As I continue to explore the capabilities of smart home technology, I wanted to share a personal experience that highlights how automation can make a real difference in daily life. My grandfather, who is increasingly forgetful, needed a reliable system to remind him to take his medications and keep track of his appointments. After some research and experimentation, I developed a flow that combines several smart devices and apps to provide a seamless solution.
The Setup
The core of the system revolves around scheduling and notifications. I used iCalendar to input all of his appointments and medication times. To deliver the reminders, I integrated Soundboard and Sonos to play pre-recorded audio messages. A FIBARO Button serves as the confirmation button, allowing him to acknowledge that he has completed the task.
Here’s how it works:
- Scheduled Triggers: At the designated time, the system plays a recorded message reminding him to take his medication or attend an appointment.
- Confirmation: After hearing the message, he presses the FIBARO button. This action triggers a confirmation routine, which logs the time and status.
- Follow-Up: If he doesn’t press the button within 2 minutes, the system repeats the message. After four attempts without confirmation, the system sends an alert to my phone and my siblings’ phones.
The Technology Stack
- Agenda Management: iCalendar for scheduling appointments and medication reminders.
- Audio Notifications: Soundboard and Sonos for playing custom audio messages.
- User Interaction: FIBARO Button for confirmation.
- Alert System: WhatsApp for sending alerts to family members.
Challenges and Solutions
One of the initial challenges was ensuring seamless communication between different devices and apps. I had to tweak the settings in the Alexa Skills Kit and webCoRE to ensure that the routines triggered correctly. Additionally, setting up the virtual switch in the SmartThings IDE was crucial for Alexa to recognize the button presses.
The Outcome
This system has been a lifesaver for my grandfather and our family. It provides peace of mind knowing that he is receiving timely reminders without feeling overly monitored. The integration of multiple devices and apps has created a robust solution that adapts to his needs.
If anyone has suggestions for improving this setup or alternative methods for achieving similar results, I’d love to hear them! Let’s continue to explore how smart home technology can enhance quality of life for everyone.