Staying Safe at Home with Gadgets and Tools for Seniors
As we are living longer, healthier lives, seniors are expressing the want to stay in their homes to age in place rather than living in a retirement community or with relatives. At Visiting Angels of San Luis Obispo, we can provide home care for those that need extra help at home. We are available to discuss any care needs your loved one may have at (805) 546-2080. On the home front, there are also many tools and gadgets that aid with everyday tasks and safety to provide peace of mind for families with seniors who live independently.
Medical Alert System
A medical alert system is often the first line of defense for those with elderly loved ones. A wearable device can be helpful when your loved one lives independently or if someone is not always at home. These systems provide fast, reliable access to medical assistance in the event of an emergency. Typically, the service has a monthly cost in addition to on-time equipment or activation fees. Each situation is unique, so it is a good idea to have your specific needs in mind before making the call. These systems can be tied to the home or on-the-go for seniors who are more active outside the home. The National Council on Aging did a recent survey of the available types that you can find at this website: Best Medical Alert Systems for Seniors.
Bidet attachment for toilet
Bidets have been seen as a luxury or a purely European experience, but some research has shown that the use of a bidet can help with overall cleanliness while using the toilet. Often seniors have joint pain, limb mobility issues, or other problems that may keep them from getting completely clean. The bidet sprays water in all the nooks and crannies, getting to the places where fecal matter and other bacteria could cause a problem.
There are several bidet attachments on the market, and a stand-alone bidet is another choice. Prices for just the attachment have come down since the pandemic started and there is a range for all budgets. You can find the website Aging in Place’s recent survey of bidet attachments here: Best Bidets for Seniors
Hand-held shower head
One thing that can make an immediate difference in a senior’s personal care routine is a hand-held shower head. Standing in the shower can be dangerous, and even with a shower chair, and a stationary shower head doesn’t always get to all the places that need to be cleaned. Look for a showerhead that is easy to install and designed to work with plumbing on older and newer homes. Most shower heads can be easily installed, and a do-it-yourself installation will save on the plumbing fees. The best detachable shower head should be very easy to set-up within minutes and require no tools to install. Other things to consider when getting a showerhead for your loved one: Find a showerhead with a long hose to offer ultra-flexibility and plenty of movement. Angle and height will also affect its usability. Some models have adjustable holders for height, while others are fixed to the neck of the plumbing, limiting the angle of the spray. Most seniors prefer a lightweight handheld showerhead. Heavier, bulky, and non-ergonomic units are harder on the hand to manage. Consider a plastic one which is lighter instead of a heavier metal unit. Since most elderly have sensitive and thin skin, extreme water pressure can be excruciating while also cracking the skin. Choose a unit with a variety of spray settings such as mist to massage to high pressure. Many of the popular units have between 4-7 spray settings. Arthritic seniors should consider a model with a large dial handle for easy turning. A handheld shower head with a pause control button provides the ability to halt water flow. The pause button comes in handy for seniors who use shower chairs. It can be challenging to reach the water shut-off valve while seated, and the pause button can potentially lower the utility bill.
GPS SmartSole
One of the most worrying things about having a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease is the idea that they might get out of the home and get lost or hurt. An innovative new product is available to keep loved ones in “sight”, no matter where they are.
The GPS Smart Sole (gpssmartsole.com) is slipped into the shoe of your loved one and is said to be indistinguishable from a regular one despite being thicker. Seniors who have memory loss may forget a lot of things, but their daily routines are often engraved in their minds, things like putting on shoes are unlikely to be forgotten.
You can create geozones, or circular perimeters, and the SmartSole portal sends alerts via email and text. You can customize who receives the alerts and you can pause some geozones while others are active. The insole requires an initial investment for the equipment and activation, and a monthly fee of less than $30 to maintain the monitoring plan.
Electric Jar Openers/Multi-purpose Jar and Can Openers
As the name suggests, manual jar openers must be operated manually to make opening the jar lid easy. Individuals usually must apply much less strength than they would otherwise, though, and the grip is relatively easy to take to – thus, it acts as a machine. However, it does not involve the use of electricity.
Grippers are the most basic manual jar openers. They can be constructed from a variety of materials such as rubber, silicone, etc. Their primary purpose is to make it easy for a user to get a strong grip on the lid so they can unscrew it easily. Thin grippers work best for larger lids. Your senior can also use a gripper to keep the jar from sliding around on the counter. Alternatively, you can use the thin gripper to grab the side of a jar to help your hand hold it.
Electric jar openers involve the use of electricity to make opening products straightforward and accessible. They usually open the jar with the push of a button, making the task extremely simple. They can be battery operated or corded, which means they can be plugged into a conventional electrical socket. Electric jar openers are ideal for seniors who have weak hands or arthritis, especially since these openers can even be used with one hand. These jar openers have two arms, one for holding the jar and the other for opening the lid.
While adding these useful products to senior’s homes, sometimes you just need more than gadgets and tools to keep them safe at home. When you are looking for professional, experienced caregivers, Visiting Angels of San Luis Obispo is here for you! To find out more or set up a free consultation, visit our website or call (805) 546-2080.
