Remote monitoring and Remote Supports are often mentioned in the same breath, but they are not interchangeable. Treating them as if they are the same can lead to confusion, under-support, and missed opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Technology can detect and notify — but it cannot support. And when people rely on remote monitoring alone, they are often left without the real-time human connection that builds confidence, safety, and independence.

Remote monitoring is technology designed to detect events and send alerts. Sensors and devices — like door alarms, motion detectors, cooking sensors, or wearable devices — can identify a change and notify someone that an action may be needed. These tools can be helpful for identifying safety risks or tracking patterns over time. But they stop there.

Remote monitoring:

• Collects data and sends notifications
• Provides visibility into activity or changes in routine
• Helps identify safety events like smoke, exits, or falls
• Can inform planning when used correctly

What remote monitoring cannot do is respond, interpret, or coach. A sensor may detect an exit door opening at midnight, but it cannot understand if someone is stepping outside for fresh air or wandering into danger. It cannot talk someone through anxiety, decision-making, or conflict. It cannot help someone learn skills that reduce crises over time.

Remote Supports is a person-centered service model — not a piece of technology. It includes trained professionals who connect with the person in real time through two-way audio or video to provide support, reassurance, decision-making help, and coaching around daily living skills.

Remote Supports:

• Provides real-time communication with trained staff who know the person
• Supports emotional regulation and anxiety
• Builds skills like problem-solving, routines, self-advocacy, and self-determination
• Responds immediately when something happens — notifying natural supports if needed
• Prioritizes privacy and dignity by stepping in only when needed and stepping back when not

Remote Supports honors the person’s right to independence, choice, and privacy. It reinforces self-determination rather than surveillance and control.

The industry often uses “remote monitoring” as a catch-all term for anything involving technology. That broad label can cause confusion — and ultimately under-support.

When remote monitoring is mistaken for Remote Supports, the consequences can include:

• Individuals receiving less support than they actually need
• Families overwhelmed with alerts they’re expected to manage
• Missed opportunities to build confidence and skills
• Technology being treated as a replacement for human support

Remote monitoring is a tool. Remote Supports is a service.

They are not interchangeable — and technology alone is not support.

People with I/DD deserve more than alerts and alarms. They deserve real connection, real coaching, and real support that honors dignity and independence. Remote monitoring can increase visibility and awareness, but it cannot replace trained professionals, meaningful relationships, or proactive support.

Remote Supports represents the next generation of disability support — one that balances autonomy and safety without sacrificing privacy or choice.

Remote Supports

• Interprets, responds, and supports in real time
• Human-centered connection and coaching
• Proactive — helps prevent issues and build skillss
• Uses trained professionals who understand the person
• Reduces anxiety and increases confidence
• Relationship and independence model
• A service model

Technology can notify. People support.