Cox, Oasis San Diego host Smart Home tech workshop for seniors

Cox Communications in collaboration with San Diego Oasis, will host Safety Mom Alison Jacobson at a free community event on Monday, May 6, 2019 designed to inspire San Diego’s seniors to adopt smart technology to successfully age in place. It is estimated that 10,000 Americans turn age 65 every day, and by 2030, one out of every five people in the U.S. will be 65 or older. Smart home technology can help active older adults remain independent and connected to family and community. Together, this can combat social isolation that can be detrimental to overall senior health and wellness.

CTA survey reveals higher rate of smart tech adoption by seniors than anticipated

Smart technology involves the interconnection of the Internet into everyday objects to send and receive data. According to a recent survey by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), 64% of seniors (age 65+) surveyed were ready to embrace safety and smart monitoring technology, while 61% would adopt active aging technology in order to live more independently. In addition to seniors, caregivers (age 18-64) were also surveyed. The caregivers were far more worried about accidents: 70% of caregivers were concerned about seniors taking their medication, while over 60% were anxious about accidents like forgetting to turn off the stove.

The CTA survey also reveals that 75% of the senior respondents said they need help adopting new products in their home. That’s why educational events like this one are important to quell fears and empower seniors and their adult children to integrate smart technology into their day to day lives.

“This year’s theme of Older Americans Month is ‘Connect, Create, Contribute,’ and our May 6 event aligns with our mission to keep our members on the cutting edge of continued learning that will positively impact their lives and our community at large,” says Simona Valanciute, executive director, Oasis San Diego. “Smart home technology can help seniors stay connected and combat social isolation, which research shows can contribute to an increased risk of depression and cognitive decline, among other health issues.”

May 6 Oasis Speaker Series event features ‘Safety Mom,’ hosted by Cox

Alison Jacobson, also known as “Safety Mom,” is a national family safety expert. Her mission is to help other families stay happy, safe, and sane. Jacobson is also an active member of the Sandwich Generation, a generation of people responsible for not only bringing up their own children but who are also a primary caregiver for their aging parents or relatives. While her career as a motivational speaker, life transition coach, and entrepreneur takes her around the country, she is the primary caregiver for her son who has severe intellectual disabilities, her husband who was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS), two teen daughters, and her mother who also lives with them. Smart technology access helps her keep a close eye on her home life and enables her family to stay connected and engaged as well.

During her May 6 workshop, Jacobson will share her personal story and provide Smart Home safety tips for older adults to use technology to keep them connected with family, friends, and medical professionals, all while protecting their privacy. Adults who find themselves in a primary caregiving role are also encouraged to attend the workshop to learn best strategies on how technology can give them peace of mind when it comes to their loved ones, whether they live across town or out of the area.

“My mission since becoming the Safety Mom has been to share information and personal experiences with people from all facets of life so they can be inspired to create safer and healthier lives for themselves and their loved ones,” said Jacobson. “Smart home technology has made a difference in my family’s life so I’m excited about educating and inspiring others to embrace technology that can improve their quality of life.”

Knowledge is power: Test drive smart home tech

Before and after the event, attendees will be able to touch, feel, and experience various forms of smart home technology and automation services like voice enabled assistants, home monitoring systems, smart lights, video doorbells, pill dispensers, blood pressure tracking systems, and more during the free informational event. Ambassadors from Cox Communications will be on hand to demonstrate smart home technology devices and to also answer questions. A meet and greet reception with Jacobson will follow the presentation.

“Smart home technology powered by a strong, fast and reliable internet connection helps bring us closer together,” said Sam Attisha, senior vice president and region manager for Cox Communications. “It allows us to stay more connected to those we love, and it helps older active adults age more comfortably in their homes. Cox has been busy investing heavily in our infrastructure to deliver the kind of technology that can be leveraged by people of all ages so they feel empowered, connected, and supported.”

Event Calendar Details
Oasis Speaker Series – May 2019 Older Americans Month
Safety Mom & Smart Home Tech
Hosted by Cox Communications, San Diego Oasis and Safety Mom
Monday, May 6, 2019
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
San Diego Oasis
5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa, CA 91942 [CLASS #604]
The event is free, but registration is strongly recommended as space is limited.
To register for the event, call 619-881-6262 or visit sandiegooasis.org.

About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, we proudly serve six million homes and businesses across 18 states. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that makes each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.

About San Diego Oasis
San Diego Oasis is an award-winning nonprofit organization serving people 50 and over by offering over 2,400 lifelong learning and healthy living classes and volunteer community service opportunities annually. Classes include topics in finance, arts and crafts, technology, languages, history and humanities, science, health and wellness, exercise and dance and personal development. Volunteer opportunities include administrative and events as well as an Intergenerational Literacy Tutoring Program pairing older adults with at risk, low-income elementary school students to improve reading skills and self-esteem. Committed to helping older adult address the challenges of isolation and sedentary behaviors for almost 35 years, Oasis is headquartered in La Mesa at Grossmont Center Mall with a second office in Escondido and 47 partner locations. Learn more at sandiegooasis.org.