Recently, I embarked on a project to create an assistance button for my 91-year-old grandmother, aiming to enhance her safety and comfort in her home. Initially, I considered using a Bluetooth button, but its limited range proved insufficient for her house. This led me to explore the Zigbee mesh network solution, which offered a more reliable and comprehensive coverage.I decided to use the RaspBee II Zigbee adapter on a Raspberry Pi 4, which required some configuration tweaks to optimize performance. The setup involved enabling specific settings in the config.txt file and disabling Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to minimize interference. This setup worked seamlessly with the ZHA (Zigbee Home Automation) integration in Home Assistant.For the network, I opted for IKEA’s Tradfri devices, including three signal repeaters strategically placed around the house and one shortcut button. This configuration ensured excellent coverage, even in the front and rear gardens. The button’s ability to roam across the network and latch onto the nearest repeater was a significant advantage, though it occasionally required a second press for optimal performance.Notifications were managed through Pushover, which allowed me to send alerts to multiple family members. However, the IKEA button’s sensitivity led to some accidental presses, resulting in false alarms. To mitigate this, I adjusted the automation trigger to require a press-and-hold action, reducing unintended activations.Overall, the project has been a success, with my grandmother expressing satisfaction with the setup. It has provided her with a sense of security and peace of mind, knowing that help is just a button press away. This experience underscored the importance of thorough planning and adaptability when integrating technology into elderly care solutions.