Beyond general security, these devices solve two specific solo-aging problems: screening visitors without physically answering the door, and granting emergency access without a spare key hidden outdoors.
Video doorbells
Let you see and speak to whoever's at the door from anywhere, useful both for safety (screening strangers) and convenience (not rushing to the door).
Smart locks
Allow you to grant temporary or permanent digital access codes to your emergency contact, care team members, or a home health aide, without a physical key that could be lost or copied.
Choose devices with a simple physical backup (a standard key or keypad) in case of Wi-Fi or power failure — full reliance on connectivity is a real risk during outages.