By Rob Love, President, CEO
This device allows you to select the exact temperature of your shower, and let’s you know when it’s ready for you to step in.
I came to the 2017 International Builders Show (IBS) looking for ideas to enhance what senior living communities can offer prospects in the years to come. But, as I walked through the exhibits, I stopped thinking about “seniors” and became more and more personally engaged with much of what I was seeing. And now I have such a long list of things I want to add to my home that it’s going to take a major renovation to include it all!
The main thing is, I want a smart home.
- I want to know that my garage door is down at night, and to be able to check it from my bedroom without going downstairs.
- I want to be able to see who is at the door, and to talk with them, without having to race to dry off after a shower, pull something on and run downstairs.
- I want the blinds in my living areas to automatically go up when the sun goes up, and automatically come down when it’s dark outside. And I want the shades on the sunny side of the house to lower the sun shade during peak hours, to reduce cooling costs.
- I want my lights to turn on right before I walk in the house, and to be sure they are all off if I’ve left.
- I want my thermostat to automatically turn down either the heat or AC when I’m not there, and to turn it back up right before I get home.
- I want my shower to remember what water temperature I like, and to tell me when it’s ready for me to step in.
- I want music throughout my house, that I can control from anywhere.
- I want my dishwasher to run in the middle of the night, when energy costs are cheapest.
- I want floor pathway lights to guide me into the bathroom in the middle of the night, and for a low level light to automatically come on in the bathroom.
- I want to easily manage all of this from a central control.
- And, when the time comes, I want to easily be able to integrate telehealth devices into the overall system.
And it’s not just technology. I want more!
- I want pull-out drawers instead of all my lower kitchen cabinets.
- I want above-counter cabinets with pull-down shelves, so I don’t have to get on a step stool to reach things.
- I want a spice drawer beside my range.
- I want a wall-mounted oven and microwave, so I’m not either bending too low or reaching too high.
- I want a ceiling mounted shower head, so it feels like I’m showering in a warm rain.
- I want a no-lip shower.
- I want a wider sink in my bathroom, on a higher vanity, so I can shave without either bending in half or splashing water everywhere.
- I want a bidet, with a drying unit. (Seriously. I’m not making this stuff up!)
- I want retractable screens around my patio, so I can leave it open or enclose it with screens at the touch of a button. And I want sliding glass pocket doors that open up the whole house to the patio and outdoors.
So yes, I forgot about seniors, and got carried away thinking only about what I want in my house.
Or did I? I’m nearing 60. What on this list would I not want if I was 70, 80 or even 90? It’s all designed to simplify living and make the home easier to live in. Isn’t that what we all want?
For more information on the future of senior living, please contact Tim Bracken at 410-207-0013 or Rick Hunsicker at 214-906-3801.
To read my initial thoughts and expectations about the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show and International Builders Show, click here.
To read my thoughts on smart home technology seen at the Consumer Electronics Show, click here.
To read my thoughts on wearable technology seen at the Consumer Electronics Show, click here.
To read my final thoughts on the Consumer Electronics Show, click here.
To read my expectations for the 2017 International Builders Show, click here.
To learn what my favorite product at the International Builders Show was, click here.
To learn more about the International Builders Show and how to prepare for next year’s conference, click here.
To read my final overview and thoughts about my time at both the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show and the International Builders Show, click here.
