Maybe you’re a senior who’s looking for a little extra peace of mind, so you’ve been considering installing a smart doorbell camera at your front door. You’ve heard about Ring doorbell cameras, but before you get one, you want to know about the features that might make it a good choice for older adults.
If you’re looking for a smart and convenient way to stay safe and connected, the Ring Doorbell is a great option. It comes with easy setup and installation. Ring cameras feature two-way audio, live view, a night vision video camera. and cloud storage of video clips. These features make the Ring devices some of the best doorbells available for those who want added security without the cost of professional monitoring.
If you are considering purchasing a Ring Doorbell for a senior citizen, I recommend that you read through this full review.
I’ll go over the features and benefits that come with this doorbell. I’ll also give you some tips on how to choose the right one for your needs.
Is The Ring Doorbell Good Seniors?
I actually have a Ring Doorbell, and while I am not technically a senior yet, I’m getting pretty close, so I can tell you that it is a great product for seniors.
It is easy to install via either a wired version (requires an existing doorbell) or a wireless one. It gives the owner the ability to see who is at their door without having to get up, which I love.
The camera on the doorbell gives you a clear view of who is there, and the two-way intercom lets you talk to the person at the door.
My home office is right next to the front door, so I use this feature all the time to keep from having to answer the door for deliveries, etc.
If I wanted, I could also use the app on my phone to control the doorbell. I have done this occasionally if I am not near enough to answer the front door.
There are some things to consider before purchasing a Ring Doorbell for a senior citizen, however.
1. It is better if the senior has a smartphone that they can download the app onto (more about whether the Ring doorbell can operate without a smartphone app is coming up in this article shortly).
A smartphone app would allow you to see, hear, and speak to visitors from anywhere.
With the Ring app, you can also see a live view of your camera feed, arm and disarm your system, and even set up custom alerts.
Plus, if you have an Alexa enabled Echo device, you can use voice commands to control your doorbell.
I have used my app to control my smart video doorbell when I’ve been at work and also when I was out of town, visiting family members. So whether I am at home or away, I know that I can always keep an eye on my front door.
2.If you or your elderly parents who might use the Ring have a hearing impairment (like my moderate hearing loss), you might have a tough time communicating via the camera’s live stream.
I sometimes have trouble hearing through it and the person at the door also sometimes can’t hear me.
So, I would recommend that the user can hear well enough to use the two-way intercom.
This way, they will be able to hear the doorbell ring, as well as any conversation that takes place outside their door. They won’t have to rely on someone else to let them know what is going on.
If you’re concerned about hearing the Ring notifications, you can purchase the Ring Chime.
This is a plug in device that communicates with the doorbell to play an alert in whatever room it has been placed in (the Ring Chime Pro is a similar device, but includes a night light – handy if you get up in the middle of the night).
You may need a few of these spread out in various rooms of the home to get full alert notification coverage if your hearing isn’t so great (like mine).
3.Along the same lines, you need to be able to see the camera clearly – for several reasons.
Primarily, it allows you to know who is at the door without you having to physically open it. This is great for safety, as you know that you’ll only open the door for people whom you know and trust.
Additionally, it gives you the ability to communicate with the person at the door without having to shout or come close to the door, which can be difficult for seniors with mobility issues.
It also provides peace of mind by allowing you to see that your home is secure.
Plus, having a doorbell that you can talk through (via the phone app) can make it seem like someone is home even when they are not there (you can see and talk to whoever is at your door from anywhere in the world).
4.Seniors need to have a power source and a strong WiFi connection in order to use this doorbell system (more about this in another section).
This is necessary because the doorbell has to be able to connect to your internet/Wifi in order to get the most from the system.
A weak or unstable connection can result in missed alerts, notifications, and even video footage.
What Are The Benefits Of The Ring Doorbell For Seniors?
The Ring Doorbell is a great addition to any home, but it can be especially beneficial for seniors.
Here are just a few of the benefits that the Ring Doorbell can offer seniors:
- As we just mentioned, having a Ring doorbell allows you to answer the door while sitting comfortably on your couch. It comes with a two-way audio system, so when the doorbell rings at our house, I can see who’s there without stopping what I am doing, which is nice. Plus I can speak with them without ever opening the door. I can do this even when I am not home, by using the app on my smartphone. This gives an extra level of protection because it gives the visitor the impression that the home is occupied, even when it may not be. Plus, it’s great for those with limited mobility who find it hard to get to the door in the first place.
- Deters burglars, porch pirates, and other threats. The doorbell comes with a built-in security camera that gets triggered by motion detectors. This sends you a smartphone notification to make you aware that someone is within range of the camera. This way, I can see who is at the door before I answer it. I can also activate my phone app regardless of an alert, so I can look outside any time I want to, for example, if I am expecting a delivery.
- Get peace of mind: if the senior signs up for the Ring Protect Pro Plan, they will get 24/7 professional monitoring and emergency dispatch services.
- Save money on home insurance: The Ring Doorbell could help seniors save money on their home insurance premiums because of the professional monitoring of the security camera and the recording of live video, which may lead to a discount.
- Get help in an emergency: The Ring Doorbell can also be a valuable tool in an emergency (NOTE: a Ring Protect Plan and professional monitoring are required for a request for emergency help). If a senior is unable to get to the door, they can use the doorbell to call for help if they are signed up under the Ring Protect Plan. The doorbell will automatically call a pre-selected phone number, so seniors can get the help they need quickly and easily.
- Since the camera records footage of visitors, seniors (or law enforcement) can review it later if needed.
