Tech That Makes Solo Living Safer, Easier, and More Connected
By Ailene Gerhardt, MA, BCPA, CSA®, Founder, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC & Navigating Solo Network
Host, The Navigating Solo™ Podcast
About this resource: Navigating Solo™ provides information to help solo agers make informed choices. The technologies listed are not endorsements and do not replace professional, medical, or emergency services. Our goal is to increase awareness of available options so individuals can decide what best supports their independence and safety.
Living solo offers independence, autonomy, and flexibility. It also means managing safety, health, and daily life without a built-in backup. For solo agers and others who live alone, technology can play an important supporting role by filling gaps, reducing risk, and offering peace of mind without compromising independence.
Below are practical, increasingly common tools designed specifically for people who live alone. Many are low-cost or free.
Safety & Emergency Preparedness Tools
Many towns and municipalities across the U.S. are now using Smart911 as part of their emergency response infrastructure. Smart911 allows residents to create a free Safety Profile that shares critical information with 9-1-1 dispatchers and first responders when a 9-1-1 call is placed from a registered phone.
For people living alone, Smart911 is especially valuable. In an emergency, there may be no one else present to explain medical needs, communication challenges, or home access details. Smart911 helps ensure responders arrive informed.
Users can include:
Medical conditions, allergies, and medications
Mobility or communication needs
Emergency contacts
Home access information (lockboxes, gate codes, pets in the home)
Vehicle details, if relevant
This information is only visible to dispatchers during an active 9-1-1 call and only in participating communities. Even if your town hasn’t adopted it yet, creating a profile is worthwhile — adoption continues to expand, and your information may be accessible when traveling.
A simple but increasingly popular app, Demumu (sometimes referred to as Are You Dead?) is a welfare check-in tool for people living alone. Users confirm they’re okay by tapping the app every couple of days. If a check-in is missed, designated contacts are notified. Its appeal is straightforward: reassurance without constant monitoring.
Daily Check-In Apps (e.g., Snug)
Apps like Snug offer a similar concept: users check in once per day, and if they don’t, alerts are sent to emergency contacts. These tools are popular among solo agers who want an easy routine that provides accountability without intrusion.
Emergency Dispatch Apps
Apps such as Rescu allow users to summon emergency help quickly — sometimes with just one tap — and can share location and medical information even if the person can’t speak. These tools complement Smart911 by offering additional ways to access help outside of traditional phone calls.
Health & Wellness Technology
Wearables & Smartwatches
Devices like Apple Watch and Fitbit can monitor heart rate, activity levels, and detect falls, automatically alerting emergency contacts if needed. For solo agers managing chronic conditions or mobility concerns, wearables add an extra layer of safety.
Telehealth & Remote Monitoring
Telecare technologies — including medication reminders, vital-sign tracking, and virtual appointments — help solo agers manage health proactively and reduce the need for frequent in-person visits.
Cognitive Engagement & Social Connection
Brain & Learning Apps
Apps such as Lumosity and other cognitive training tools support mental stimulation, focus, and memory which is important for healthy aging, particularly for those living alone.
Communication & Video Calling
Platforms like Zoom, FaceTime, and WhatsApp make it easier to maintain social connections. Simplified tablets and devices designed for older adults reduce tech barriers and help keep relationships strong.
Smart Home & Environmental Support
Smart Home Safety Tools
Motion sensors, smart doorbells, lighting automation, and security systems help solo dwellers monitor their environment and feel safer at home, especially at night or during severe weather.
Voice-Activated Assistants
Devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Home allow hands-free control of reminders, lights, calendars, and emergency calls, supporting independence when mobility or dexterity is limited.
AI Assistants & Voice-Activated Safety Tools
Voice-activated AI assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and similar smart devices are increasingly useful for people who live alone. While often marketed for convenience, these tools can play a meaningful role in safety, health management, and daily support, particularly for solo agers.
Alexa Emergency Assistance & Voice-Activated Help
Many Echo devices offer Alexa Emergency Assistance or emergency calling features that allow users to request help using only their voice. In situations where reaching a phone is difficult, such as after a fall, during sudden illness, or when mobility is limited, hands-free access can be critical.
Depending on the device and settings, users may be able to:
Place an emergency call by voice
Share their registered address with responders
Contact designated emergency contacts
Important: Emergency features vary by device and location. It’s essential to confirm settings, register your address, and test voice commands in advance.
Why AI Assistants Matter for Solo Agers
For people living alone, voice-first technology offers:
Hands-free access to help
Medication, appointment, and wellness reminders
Control of lights, locks, and home environment
Easy access to communication, music, news, and learning
AI assistants work best as supportive tools, layered alongside check-in apps, Smart911, wearables, and human connections, not as stand-alone safety solutions.
Free vs. Paid Tech Tools for Solo Agers
Good support does not have to be expensive. Many of the most impactful safety and preparedness tools for people living alone are free or low-cost, making them accessible to solo agers on fixed or limited incomes.
Free Tools
Smart911: Safety Profile shared with 9-1-1 dispatchers
Snug Daily Check-In (free tier): Daily "I'm okay" check-in with alerts
Basic Smartphone Safety Features: Emergency SOS, location sharing, medical ID
Video Calling Platforms: Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp for social connection
Paid or Optional-Cost Tools
Demumu ("Are You Dead?"): Lightweight welfare check-in app
Wearables & Smartwatches: Fall detection and health monitoring
Emergency Dispatch Apps (Rescu): One-tap help with GPS and medical info
Smart Home Devices: Smart doorbells, sensors, voice assistants
Living solo doesn’t mean doing everything alone. The right mix of free and paid tools, including AI assistants, can quietly support safety, connection, and independence, on your terms.
Tools listed are for informational purposes only. Navigating Solo™ does not endorse or have a relationship with any products mentioned.
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