(BPT) - Technological advancements are helping aging adults stay safe, comfortable and connected as they age in place. And, families can feel more confident about mom, dad and the grands living independently, especially around the holidays.

“The year 2020 brings new innovative technologies to enable us to address the unique challenges we face as we age,” says Lisa Cini, president/CEO, Mosaic Design Studio and BestLivingTech.com. “Even the simplest tasks, like going to the bathroom, turning on the faucet, or cleaning up afterward can be difficult or dangerous for aging adults, but by integrating the latest gadgets into our home designs, seniors can remain safe, connected and independent.”

Lisa’s 2020 tech trends include:

• Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa can be used for a multitude of activities like listening to music and audio books, appointment and medication reminders, and hearing the weather. These gadgets can even make calls and respond to a simple “OK Google” or “Hey Alexa,” which can be useful after a slip or a fall (if within hearing range).
• A bidet eliminates the need for assistance in the bathroom by allowing users to clean up after themselves, providing independence and removing the embarrassment of asking for help.
• Hestan Cue Chef’s Pot measures the surface temperature of the pan via Bluetooth and is great for braising, poaching and perfecting dishes.
• Roomba the robot can vacuum multiple rooms daily and is compatible with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home. It travels back to its charging dock and can be customized to clean when you want it to.
• Moley Robotic Kitchen is a fully automated kitchen that acts as a MasterChef to cook thousands of meals. This smart robot takes away the hassle of cooking and cleaning and does everything at the touch of a button.
• Nest Smart Thermostat makes homes energy efficient, with a display that can be read from across the room or remotely by cell phone and works with Amazon’s Alexa for voice control.
• Loop keeps you connected to friends and family through a loop of photos, video and video chat.
• The Human Charger light therapy device enhances energy levels and helps you get restful, sustained sleep.
• The Dementia Day Cycle Clock displays the day of the week and morning, afternoon, evening or night, to help you distinguish between days of the week and cycles of the day.
• Med-Q Automatic Pill Dispenser will flash the corresponding day slot with a bright red light and blast an alarm that increases in volume until you take your pills at the scheduled time.
• A One Button Dementia Radio allows you to turn the radio on and off without confusing buttons and dials.
• The Wander Alarm Security Alert chimes or vibrates to let you know that the door or window has been opened.
• iGuardStove and FireAvert prevent burnt pans or fires by automatically shutting off power to the stove when the smoke alarm goes off.
• Joy for All Companion Pets provides joy without the headache as it responds to hugging, petting and motion like any typical cat or dog, mimicking the movement and purring sound of a cat to bring comfort and companionship. No need to clean the kitty litter or walk the dog in the snow with this companion pet.

BestLivingTech.com offers many of the available products above to help seniors embrace aging and independent living. As a boomer living designer, Lisa searches the world for the best technology to help people age in place and brings them all together in one online store — think Sharper Image meets AARP.

By keeping the home retrofitted with the latest technology, we can help our parents and grandparents stay safe and comfortable at home and eliminate some of the worry when we’re not around.

Lisa Cini, ASID, IIDA, is an award-winning, internationally recognized designer with decades of experience developing interiors that improve quality of life for seniors. She is the author of The Future is Here: Senior Living Reimagined, Hive: The Simple Guide to Multigenerational Living, and BOOM: The Baby Boomers Guide to Leveraging Technology, so that you can Preserve Your Independent Lifestyle & Thrive.

(BPT) - Resourceful thieves and cybercriminals continue to find new ways to hack U.S. consumers’ sensitive personal information. Dumpster diving, stolen or lost wallets and mail fraud should still be concerns, but the digital age of tablets, smartphones, PCs and Wi-Fi networks leaves people more vulnerable than ever.

Have you ever stored credit card information on your phone for added convenience to make payments in a checkout lane? Do you ever store passwords in apps to transfer funds between accounts? And what’s to keep hackers from accessing a wireless network you check your email on while you’re grabbing a quick cup of coffee?

”More than 15.4 million people a year will experience identity theft, with an average loss of more than $1,000,” said Jane Li, Mercury Insurance’s director of product management. “When one access point closes due to added levels of security, cyberattackers find another. Insurance companies like Mercury provide services that allow homeowners and renters to enjoy the convenience of accessing their connected devices at home and on the go, while also helping to protect customers from the potentially devastating effects of criminal infiltration, cyberextortion and identity theft.”

The following five do’s and don’ts can help stop criminals in their tracks and protect your connected devices, as well as your electronic identity.

