Arc Human Services and SimplyHome Launch First-of-Its-Kind Smart Living Demo Home
Arc Human Services and SimplyHome have opened the doors to a first-of-its-kind Smart Living Demo Home in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. This innovative space showcases how assistive technology provides greater independence for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), mental health challenges, and autism.
What Is The Smart Living Demo Home?
The Smart Living Demo Home is a home filled with technology that’s built to be experienced. Designed as an open house, the Smart Living Demo Home invites individuals, families, caregivers, and providers to walk through and try out the assistive technology before deciding what’s right for their own home.
Every room is thoughtfully equipped with smart tools that support daily routines and open new doors to independence. People who experience barriers to independence, whether due to IDD, autism, or mental health, deserve the opportunity to make their own choices, build routines, and live with dignity. This Demo Home shows what’s possible.
What Types of Assistive Technology Are in the Home?
Each room in the Demo Home highlights real-life scenarios where assistive technology supports greater independence:
Smart lighting pathways guide someone safely from the bedroom to the bathroom at night by turning on lights as soon as their feet hit the floor. In one setup, the hallway lights illuminate as someone moves, preventing falls and removing the need to fumble for a switch in the dark.
Sensors that learn routines track movement patterns and recognize typical daily activities. If someone usually gets out of bed around 8 a.m. and heads to the kitchen, the system quietly logs that. If there’s no movement by 9 a.m., it can send a non-intrusive alert to a caregiver, allowing them to check in without constant supervision.
Medication reminders help individuals stay on track with their prescriptions, reminding them via a verbal cue or text message to take their medication.
Step-by-step audible cooking instructions guide someone through tasks like making eggs or heating up a meal. In the kitchen, the system can announce each instruction, helping individuals cook safely at their own pace.
Panic buttons are placed in areas like the bedroom, bathroom, or entryway, giving individuals immediate access to help if they feel unsafe or experience an emergency. A single press connects them with their support network.
Each person-centered solution can be customized to specific abilities, routines, and safety needs, offering the right amount of support for each individual.
Want to learn more about how assistive technology can empower your loved one?
About SimplyHome
SimplyHome designs and installs innovative and affordable technology solutions that transform care for individuals with disabilities, dementia, chronic conditions, or age-related mobility issues. Founded in 2004, SimplyHome connects individuals all over the country with tailored systems that empower them to lead self-determined lifestyles while addressing the concerns of caregivers. By collaborating with service providers, managed care organizations, and families, SimplyHome promotes independence and enhances the quality of life for those they serve.