The Pros and Cons of Seniors Owning a Doorbell Camera

July 26, 2022

Are you hard of hearing? Do you live alone? Are you living in a new neighborhood? These may be some of the reasons why you may like assistance when the doorbell rings. Aren’t expecting visitors? Doorbell camera to the rescue! Your doorbell rings late at night or early in the morning? Doorbell camera for the win! 

Does My Doorbell Need to Have a Camera?

Doorbells can now do so much more than simply ring. Video intercoms -- camera doorbells -- have been on the market for a number of years. When the doorbell is pressed, a sound and image transmission starts automatically, showing the owner who is at the door of the house or vacation home. 

Simple doorbells, with or without an intercom and electric door opener, are still the most common, and you probably have one. Are you renovating or making adjustments to your home for your old age? They may include big-ticket items, but may also include smaller items. Like a new doorbell with a built-in camera.

Answer Your Door Even When You are Not at Home

Today's smart doorbells are equipped with high-quality cameras and motion sensors, and they have become "mobile." By following you everywhere via the Internet, you will never miss a visitor. If that sounds spooky, think of it as a guardian angel watching over your house.

Some camera doorbell systems store a picture of the visitor so that when you come home you can see who rang the bell in your absence. Others allow you to see and talk with the visitor via an app on your smartphone. Theoretically, at least. People don’t always look obediently into the camera.

If someone rings the doorbell while you are away from home, your doorbell will send a signal to the doorbell app on your smartphone. Just one of the interesting apps you might have on your smartphone. You can answer your doorbell as if you were at home. This is perfect for when you want to tell the parcel carrier where to deposit your package.

“This new generation of home security tools is a huge step forward from the electronic security systems of old, which required professional installation, often-pricey professional monitoring and lengthy service contracts.” (AARP)

Why Should You Get a Doorbell Camera?

We are shopping much more online, and ordering food when we don’t want to cook. This means we are getting more deliveries. More visits to the front door and more often greeting a stranger. We’ve all heard about Porch Pirates, too! Feeling safe is an important part of our happy home. A doorbell camera lets you see and talk with people at the door before you open it.

Which door intercom is the right one in each individual case depends largely on one's own needs. If you want to buy a smart doorbell, you will find a wide range of networked models with cameras and video recording. They are manufactured by Amazon's own Ring brand, Google's Nest, Anker's Eufy, or numerous no-name manufacturers from the Far East. Prices start at just $20.

Pros and Cons of Having a Doorbell Camera

Pros: 

  • They offer peace of mind.
  • Safety in knowing who is at your door.
  • You don’t need to rush to the door.
  • Allows two-way communication.

Cons: 

  • Battery life -- unless your system is connected to your wiring.
  • Installing the unit if it requires wiring – and an internet connection.
  • You may need stronger WiFi.
  • You may not have a Smartphone or other mobile device.

“Consider your living situation. If you live alone, you may need more features to aid you versus someone who has a live-in caregiver or nurse who comes often. Your budget can also factor into the model that’s best for you. There are (door) systems with added security features that don’t require you to break the bank or invest in features you may not use.” (Aging in Place)

Is a Ring Doorbell Good for Seniors?

Remember playing Knicky Knicky Nine Door, or Ding Dong DItch when you were younger? Now you can catch the young scallywags! Being able to talk with and see people at your front door means you don’t have to get up so often or as quickly. Connected to our smartphone or tablet helps, too. We may not hear our doorbell ring, but we will feel the vibration of our smartphone in our lap or see it as it dances across the tabletop.

Peace of mind probably tops the list of reasons for getting a doorbell camera. But which one? 

The Ring system from Amazon is the most popular video doorbell system on the market today. It’s more than just a video doorbell system. It can be programmed to provide alerts when motion is detected around your front door too. The Ring system offers an app for your phone or tablet too, so you can check on activity when you are at the Senior Center or shopping.

If you are considering installing a doorbell camera system, we found six systems rated by Consumer Reports of which the Ring is one. This would be a good place to begin your comparison and discussion with family or a caregiver.

  • Eufy Security Video Doorbell $200
  • Logitech Circle View Doorbell $180-$220
  • Lorex LNWDB1 1080P WiFi Video Doorbell $60-$100
  • Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell $300
  • Ring Video Doorbell 3 $170-$200
  • SimpliSafe Doorbell Pro SS3 $170-$200

Are You Ready for More Peace of Mind?

How will you be taking care of yourself today? We’d love to know. Then go ahead and share this with your friends. Want to read more articles like this? We invite you to subscribe to our newsletter where we send weekly emails with helpful and fun articles

Senior Living FYI

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