Decades Construction Group is proud to have been a member of the team that delivered this first of its kind - Smart Home in Willingboro, NJ, to the individuals served by Bancroft who will reside here utilizing technology in a first of it’s kind smart home.
This home was a complete interior gut and renovation, including a new Kitchen, Two Bathrooms, interior and exterior doors as well as new finishes throughout. Scope included upgraded fiberglass insulation, partial roof replacement, concrete patios and sidewalks.
New infrastructure included, upgraded electric service, HVAC replacement and expansion, Fire Protection Sprinkler system and Fire Alarm.
This project was also a Smart Home project, a first-of-its-kind program in New Jersey that explores how technology can help enhance safety, increase independence, and improve quality of life for adults with disabilities – and help address longstanding challenges with the direct care workforce. Ten group homes throughout the region have been outfitted with a variety of sensors and devices to create an ecosystem that can be customized to the needs, abilities and goals of the individuals who live there.
On Thursday, Sept 28, 2023 Bancroft hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony, showcasing the technology and bringing together representatives from the State of NJ, families of those supported in the home and constituents from the community.
What’s Inside of A Smart Home?
SimplyHome Technology Solutions provide staff with alerts so they can monitor residents’ activities from a distance and intervene as needed as they learn to complete tasks independently.
Biometric door locks make it easier for staff to enter the home without fumbling for keys when their hands are full, or when their attention is focused on the people they support. They allow residents to enter the house independently, removing barriers for those struggling with dexterity and fine-motor skills.
Sensors for doors, beds, windows and water/cooking safety:
Alert staff to unusual/unexpected movement; allow for less-invasive overnight bedroom checks; and track changes in sleep or other health indicators that may be concerning.
In kitchens and bathrooms, sensors alert staff if water temperatures are too high, stoves are left unattended, sinks overflow and more.
Smart lighting and smart plugs create a more comfortable living environment that can be customized to individual preferences.
Voice assistants like Alexa enable residents to use simple, customizable voice commands for various tasks, fostering self-reliance and self-expression.
Echo Show devices give residents agency over their daily schedules and tasks.
Smart Appliances simplify and reduce reliance on staff support for daily chores. They provide maintenance reminders, removing one more “to-do” from staff members’ lists.
Induction ranges with specialized cookware let individuals learn to cook while reducing burn risks.
Smart scales send weight, BMI and other health indicators directly to staff, minimizing documentation in cases where these are being monitored.
Smart toothbrushes, automatic faucets and digital soap dispensers foster good personal hygiene habits, without the need for direct staff involvement in residents’ most private tasks.
Robot vacuums make it easier for residents to participate in household chores.
Medication Dispensers ensure residents receive medications at the right time, reduce the risk of medication errors, and help those who are learning to self-administer their medicine.
A customized app digitizes and streamlines required documentation – saving time during each shift and keeping the focus on people, rather than paperwork.
Project Details of First Of Its Kind - Smart Home:
New Group Home Conversion / Smart Home Pilot Project
Name of Client:
Bancroft
Location of Work Done:
24 Club Ridge Lane, Willingboro NJ
Items Replaced
- Smart Technology Infrastructure
- Smart Home Devices
- Roofing
- Windows
- Kitchen
- Walk-in showers
- Bathrooms
- Ceramic Tile
- Commercial Grade LVT flooring
- HVAC System
- Electric Service
- Fire Protection / Sprinkler System with Booster Pump
- Emergency Generator
- Fire Alarm System
- Domestic Water Filtration System
- Interior Doors
- Exterior Doors and Sliders
- Millwork & Trim
"This is part of our commitment to leveraging technology to care for those who rely on us. We are eager to continue pioneering down the path of innovation and we are grateful to Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez and Assemblywoman Carol Murphy who were so eager to help support and advance our mission in this way.”
~Toni Pergolin, Bancroft President/CEO
Photos Of First Of Its Kind - Smart Home
