Written by Simrin Pardal, OT Reg. (Ont.)
With artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on the rise, the use of AI to create enhanced living environments or smarter homes is also growing.
AI technologies can be used in the home to increase independence in managing and controlling the home environment through automation technologies.
Common home systems integrated with smart homes include speakers, lighting, locks, kitchen appliances, thermostats, cameras, and sensors. These are often integrated through AI technology with the use of a centralized hub which allows the user to manage all devices from one platform, such as Google Home.
Perhaps one of the most common forms of AI technology found in many households today are voice-activated assistants, such as Amazon’s Alexa or a Google Assistant. These devices can be paired with home systems and then provided with voice commands to support you, such as asking to turn on your Smart TV or turning off your bedroom lights.
Beyond voice activated technologies, apps can be used to control a home environment. From just the touch of your finger on your phone, you could lock your house door from anywhere.
AI technologies have the potential to improve accessibility as their intuitive use and design features enable autonomy in managing your living environment.
Current advancements in AI technologies related to persons with disabilities include eye-tracking systems. These systems are typically more costly and personalized by learning from user data, such as eye patterns and behaviours.
Moreover, AI technologies are making their way into home-based health care. Conversational AI assistants, such as Layla, Alayacare’s AI agent, can be used to manage information and assist in the delivery of care.
This is valuable for caregivers that may not always be around as this system can monitor and record data, and then provide a summary to the caregiver, such as about their loved one’s most recent visit with their nurse.
These sorts of AI technologies can also provide predictive analytics related to health data, such as monitoring your blood glucose levels and providing you with a notification when it is too low or too high. It may then provide health advice like providing suggestions of potential meals to consume or to go to the ER.
Why do advancements of these sorts matter?
They provide users with options that can meet their specific needs. For instance, an individual with low vision may prefer a voice-activated assistant over controlling their home from an app on their phone.
Those with cognitive concerns that may be wishing to age in their home can be better supported with AI technology as their caregiver can better monitor them and their health.
A consideration with such technology that must be made is the cost of set-up. There are costs associated with devices and installation. Some of these are one-time costs, while others may incur ongoing charges, such as those associated with maintenance.
Additionally, the more home systems you integrate with AI technology, such as lighting and sensors, the more costs you are likely to incur. However, in the long run these costs may be an effective decision.
Benefits of incorporating AI technology in your home include safety, such as having sensors for smoke and gas detection. It can also lead to sustainability and resource management as you could monitor water or energy usage.
One of the main concerns with AI technology is the privacy and security aspect of it. These systems can log health metrics and user data. This may be meaningless in some cases, such as logging your water consumption. However, having a record of your personalized health information may hold a greater potential for harm if gotten into the wrong hands.
Many people do not think to create enhanced living environments until a problem occurs.
For instance, Jill, 34 years old, sustained a complete T4 injury after a car accident leaving her paralyzed from the chest down. She receives PSW support twice daily for help with basic self-care tasks. Jill has decided to purchase a Google Assistant to better support her in her home. She seeks out assistance for professional installation and pairing of the device with other home systems. She can now open the door for her PSW by giving her Google Assistant a voice command. She now has more independence with managing her home environment.
While Jill’s example is one, which occurred early in her life, others may not decide to integrate AI technology in their home until much later, such as a family member purchasing the technology for a loved one with cognitive decline that wants to stay at home.
From a cost-effective standpoint, the earlier one integrates AI technology to create a smarter home, the better use they are likely to get from it.
At GLA Rehab, our occupational therapists complete home-based assessments and assist you with selecting technology to integrate into your home which can be beneficial for you.
Our Rehab Therapists will also help you to learn the technology and practicing using it in real time.
Please call us with any questions at 416-449-6466.
References
AlayaCare. (2025). Guide: The Future of AI in Home-Based Care. https://alayacare.com/blog/the-future-of-ai-in-home-based-care/
Gibson, D. (2024, December 3). How AI Smart Home Tech Will Improve Lives for Seniors and People With Disabilities. Accessibility.Works. https://www.accessibility.works/blog/ai-smart-home-accessibility/
United Nations. (2024, December 2). Building an accessible future for all: AI and the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. United Nations: Regional Information Centre for Western Europe. https://unric.org/en/building-an-accessible-future-for-all-ai-and-the-inclusion-of-persons-with-disabilities/