having to get up, or checkingthe garage if someone thinks
they heard a noise.
Now, the word smart in smartsystem doesn't mean complicated.
(04:09):
It actually means that thesystem is designed to make life
simpler through automation.
When you add in voice control,like Amazon Alexa or Google
Assistant, it becomes extrapowerful for seniors with
limited mobility.
They don't even have to use anapp.
They can just say Alexa, lockthe front door and it's done.
(04:31):
So what are the most valuablefeatures for older adults?
Let's break it down.
There are smart doorbellcameras, which are huge for
senior safety.
The senior can see who's at thedoor without having to get up.
This is not just about burglars, it's also about avoiding scams
.
Sadly, older adults arefrequently targets for
(04:53):
door-to-door scams orhigh-pressure salespeople.
A video doorbell allows them tosee and even talk to someone at
the door without opening it,and family members can check the
same camera, too, from theirown phones.
Then there's motion sensors.
These can serve double duty.
Yes, they detect intruders, butthey can also show family
(05:16):
members if mom or dad is movingaround the house at unusual
hours.
If a caregiver notices theloved one is constantly
wandering at 2 am, that could bethe sign of a sleep problem or
early dementia.
Then there are smart locks.
These are life-changing.
There's no more fumbling withkeys.
Lock these are life-changing.
(05:38):
There's no more fumbling withkeys.
Many systems allow doors tounlock with a code, a smartphone
or even your voice.
For seniors with arthritis orhand weakness, that can be a
huge benefit For families.
Being able to create temporarycodes for caregivers adds both
convenience and security.
Then there are indoor cameras.
Selectively used Cameras are alittle tricky because of privacy
(06:02):
issues, but when used correctly, they can help in specific
areas, for example, checkingthat dad made it safely from the
bedroom to the kitchen withouta fall.
Shared responsibilityagreements are very important
here, so that everyone feelscomfortable.
And then there's emergencyalerts and integrations.
(06:23):
Some systems can connectdirectly with fall detectors or
panic buttons, which means thatif a senior presses a wearable
emergency button, the securitysystem also alerts family
members and even lights up partof the house for easier
visibility.
The beauty here is that a smartsecurity system can be
(06:44):
customized.
It doesn't have to be aone-size-fits-all box.
You pick the devices thataddress the safety issues you
actually have, whether that'sfall monitoring, preventing
scams at the door or keepingtrack of nighttime wandering.
So let's put this into some reallife context.
(07:05):
These are examples that I'veseen happen and I'm betting many
of you will recognize them inyour own family situations.
Scenario one the mysteriousvisitor.
So my 98-year-old aunt haslived alone for several years
during the day.
My cousin lives with her, buthe's gone to work, so she's
(07:27):
alone during the day.
One evening or, excuse me,afternoon, she told me that
someone rang the doorbell.
They claimed to be from a localtree service.
She didn't know if he waslegitimate or not and it scared
her.
If she'd had a video doorbellat the time she could have seen
the person without going to thedoor.
Luckily I happened to be on thephone with her, but if she'd
(07:51):
have been by herself, you cansee how that would be scary.
And my cousin, who's living inanother town, could have pulled
up the video feed instantly ifmy aunt had not been on the
phone with me.
Scenario two is nighttimewandering.
So I remember a friend whosefather had dementia.
(08:12):
He would sometimes wander outof the house at night, not
realizing what he was doing.
So the family installed doorsensors connected to their
phones.
The very first night they didthis, they got an alert at 3 am
and were able to guide him backinside before he went too far
from the house.
That difference can save a life.
(08:34):
And then number three, the keyproblem.
So I live in a 55 pluscommunity and one of my
neighbors is a woman who is inher 70s.
She's constantly worrying aboutlosing her keys and misplacing
them.
So smart locks solved thatcompletely.
She and her husband set it upthat they she could just unlock
(08:57):
the door with her phone.
So each of her adult childrenand her husband all have codes.
Now nobody worries about keysgetting lost or anything being
copied anything like that.
