What do older adults really think about smart home tech?
Smart home technology might be everywhere these days, but how much of it is actually making its way into the homes of older adults?
Not the ones in research presentations or marketing personas, but real people in their seventies and eighties. The ones who read the FT on their iPad, still have a soft spot for Radio 4, and quietly run half their households through WhatsApp. Are they keen to automate their heating and lighting? Would they trust a voice assistant to lock the front door or draw the curtains? And what would it take for them to feel genuinely comfortable living with that level of tech?
These are the questions we set out to explore. And the answers surprised even us.
The myth of the technophobic pensioner
There’s a persistent narrative that older adults are either baffled or intimidated by new technology. While it’s easy to picture a weary shrug at the mention of a QR code, the reality is far more nuanced.
Two recent studies conducted with affluent Londoners aged 70+, all of whom would consider a move within zones 1–6 and had household assets exceeding £2 million, paint a different picture. This is a group quietly integrating smart tech into their lives, and actively open to more. 89% use smartphones. Nearly all access the internet daily. Three quarters stream audio content and two-thirds stream video. And around a third already use a voice-activated virtual assistant, most commonly Alexa.
In short: they’re not just coping with tech, they’re curating it.
So why aren’t they doing more with it?
While interest is high, confidence doesn’t always keep pace - particularly when systems feel fragile, support is lacking or the benefits aren’t made crystal clear.
When participants from these same studies were shown smart home tech in action, within a real, fully equipped apartment, their reactions shifted. Curtain control became a minor revelation. Smart heating, lighting and sound systems were all described as intuitive and useful. Even participants who were hesitant on arrival left genuinely enthusiastic about the potential. Many said they’d be willing to pay more for a home that offered these features.
The lesson here is clear: context matters. Seeing technology embedded in a lived-in environment made all the difference. Imagining it from a leaflet didn’t.
What they liked, and what they didn’t
The most popular features were those that offered safety, comfort or clear convenience. Around two-thirds said they’d like smart systems that could detect gas or water leaks. Just over half expressed interest in controlling heating, lighting or security via a voice assistant or control pad. Entertainment features like music, TV and audiobooks were warmly received, especially when integrated into a clean, uncluttered interface.
What stood out was the desire for multiple modes of control. Many participants wanted to mix and match between voice commands, touchscreens, remote controls and mobile apps. 83% said they’d like to use either voice or a control pad in a future home. This isn’t about preferring one mode over another - it’s about retaining agency.
The biggest barrier? Reliability. Two-thirds said it was “very important” to have access to support and troubleshooting - not just online, but by phone or in person. Several described past frustrations with devices that didn’t respond properly, leaving them wary of overly automated systems. Crucially, they also wanted manual overrides for everything, just in case.
Wider trends back this up
External studies reinforce what we heard. A recent AARP report found that nearly 40% of Americans aged 70+ now own a smart home device, with the highest uptake in home security, heating control and lighting. Deloitte’s Digital Consumer Trends research highlighted how older adults are increasingly using tech when it serves a clear, functional purpose - particularly in areas like energy efficiency, safety, and entertainment.
The findings also echo another consistent theme: aesthetics matter. Participants in our studies responded more positively to tech that blended into the home — streamlined control panels, minimalist designs, subtle voice cues. When the interface was overcomplicated or the design looked clinical, interest waned.
Designing for the quietly capable
One of the enduring myths about older adults is that they need technology simplified. What this research suggests is something more subtle: they need it explained, demonstrated, and offered on their terms.
They want systems that add to their lives, not dominate them. Technology that supports without interfering. And features that can be added over time, rather than all at once.
Perhaps most importantly, they want to remain in control, able to choose how they interact, and to change that interaction over time. The appetite is there. The openness is there. But the systems need to meet them halfway.
Where next?
These insights aren’t just useful for developers or later living operators. They’re relevant to anyone designing homes, products or services for people in their seventies and beyond, whether you’re in tech, health, retail or housing.
In our next post, we’ll explore what it takes to design age-inclusive smart home systems that are both elegant and effective. We’ll break down the key success factors and show how even subtle design decisions can dramatically shift adoption and satisfaction.
Because for this generation, smart living isn’t about showing off. It’s about living better, with less friction and more freedom.
source: Boomer + beyond_What's driving wellness_quantitative study