1. Do power down your devices. This disables the internet connection, cutting off access to any personal information stored on your computer, tablet or phone. Unattended machines, especially if you are asleep or leave them at home while on vacation, are easy targets for hackers.
2. Don’t connect to unsecured wireless networks. Information accessed on an open network, including email passwords and sensitive bank information, is fair game for hackers. Don’t make their jobs easier. Turn off Wi-Fi access on your devices unless it’s a password-protected network you trust.
3. Do monitor your children’s device usage. It’s a good idea to limit use of computers, tablets and phones to public areas within the home like the living room or kitchen. This makes it easier for parents to keep an eye on who their kids are communicating with, especially on social media or gaming sites, to help prevent the sharing of sensitive information like full names, addresses or other things that can be used for identity theft or other potentially dangerous activities.
4. Don’t discard important paperwork without shredding it. If it has your name and address, thieves can take advantage and open an account using your information. Remember to shred expired insurance documents, vehicle registrations, bills, loan pre-qualifications and other paperwork that would allow someone to call in pretending to be you. Check your credit reports at least twice a year to ensure all accounts opened in your name are valid.
5. Do install recommended updates. Smartphone, computer, tablet and smart TV manufacturers, among other providers of connected devices, offer periodic software updates to protect against potential security breaches. Chances are, if an update is recommended, hackers have already discovered a way to access your personal property and information, so keep your software up to date.

Li recommends homeowners and renters speak with their local insurance agent to learn more about the endorsements they may be able to add to existing policies to help safeguard their finances if their identities are compromised or connected devices are attacked.

“It can be daunting to try to regain your financial footing if a criminal takes advantage of you,” said Li. “Insurance exists to help protect consumers from unexpected events and, in this case, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

How Streaming Can Make Watching Favorite Shows Easier

(Family Features) At home, you have ultimate control over your entertainment environment. Now, with today’s technology, you can create the same viewing experience wherever you are, even if that means you are miles away from your favorite spot on the couch.

With a video on-demand service like Tubi, which offers access to more than 15,000 movies and TV shows – more than double the content library of other popular streaming providers – you can watch your favorite shows both new and old on more than 25 different streaming devices, including Android and iOS mobile devices, video game consoles and more.

Consider these ways streaming services make it easier to stay up to date on the latest in entertainment:

On-Demand
One of the biggest benefits of streaming media is the ability to watch shows and movies on your schedule. There’s no need to program your DVR to record your favorite show, and most services make the whole season available all at once so you can binge watch to your heart’s desire.

Content
One of the latest examples to make its way to Tubi is season 13 of “The Bachelorette” featuring Rachel Lindsay. After missing out of the final rose during season 21 of “The Bachelor,” Lindsay, the first African-American Bachelorette, got her redemption by awarding her own final rose to Brian Abasolo. Viewers can see how their love story developed, culminating in marriage, in October as the latest season will be offered alongside several past seasons of “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” on the platform.

“Now that our season of ‘The Bachelorette’ is available on Tubi, we’re excited watch it again from the beginning,” Lindsay said. “It’s nice that fans of the franchise have the opportunity to relive some of our happiest memories as well as those of other couples that have found love on the shows.”

Storage
Because media is available on-demand – provided you are connected to the internet – there’s no need for an extra storage device or an attachment to plug in to view your favorite movies or television shows.

Price
The cost of streaming services typically pales in comparison to the monthly price of cable or satellite television. A service like Tubi, for example, is advertising-supported, meaning the 20 million people who use it each month can access their favorite shows and movies for free without the hassle of credit cards and subscription fees.

Device Flexibility
Your device needs can vary depending on what type of entertainment attracts you. For example, streaming video requires more sophisticated features than basic games or downloaded music. However, many devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and game consoles, can provide the display capabilities to deliver the experience you desire.

To learn more and start streaming for free, visit Tubi.TV.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (women watching TV)

Your Broadcast TV Channels May Change Frequencies

(Family Features) If you rely on an antenna for your TV viewing, changes between now and July 2020 may affect reception of some of your channels.

As part of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) work to make more airwaves available for high-speed mobile broadband services, some TV stations in cities across the United States are changing their over-the-air broadcast frequencies.

While the channel numbers you see on the TV are not changing, viewers will need to rescan their televisions to update to the new frequencies so they can continue receiving those channels. Viewers will not need to buy a new TV or purchase a converter box. Only those who use an antenna to watch local channels need to rescan their TVs; cable and satellite subscribers are not affected by these changes.

Not all channels are changing and the changes are happening on a rolling basis, so not all channels will change at the same time. Some viewers may need to rescan their televisions and converter boxes multiple times over the transition period. Viewers should look for additional announcements on local channels and rescan when those changes take place.

Consider these common transition questions to ensure you’re prepared:

How will I know it’s time to scan?
Some local TV channels will change frequencies at various times through mid-2020. Viewers should be on the lookout for public service announcements, “crawls” running across the bottom of TV screens and other notifications from local stations announcing “rescan days” on which viewers will need to rescan. Broadcasters will give viewers at least 30 days of notice that their frequency change is approaching.

