RESOURCES
Consumer Guides
These guides provide more detailed information on smart home automation and related device and service applications for independent and assisted living facilities. You'll also find below, a description of the smart grid and its relevance to you, and a helpful glossary of commonly used terms in the smart device and service arena.
Smart Devices & Services for Independent Living
This Guide describes how smart devices and smart utility pricing programs enhance independent living for people with a range of disabilities. The Guide was produced with contributions from leading members of Illinois' disability community including the state's adaptive technology and disability waiver program offices and partner organizations.
DOWNLOAD GUIDE this link will open in a new tabSmart Devices & Services for Independent Living - Accessible Version
This Guide describes how smart devices and smart utility pricing programs enhance independent living for people with a range of disabilities. The Guide was produced with contributions from leading members of Illinois' disability community including the state's adaptive technology and disability waiver program offices and partner organizations.
DOWNLOAD GUIDE this link will open in a new tabConsumer Guide to Aging in Place: Smart Technology and Services
An easy to read guide describing how smart devices can enhance anyone's safety, security, comfort and convenience while reducing their utility costs. The guide also lists devices currently on the market and provides tips on their selection, purchase and installation.
DOWNLOAD GUIDE this link will open in a new tabCare Provider's Guide to Smart Home Devices & Services
This Guide describes how existing smart devices can be employed to assist family members and professional care providers who are caring for seniors with cognitive (mild cognitive impairment, dementia), sensory (blind, deaf), or physical (mobility) challenges. Its contents are informed by in-depth survey research and an examination of smart home products currently on the market that support both seniors and people with disabilities. The Guide also contains customized programming routines and instructional protocols for the most important smart devices in caring for a senior or a person with disabilities. This same guidance is also being shared with device manufacturers in hopes that they will further disseminate the resource to consumers of their products in the future.
DOWNLOAD GUIDE this link will open in a new tabSmart Device Applications for Resident Care in Independent & Assisted Living Facilities - The Care Manager’s Guide
This guide will inform care managers and staff about the beneficial uses of smart devices to enhance resident care and quality of life. The content is based on an extensive review of the literature and both survey and interview input from administrators, engineers, and care providers at nine independent and assisted living facilities across Illinois. In addition to a discussion of the most relevant smart device applications, the guide describes how they can be used to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on care providers, care recipients and their families.
DOWNLOAD GUIDE this link will open in a new tabSmart Devices & Services Supporting Independent & Assisted Living Facilities - The Administrator’s & Engineer’s Guide
This guide will describe how smart devices and smart grid services can improve the quality of life and affordability for seniors residing in independent and assisted living facilities, and the technical and operational requirements to accommodate their use.
DOWNLOAD GUIDE this link will open in a new tabOther resources you might find helpful:
The Smart Grid
The Smart Grid is a nickname for the utility power distribution system enabled by computer technology and two-way digital communication networking. All homeowners in the Ameren Illinois and ComEd service territories now have digital smart meters that facilitate this networking and enable use of some smart devices currently on the market.
Glossary
The Glossary includes a set of terms commonly used in descriptions of smart devices.These are written in plain, non-technical English and will serve as a helpful reference when you are exploring the selection and purchase of these devices for your home or residential facility.