What these scenarios show isthat smart security systems
don't just protect aboutburglars anymore.
(09:17):
They protect against loneliness, confusion, the little
accidents of everyday life thatcan spiral into bigger problems
for older adults.
So let's get practical.
If you or someone you love isconsidering adding a smart
security system, how do youchoose the right one?
Well, there's some things toconsider.
(09:38):
First is ease of use.
A system that's complicatedisn't going to get used, so look
for ones with simple apps,clear displays and, ideally,
voice controls.
Think about remote access forfamilies.
For many families, one of thebiggest advantages of a smart
system is that adult children orcaregivers can check in from
(10:01):
anywhere.
So make sure your system allowsfor multiple users and easy
sharing of information.
Then there's cost.
Some systems are DIY and don'trequire a monthly fee.
Others, especially those withprofessional monitoring, do have
a fee, so think about yourbudget and your peace of mind.
Sometimes the monthly fee isworth it for that 24-7
(10:24):
professional oversight.
Then there's scalability.
You want to start small, maybewith just a video doorbell and a
smart lock, but you want to beable to add more, like motion
sensors, cameras and windowsensors, as needs change.
Then there's privacy settings,which are very important.
(10:45):
You want to make sure everyonein the household understands
what's being recorded, who cansee it and how the information
is stored.
This avoids misunderstandingsand builds trust between family
members.
Now let's talk about some of thepotential challenges.
Again, privacy concerns.
No one wants to feel likethey're under constant
(11:07):
surveillance.
It's vital to talk openly aboutwhat devices should and
shouldn't be used.
Will you have front doorcameras?
Cameras in the bedroom?
Maybe not so great in thebedroom.
Technology overload.
Sometimes having too manygadgets is overwhelming.
That's why it's good to startsmall and build from there.
(11:28):
Then you want to talk aboutconnectivity.
All these devices depend ongood Wi-Fi.
So if your home has patchyInternet service, you may have a
problem.
Sometimes adding a Wi-Fiextender will be necessary.
And then there's false alarms.
Smart security systems canoccasionally send unnecessary
(11:50):
alerts.
Most systems learn over time,but it can take a little
patience to work with them.
All right, let's look ahead tothe future of senior safety tech
.
It's pretty exciting.
We already have cameras andsensors, but what's coming is
more predictive systems.
Imagine a system that doesn'tjust tell you the loved one got
(12:13):
up at night, but analyzes thedata and says hey, we've noticed
, dad has been waking up at 3 amevery night for the past two
weeks.
Might be worth discussing itwith his doctor.
We're also seeing integrationwith health care on the horizon
Systems that can monitoractivity and vital signs, with
data that can be securely sharedwith medical professionals if
(12:36):
the senior agrees.
There's even technology thatcan detect falls without wearing
a pendant by using radar-basedsensors or cameras.
I know a lot of seniors.
My 98-year-old aunt that I wastalking about before is one.
They resist a fall button, fallalert button, so this could be
(12:59):
huge in removing the barrier.
So when we talk about smartsecurity, what we're really
seeing is the merging of homesecurity and health monitoring,
and for seniors who want to agein place, that's a powerful
combination.
So, wrapping up today's episode,smart security systems aren't
just about keeping burglars away.
(13:20):
For seniors, they can be alifeline.
They provide safety, preventfalls, deter scams, give
caregivers peace of mind and,most importantly, help older
adults maintain theirindependence at home.
If you're considering one foryourself or a loved one, start
simple.
The video doorbell and a smartlock are two of the most
(13:42):
effective tools you can buildfrom there.
As needs change, and be sure tohave honest conversations about
privacy and make sure thesystem is easy to use.
And, as with all Aging in Placemodifications, the focus should
always be on independence,dignity and quality of life.
So that's it for today'sepisode of the Aging in Place
(14:04):
Directory podcast.
I hope this gave you a new wayto think about security
technology, not as a burden or acomplicated gadget, but as a
partner in safety andindependence.
Until next time, stay safe,stay connected and, as always,
keep making home the best placeto grow older.
Take care Bye.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com