Few connections in life are stronger than a father and his son. Our fathers shape us deeply. They are our protectors, role models, occasional jungle gyms, encouragers, and providers. We look to them for advice and help when things are challenging.
As our fathers get older, the relationship flips. The children become the caregivers. We get a chance to give back to our fathers, thanking them for what they’ve meant to us. Ultimately, we want to make their lives easier. Our dads work hard their whole life to provide for us. The least we can do is to give them something to make their lives easier.
One of the best uses of Staples Connect is to make things easier and more accessible around your dad’s home. Here’s a few ways you can do that.
1. Replace traditional light switches with easy-to-push rocker switches and remotes.
As dad gets older, flipping a light switch gets harder. A rocker switch like the Leviton dimmer requires less force to operate, making it ideal for a dad whose strength isn’t what it used to be. Cooper Aspire and Lutron Caseta dimmers are also great options. Both of them feature easy-push buttons and indicator lights to let you know exactly how bright the light is.
But this isn’t the only thing that’s useful about these switches.
2. Connected light switches and lamp modules turn on lights in hard-to-reach places.
It’s hard to turn on many table lamps. Their knobs or switches are usually in hard-to-reach places at awkward angles. If dad doesn’t have the range of motion he used to, turning these on and off can be hard.
But with Staples Connect, you can solve all this by making these lights turn on automatically when a light switch is pressed. Connect a lamp module like this one by GE Jasco, then create an Activity that turns on the lamp module when the connected dimmer switch is pressed. Your dad will be able to press one button and have all the lights turn on.
This will allow him to save his energy and avoid awkward places, keeping him safer and giving you peace of mind.
3. Turn on the lights automatically when dad enters a room.
Some of our dads aren’t physically able to use a light switch. Staples Connect can help with this too. Place an EcoLink Motion Sensor near a door and create an Activity to turn on the lights in that room whenever the sensor detects motion. This is especially useful in bathrooms or rooms your dad might go into at night or with his hands full.
4. Turn off everything and save energy.
If your dad has trouble remembering to turn off lights and appliances before bed each night, you can solve this with Staples Connect. Create an Activity that turns all the devices in your dad’s house off (well, the ones that should turn off) when it’s time for bed. This will save him time, energy, and money.
5. Simplify controls for hard-to-reach devices.
Table lamps aren’t the only devices with hard-to-adjust controls or in difficult places. Staples Connect can help with those devices too. Just like we automated the lamps, we can automate devices like thermostats and window shades to be easier for dad.
Add a connected thermostat like the Nest Learning Thermostat or a window covering like Lutron’s Serena Shades to your Staples Connect. Then make an Activity that sets those devices to the right level when dad presses a button on his Lutron Pico Remote. Whenever dad wants to put the blinds up, he’ll just press a button on his small remote and watch the shades go up automatically. And when he wants to turn the thermostat up, he can use another button on his Pico for that as well.
These are five ways—five easy ways—that Staples Connect can help you help your dad to maintain his independence and dignity as he ages. It’s a way you can give back to dad and also give yourself some peace of mind, knowing that he won’t have to exert himself more than he should. Staples Connect has a lot of uses, and one of them is to help care for your dad.