A good rule of thumb is to rescan your TV anytime you notice a channel missing. If you haven’t rescanned in a while, you may be surprised by how many channels are now available.

How many people will be affected by the transition?
Millions of Americans nationwide who watch television for free with an antenna will be affected.

What is the advantage of making the frequency changes?
The benefit is that more airwaves will be available to meet consumer demand for increased mobile broadband capacity, the new 5G and other advanced high-speed mobile broadband services being developed.

How can I find out which channels are changing?
The FCC website has an interactive map that allows viewers to insert their address to see which local channels are making a transition in their market. To access the map, visit fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps.

Once you enter your location information, such as city and state or zip code, you will be able to view a list of stations in your area. Stations that are changing frequencies will have an “R” in the last column marked “IA.” Click on the station to seethe time period during which each affected station will make the change. To find the specific “rescan day” for a particular station, watch for its on-air announcements and notices or check its website for information.

For more information and tips on how to rescan, visit fcc.gov/TVrescan or call 1-888-CALLFCC (1-888-225-5322).

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Smart Value

Tech upgrades to improve home function

(Family Features) When smart home technologies first emerged, their purpose was largely for convenience and operating the devices was often clunky. Today, smart devices seamlessly integrate into connected home systems to make living more efficient, improve home security and even offer advantages for your health.

If you’re considering upgrades to your home, smart technology is a savvy way to add value and function.

Energy Consumption

Smart lighting is among the most prevalent of smart functions on the market, largely because of the multiple benefits it offers. It’s handy to be able to set regular lighting patterns throughout the home so you’re never left in the dark. You can also manage those lights from your smartphone, so forgetting to turn off a light is no longer an issue and you can fool would-be-thieves into thinking the house is inhabited when you’re away.

Fingertip controls offer plenty of advantages, but another consideration is energy management. Dimming features and sensors that turn lights off and on through various detection methods (such as movement or recognizing a connected Bluetooth device) help minimize wasted energy. The lights are typically constructed to use less energy, and most models last substantially longer than their traditional counterparts; some brands claim a lifespan of 20 years or more.

Smart lighting is an easy way to curb energy usage, but another consideration is climate control, which accounts for a big chunk of a typical household’s energy consumption.

The idea of programming your thermostat is nothing new, but smart thermostats take programming to a whole new level. Not only can you schedule temperature changes to coincide with your coming and going (and manage those changes with an app when you’re not even at home), today’s smart thermostats also have sensors that learn your daily habits and can adjust the climate accordingly. Comfort aside, the impact on energy usage is often substantial enough that some electric companies even offer incentives to homeowners who install the devices.

Air Quality
In an average home, the pollutant level is normally low when people first enter the house, or after effective ventilation. However, after an extended period of time, daily activities can raise the level of humidity and carbon dioxide to unhealthy levels that can cause headaches, dizziness and sleepiness, and can contribute to long-term health issues.

“Few are aware of the impact of indoor air on their health and wellbeing, but the air we breathe is just as important as the food we eat or the water we drink,” said Kent Holm, senior vice president of global product management with the Velux Group. “An average adult breathes in around 4,000 gallons of air every day and spends up to 90 percent of their time indoors. A healthy indoor climate goes way beyond simple convenience.”

Opening skylights in conjunction with vertical windows removes polluted air from the home and promotes an overall healthier lifestyle. An option such as Velux Active with Netatmo is the first smart skylight system that connects with Apple HomeKit, allowing homeowners to manage indoor climate control at home or remotely with the touch of a button.

In addition to manual controls, smart sensor technology monitors carbon dioxide, humidity and temperature in the home and data from local weather station forecasts to automatically open the skylights if fresh air is needed. The system can also automate skylight blinds. Learn more at whyskylights.com.

Peace of Mind

Home security takes numerous forms, from detecting threats like fire or water to physical barriers at the home’s entry points. Smart technology is transforming the way homeowners manage their home’s security and giving them added confidence that their families are safe within those walls.

Smart smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors offer enhanced sensory features as compared to traditional models, in addition to sending alerts to your smart devices when you’re away. Water damage is another risk if you’re in an area prone to flooding or if you’re concerned about dampness that could spur mold growth. A smart sensor can alert you of changes in your home’s moisture level due to leaks or humidity so you can take preventive measures before damage becomes severe.

Anyone who’s ever gotten five miles down the road only to question whether the garage door went down or the front door was locked can appreciate the advantages of smart technology. Smart garage door openers and door locks make it easy for you to program access to guests who may not have a key and even gain access to the house when you’ve forgotten your own key. Other smart security devices like doorbell and flood light cameras help you keep tabs on the traffic around your home.