- Alexa-enabled models can be connected to other smart products in the home (ie: smart tvs or a smart home security system) so you can control all of these devices from one central dashboard.
- Finally, if you move or ever need to take your Ring doorbell with you, it’s easy to do so. Just unscrew the mounting plate from the wall and then snap the doorbell off of it. Once you’re ready to put it back in place, just screw the mounting plate back on and snap the doorbell into place.
Can You Use A Ring Doorbell Without A Smartphone?
Yes, you can use a Ring doorbell without a smartphone, however, you DO NEED access to the Ring app on a smartphone or tablet in order to set the device up for the first time.
After that, you can get around needing to use your Ring doorbell with a smartphone by downloading the Ring app onto another device, such as a tablet or a laptop.
This will allow you to still receive notifications and answer calls from your Ring doorbell.
Do Ring Cameras Record All The Time?
Yes, the Ring cameras do record all the time. However, you’ll only see the live view.
You can’t record footage unless you have a subscription to at least their Ring Protect Basic cloud service (no contract required for any of the Ring plans).
They do offer a free trial of their cloud service, which gives you 14 days of recording. After that, you’ll need to pay for a subscription.
Cloud storage is important for seniors who may not have a smartphone or tablet.
The footage can be accessed from any internet-connected device, making it easy for them to check on their home even when they’re away.
Plus, with cloud storage, there’s no need to worry about losing footage if something happens to their device.
Ring also offers a few other features that can be helpful for seniors. For example, the Ring app can send alerts to your caregiver or loved one when someone approaches your door.
This can give them peace of mind knowing that someone is checking on you even when they can’t be there in person.
Where Should You Place Your Ring Doorbell?
When it comes to choosing the best location for your Ring doorbell, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, you’ll want to make sure that the doorbell is placed at a height that’s comfortable for you to reach.
If you’re installing the doorbell yourself, you’ll also want to make sure that it’s securely mounted in an area that gets plenty of light.
As far as where to place the actual doorbell button, you’ll want to choose a spot that’s within easy reach of your front door.
It’s also important to make sure that the button is placed high enough so that it can’t be easily reached by small children or pets.
In general, the best location for a Ring doorbell is somewhere near the front door, at a height that’s comfortable for you to reach.
If you are unsure about the installation process, you can always schedule a professional installation.
How Far Can A Ring Doorbell See?
If you’re wondering how far the Ring Doorbell’s camera can see, it really depends on the model.
For most models, the viewing distance is anywhere from 20 to 30 feet.
All models come with night vision capabilities, so they can still see visitors even in low-light conditions.
Does Ring Work If The Internet Is Down?
If your home internet connection goes down, your Ring Doorbell will still work. This is because the device uses your home’s Wi-Fi connection to connect to the internet.
However, you will not be able to receive notifications or view live footage from your doorbell if the internet is down.
You will still be able to view recorded footage from your doorbell’s internal storage, though.
To do this, simply open the Ring app and navigate to the “History” tab. From here, you can view all of the footage that has been recorded by your doorbell’s camera.
If you are experiencing frequent internet outages, I recommend investing in a Ring Chime Pro, which is basically a WiFi extender.
We talked about this product in an earlier section because you can plug it in a regular outlet in rooms where you have a hard time hearing the chime.
A Wi-Fi extender can help to improve the strength and reach of your home’s Wi-Fi signal, which can help to reduce the number of times your internet connection goes down.
I also recommend having a backup power source for your Ring Doorbell. This can be in the form of a backup battery or a solar panel.
Having a backup power source will ensure that your doorbell continues to work even if your home’s power goes out.
Does Ring Work If the WiFi Goes Out?
If you have a wireless Ring Doorbell that is connected to your home’s Wi-Fi network, it will not work if the Wi-Fi goes out.
However, if you have a Ring Doorbell that is hardwired to your home’s power supply, it will continue to work even if the power goes out.
As I said in the prior section, I do recommend that you get a backup power source for your Ring Doorbell so that the doorbell will keep working regardless of whether your home’s power goes out.
How Much Does It Cost For Ring Doorbell Monthly?
The cost of Ring Doorbell will vary depending on the subscription plan that you choose. None of their plans require a contract.
Here is a little info on each of the plans.
The monthly subscription plans start at $3.99 per month for the Basic Plan. This basic option only includes video recording of your doorbell activity (ONE doorbell) per month.
The Plus Plan, which costs $10 per month, gives you video recording on ALL of your devices, plus an extended warranty for all your devices.
The Pro Plan is $20/month and include the above things, plus additional features, such as 24/7 professional monitoring,
There is a discount on all of the plans if you pay for a full year up front.
If you choose to purchase a Ring Video Doorbell without a subscription plan, you’ll still be able to view live footage of your doorbell activity, get instant alerts, and two-way audio, you just won’t have access to any of the cloud-based features or recordings.
So, what does that mean for seniors? Well, it really depends on their needs and budget.
The Basic Plan may be a good option for seniors who want to keep an eye on things around their home, but don’t need the extra features that come with the Protect Plus Plan.
On the other hand, seniors who are looking for a more comprehensive security solution may find the Pro Plan to be the best option.
It offers professional monitoring and cellular backup in case of an emergency (this is the plan I have because my husband and I like the added peace of mind that this protection gives us).
Ultimately, it’s up to each individual senior to decide which Ring Doorbell subscription plan is right for them.
Conclusion
If you’re a senior and looking for a home security solution, a Ring doorbell is definitely worth considering. With its easy-to-use app, cloud storage, and extra features like alerts, it’s a great option for keeping your home safe and secure.
