Aging in place smart home kit
Updated
Motion night lights, a keypad lock for caregivers, a smart display, activity sensors and connected smoke and CO alarms: a shopping list for staying at home, with realistic prices and placement.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to Amazon on this page are affiliate links: buying through them costs you nothing extra.
Before you buy
Falls are a major concern for older adults at home: the CDC reports more than 43,000 deaths from falls among adults 65 and older in 2024 and about 4.5 million emergency department visits. MedlinePlus recommends removing tripping hazards and adding rails on stairs and in the bathroom, along with regular eye exams and exercise. This kit supports those habits with light and communication; it does not predict or stop falls.
Ask the person first
Aging in place works when the older adult chooses it. Go through the list together, decide what they want in the home and who receives alerts. Skip anything they find intrusive. Choices to discuss: who gets the keypad codes, what happens if an alert fires and who visits.
Where things go
| Item | Where | Why there |
|---|---|---|
| Night lights | Bedroom door, hallway, bathroom entry, top and bottom of stairs | Lights the usual night path |
| Motion sensor | Kitchen and hallway, 6–7 ft up, aimed across the room | Shows daily activity without a camera |
| Contact sensor | Front door and refrigerator | Comings and goings; kitchen use |
| Smart display | Kitchen or living room, plus an optional nightstand speaker | Easy to see and hear; within reach |
| Smoke and CO alarms | Each level and outside sleeping areas; smoke alarms about 10 ft from the stove | Matches USFA and CPSC guidance |
Fire and CO safety is non-negotiable
The USFA recommends smoke alarms inside and outside each sleeping area and on every level, interconnected so they all sound, tested monthly and replaced 10 years after manufacture. The CPSC recommends CO alarms on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas, with battery backup. Hardwired alarms should be installed by a qualified electrician. See smoke and CO smart alarm kit and, for hearing loss, visual and vibrating alert kit.
Locks: stay safe in an emergency
Choose a lock that opens from the inside without a key, so no one is trapped, and give responders a way in: a keypad code stored with a trusted person or a lockbox. If the person has memory changes, talk to their doctor about door safety. For renters, the lease may require landlord approval; see smart locks for renters.
Check in with people, too
Technology does not replace visits and calls. Your local Area Agency on Aging, reachable through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116, can help with home modification and care services.
Core items
Motion-activated night lights × 4
$8–$25Light the path from bed to bathroom and the hall so no one has to find a switch in the dark. Tripping hazards are a common concern for older adults.
What to look for: motion and dusk sensing, warm white light, plug-in or battery, enough brightness to see steps and thresholds
See options on AmazonSmart keypad deadbolt or retrofit lock
$100–$300Lets family, an aide or a neighbor enter with their own code, and removes the need to hide a key. A physical key and keypad give a backup if the battery dies.
What to look for: keypad, scheduled codes, physical key backup, door-position sensor, battery warning, a lock that opens from inside without a key
See options on AmazonSmart display
$60–$250Video calls, reminders and a large clock and date. Family can call without the person touching a phone, with approved-contact settings.
What to look for: 8–10 inch screen, camera shutter, microphone mute, large text, captions, approved-contact calling
See options on AmazonMotion and contact sensors × 4
$10–$40Show the shape of an ordinary day: kitchen, bedroom, front door and refrigerator, without a camera. Alerts go to a family member who calls.
What to look for: battery life of a year or more, the same protocol as your hub (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread or Wi-Fi), tamper alert, an app that supports “no activity by” alerts
See options on AmazonConnected smoke and CO alarms × 3
$30–$130Alert family as well as the person at home, and interconnect so all alarms sound. Place one on every level and outside sleeping areas.
What to look for: UL-listed smoke and CO alarm, wireless interconnection, 10-year sealed battery or hardwired with battery backup, phone notifications, strobe or voice options
See options on AmazonNice to have
Hub or Thread border router
$30–$150Runs sensors and lights locally and keeps routines going if the internet drops. Skip it if your display already acts as a hub for your sensors.
What to look for: support for your sensors’ protocol, local automations, battery backup or UPS
See options on AmazonSmart plugs for lamps × 2
$10–$25Turn a lamp on by voice or on a schedule, so the room is lit when someone gets up.
What to look for: 15 A rating, schedules that work without Wi-Fi, no heating or cooking appliances
See options on AmazonWearable help button with a monitoring service
$50–$200A help button and a service that answers is a different tool from a sensor kit. Ask a doctor or a local Area Agency on Aging about options and fees.
What to look for: waterproof pendant or wristband, two-way voice, clear monthly fee, cancellation terms, battery life
See options on AmazonWater leak sensors × 2
$15–$35Early warning under the kitchen sink and by the water heater, to a family member’s phone.
What to look for: loud siren, battery life of a year or more, same protocol as the hub
See options on AmazonStep by step
- Talk with the person about what they want, who gets alerts and who has door codes.
- Install smoke and CO alarms first. Test them and write the replacement date on each.
- Place night lights along the bed-to-bathroom path and test them in the dark.
- Set up the smart display with approved contacts only, and practice a call together.
- Install the lock if wanted, add codes for each helper and test locking from outside and opening from inside.
- Place sensors, wait two weeks to learn the routine, then create one “no activity by” alert for a family member who will call.
- Write a short card with phone numbers, the wake word and how to cancel an alert.
Cheaper or upgraded versions
Budget version, about $60–$150: four motion night lights, two lamp plugs and a smart speaker for calls and reminders. Add a connected smoke and CO alarm when you can.
Upgrade, $1,500 and up: add a hub, radar presence sensors, a medical alert service, a stove shutoff installed by a pro (automatic stove shutoff devices) and a hardwired alarm system installed by an electrician. For a broader sensor plan, read how to check on an elderly parent living alone.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first thing to buy for aging in place?
Smoke and CO alarms, then night lights along the bed-to-bathroom path. They are inexpensive, need no account and address common home risks.
Do I need Wi-Fi for these devices?
Night lights and local alarms work without it. Sensors, the display and phone alerts need the internet, and a router backup helps if power goes out.
Can this kit detect falls?
No. Motion sensors show activity, not injury. For fall detection and emergency help, see our fall detection guide and ask about a medical alert service.
Do I need my parent’s agreement?
Yes. Discuss what is installed, who gets alerts and who has door codes. Sensors without cameras are easier to accept.