Smart Homes as a Support for Independent Living in People with Functional Dependence

Espinoza-Martínez A.; Yánez-Palacios J.; Ramírez-Ramírez F.; Pozo-Benites K.; Peña-Cáceres O. · CEUR Workshop Proceedings (2026)

Resumen

The smart home is a residential environment equipped with sensors, connected devices, home automation, voice assistants, alert systems and remote monitoring platforms. These technologies make it possible to perceive events in the domestic space, support daily routines and facilitate communication with caregivers or professionals. From this perspective, the smart home can foster independent living for people with functional dependence, understood as the limitation in performing basic and instrumental activities of daily living and the consequent need for human, environmental and technological support. This article presents a narrative literature review on the use of smart home technologies in people with functional dependence, considering mixed profiles associated with advanced age, reduced mobility and physical or cognitive disability. The work was carried out exclusively with Scopus documents, in English, published between 2021-2026. The results show that the most relevant functionalities are concentrated in safety, fall detection, monitoring of activities of daily living, reminders, environmental control and communication with caregivers. Likewise, the literature indicates potential benefits in perceived autonomy, family peace of mind, continuity of care and remaining at home, although barriers related to privacy, usability, cost and validation in real-world settings persist.

Instituciones: Universidad Tecnológica del Perú