Devices that help older adults live safely at home
Plain-English guides to calendars, video calling, medication reminders, smart speakers and other tech for older adults. We compare prices, subscriptions and how easy each one is to use.
All guides in this section
Skylight Calendar Alternatives With No Subscription (and What Skylight Does Without Plus)
Skylight's paid plan is optional. Here is what you get for free, what Plus adds, and which alternatives really cost less.
Medication Reminders for Seniors: From Pill Boxes to Locked Dispensers, and What the Pharmacy Does for Free
The right tool depends on the problem: forgetting, confusion or double doses. Here is what each option costs and what to check in the contract.
Fall Detection for Seniors: How It Works, How Well, and What It Costs
What the sensors do, what the companies admit about missed falls, and how pendants, smartwatches and room sensors compare on price.
The Easiest Video Calling Devices for Seniors, Compared
Which devices connect calls on their own, which work without Wi-Fi, and what each one really costs per month.
The Best Tablets for Seniors, Compared: Easiest to Use, Easiest to Help With
Which tablets have a truly simple mode, which work without Wi-Fi, and which ones family can manage from far away.
The Best Phones for Seniors: Big Buttons, Hearing Help and Dementia-Friendly Options
Which phone fits which problem, what the monthly plans really cost, and the free options most families miss.
The Best Digital Photo Frames for Grandparents, Compared
Which frames family can fill from their phones, which charge a yearly fee, and which keep working without Wi-Fi.
The Best Digital Calendar for Elderly Parents: Smart Screens vs. Simple Day Clocks
What each option costs, which ones need a subscription, and what you can change from your own phone when you live far away.
Dementia Clocks: What They Are, Who They Help, and the Best Day Clocks to Buy
A plain guide to day clocks for a parent who loses track of time, from $49 basics to clocks you can control from your phone.
Alexa for Elderly Parents: What It Can Do, How to Set It Up, and Where It Falls Short
An Echo Show can remind, connect and reassure a parent who lives alone. It is not a medical alert system. Here is how to set it up well.
AI Companions for Seniors: What They Do, What They Cost, and What the Research Really Shows
Talking robots, AI phone calls and robotic pets promise to ease loneliness. Here is what each one offers, what it costs, and where the evidence is thin.