How smart home automation can be used to improve quality of life for the elderly, people with limited mobility or other disabilities

This is an example of one of an assisted living automation installation we have recently done for a disabled gentleman.

We have used a LUTRON RA 2 system.

The video is a brief look at what the equipment, installation and function example using the app and amazons alexa.

The full description is below the video

The System we have used is a LUTRON RA 2 SELECT system.

Lutron are one of the world leaders in lighting and power control.

Lutron have another system called HOMEWORKS. The HOMEWORKS system is hard wired and for larger residential or commercial installations and is a considerably more expensive installation. Another market leader in home automation is CONTROL 4.

If you do not have the budget for a HOMEWORKS or CONTROL 4 SYETEM The RA 2 SELECT system we have installed here is an affordable way to fully automate a smaller residential and commercial projects. (roughly up to 6 bedroom house or 5 storey office block)

If you have a larger installation we use a fully wired system by Hamilton. This is a more advanced system with unlimited capacity and still is a fraction of the cost of HOMEWORKS or CONTROL 4 Systems.

RA 2 SELECT can be used as a retro fit system on an existing installation or in new build installations.

The retro fit installation is good for people who want to automate their home with minimal damage as the house is fully decorated and there is no way to install new cables.

There are 3 ranges for PICO switches (light switches)

• On off
• On off dim up and down
• Scene

If you have 4 different lighting zones you want top switch in a kitchen example

• Island pendants
• Under cabinet lights
• Dining table pendants
• Spot lights

You can either have 4 dim PICOS which will give you a way of switching and diming all the circuits individually

Or have a scene PICO which gives you the ability to program a number of circuits to come on together at what ever lighting level you like at the push of 1 button. Scene buttons are much better when you have multiple lighting zones you need to control in 1 room and less light switches on the wall.

The system can also be controlled by voice using amazons Alexa Google or Apple.

The PICOS are completely wireless so that can be wall mounted or fixed  to a pedestal on desks or bedside table. Battery life for PICOS is 10 years depending on use.

Example of 3 scenes

• Relax
• Cleaning
• Entertaining

Full range of devices

• Picos
• In line switch
• In line dimmer switch
• 16 amp switch
• Ceiling mount PIR
• Wall mount PIR

This particular assisted living installation we have controlled the immersion heater in the event of a boiler breakdown which can be voice activated.

We have also controlled his Velux roof lights so he can open and close them by voice too.

Installation of the switch modules

As this was a full rewire we could choose where we wanted to fit the switch modules. We installed all the modules in an under stairs cupboard on a neat back board we fitted. We did this for future additions, maintenance and testing.

You can fit the switch modules at each light point you want to control for the retro fit solution. The switch modules fit through a spot light cut out. We use 67mm cut outs which it fits through easily.

Bathroom installation

In the bathroom there is a PIR which activates the lights and extractor fan. We have used PIRS as much as we can for this installation so as the gentleman moves through the house on his wheel chair the lights are automatic.

We have shown you an example of controlling the bathroom lights using Alexa and the app.

Wheel chair charging

The customers electric wheel charger units do not have an automatic cut off when they are charged. If they were not manually unplugged in time this could ruin the batteries.

We have used 16 amp switches to solve this problem. He is now able to use his IPAD to charge the wheelchairs and schedule a start charge and stop charge time.

External security lighting

We have installed 7 security lights around the perimeter of the property. These can work automatically on the external PIRS or can be overridden with the smart control.

The system has an astronomical clock built in. This mean it knows when sunset and sunrise is in your location.

This is a valuable tool as normally we would have to use external daylight sensors to keep up with the seasons changing.

The security lights can be scheduled to come on at dusk then turn off at what ever time you would like.

We have also programmed an Alexa voice command “ALEXA ALL FLOODS ON”. This is useful for practical and security reasons.

If you have any questions about your assisted living projects please follow the link to contact us.