Tools for Independence and Safety at Home
Lack of social connections in senior years causes emotional and mental strain.
Aging brings physical and mental changes, making it harder to carry out daily responsibilities. Fortunately, technology has introduced tools to help older adults carry on with their activities without assistance and risks of injuries.
Here are different categories of tools that help seniors maintain independence and safety at home.
Mobility aid tools
As people age, their muscles lose strength, and joints become inflexible. These bodily changes, coupled with chronic diseases such as arthritis, can cause loss of balance and stability. As a result, activities like walking become a daunting task, and the risks of falls and other movement-related accidents also increase.
Mobility assistive tools support seniors by helping them to walk or stand without the fear of falling. Examples include crutches, canes, ramps, stair lifts, wheelchairs, walkers, and mobility scooters.
Communication aid tools
Lack of social connections in senior years causes emotional and mental strain. Yet, age-related hearing and visual impairment can act as a communication barrier. The effect of this is social isolation, eventually leading to stress and depression.
Communication aid tools, including speech amplifiers and hearing aids, help elderly adults communicate effectively. Seniors with speech disorders can use specialized communication tools such as speech-generating devices and communication boards.
Older adults with poor vision can use glasses and magnifiers. These visual tools help seniors to watch TV, read, and see their surroundings as they walk and do other activities.
Memory and cognitive aid tools
Memory loss is a natural aging process. It presents itself among seniors through mild forgetfulness and slow processing speed. When these signs are intense, it might be a sign of the onset of dementia.
Fortunately, memory and cognitive aid devices can help older adults manage their daily activities without losing track. These devices include digital reminders, calendars, task lists, and clocks.
Games such as crosswords, puzzles, chess, scrabble, and Stratego can help maintain cognitive functions. Writing and reading can also be helpful, but they require assistive tools such as bookholders, automatic page-turners, and visual aids.
Daily living aid tools
Routine activities such as cooking, bathing, and eating may take longer to complete as a person ages. Sometimes, it might be possible to complete these tasks with support from family members or caregivers.
When it gets to this point, elderly adults can benefit from the assistance of daily living tools.
Some of them include:
Dressing aids such as dressing sticks, button hooks, long-handled shoe horns, leg straps, and sock aids
Toileting tools like grab bars, raised toilet seats, and leg straps (to help the lift legs)
Bathroom tools, including handheld showers, shower chairs, grab bars, bath mats, and bathboards
Eating tools such as a plate guard, scoop dish, mobile arms support, and long straw
Wearable devices
Wearable devices monitor the safety of seniors. They comprise devices such as:
Smartwatches: They monitor the condition of vital organs such as the heart.
GPS trackers: These are useful for seniors with dementia. They help caregivers monitor the whereabouts of elderly adults.
Fall detectors: They give a signal when an older person falls.
Remain safe and independent in old age
Assistive tools come in different forms and shapes to improve the livelihood of seniors. When experiencing difficulties in daily living, seniors or their caregivers should consult a professional to discuss the best independence tools.
Home and Healthy LLC is a licensed, fully insured home improvement contractor offering personalized solutions for New Jersey seniors and their families. Call today at (609) 916-8312.
