11 Products That Make Life Easier at Home for Seniors
1. Pill Organizers
- Weekly pill organizers can help seniors safely manage multiple prescriptions and supplements. Some pill organizers come with separate compartments for morning, mid-day, and nighttime to alert them to take the correct medication at the appropriate time.
2. Multipurpose Grip Aids for Small Objects
- Grip aids help seniors hold onto small things such as nail files, makeup brushes, Q-tips, etc. They are available in different shapes to meet different needs, especially for seniors with arthritis or other conditions that cause weakened grips.
3. Dressing Stick
- A dressing stick can serve multiple purposes, from sliding cardigans over shoulders to pulling up or taking off socks. A home care professional can help seniors maintain their independence by showing them how to use this device.
4. Long Handled Grabbers
- Long-handled grabbers — also known as “reachers” — come in different lengths and enable older adults to grasp difficultto-reach items. Seniors simply squeeze a small button in the handle that controls the grasping mechanism at the end.
5. Long-Handled Brushes or Combs
- Long-handled brushes and combs help older adults with limited arm or shoulder mobility to style and brush their hair.
6. Easy Sock/Stocking Slider
- Various assistive devices are available for seniors to eliminate the arduous task of bending down to put on socks or stockings. An in-home personal caregiver or occupational therapist may be able to recommend a specific one that works best with socks, nylons, or compression stockings.
7. Toileting Aid with Tissue Grip
- Specialized aids – including a toilet tissue grip and long handles – help seniors with limited mobility to safely maintain bathroom privacy and independence.
8. Handles and Standing Aids
- Placing handles and standing aids around the home — in the shower, near the toilet, at the bedside, on the stairs, and near a favorite chair — will assist your older loved ones as they go about their daily activities. These devices can improve mobility and reduce fall risk.
9. Long-Handled Sponges
- Long-handled sponges are great for scrubbing the back, toes, and other hard-to-reach areas during showers or baths. Sponges come with features such as shower poufs and bendable or extendable handles.
10. Shoehorn
- A shoehorn with a long handle can help older adults put on shoes without needing to bend over.
11. Button, Hook, and Zipper Pull
- These assistive devices, helpful for seniors with limitations from arthritis, can make buttoning a shirt or zipping up a jacket easier and more comfortable. In-Home Care Can Address Personal Needs While these personal care items are handy and can help seniors preserve their independence, a personal home care provider might be the best choice for your family. A trusted, professional caregiver will give your senior the confidence and encouragement they need — and provide access to a helping hand if requested. Our Visiting Angels’ care coordinators are available to discuss your loved one’s home care needs via a free care consultation.