Seniors, These Products and Services Could Improve Your Life
Helping Seniors Stay Safe
Older adults, people with disabilities, and folks recovering from injury can all benefit from products to make everyday tasks easier. From bathroom aids and medication management to kitchen gadgets and health care products, there are plenty of independent living aids that can help people go about their daily routines easily and safely. They also make practical gift ideas.
Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
Grabber
$15 from Amazon
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Grabbers (also called reachers) make terrific daily living products for anyone with limited mobility who needs to retrieve items from shelves or pick up belongings from the floor.
Grab Bar
$19 and up from Amazon
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Simple independent living aids like this Moen grab bar are designed to fit any bathroom decor and add a subtle bit of security. Properly installed, it can bear up to 500 pounds and make life easier for folks who need bathing aids to help get in and out of a bathtub. Available in 12- and 42-inch versions.
Built-Up Handles
$19 from Amazon
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Maddak Universal Built-Up Handles attach to utensils, pens, pencils, toothbrushes, and such to make daily living products like these easier to grasp if you have arthritis pain. They come in a pack of four.
Toilet Safety Rails
$30 from Amazon
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Health care products like the Medline Toilet Safety Rails provide an added bit of security in the bathroom for anyone who has difficulty sitting or standing.
Cane Seat
$34 from Amazon
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This Drive Medical folding cane seat provides support and stability while walking and opens into an instant seat for resting almost anywhere. This double-duty cane can hold up to 250 pounds.
Bed Rail
$40 from Medline on Walmart Marketplace
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Getting in and out of bed can be difficult for people with mobility issues. This Medline senior home care product can help with that and also help keep folks from rolling out of bed.
Zipper Pull/Button Hook
$10 from Amazon
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For older adults who need a little help with zippers and buttons, this Vive combination tool can make the daily routine of dressing a little easier.
Sock Aid
$15 from Amazon
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Bending over and putting on a sock may not be a big deal for younger people, but it can be extremely difficult for those with limited mobility. Independent living aids such as the RMS Deluxe Sock Aid help you get dressed without bending over.
Blood Pressure Monitor
$25 from Amazon
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A blood pressure monitor like this Care Touch model makes health monitoring easier for persons with cardiovascular issues or anyone who just wants to keep an eye on their well being. Unlike traditional blood pressure monitors, this one is designed to be worn on the wrist.
Pill Organizer
$8 from Amazon
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Medication management can be tough enough when you're just taking one or two pills. Simple health care products such as this Auvon iMedassist weekly pill organizer have separate compartments for each day of the week. Pricier versions with built-in clocks and alarms are also available.
Medical Organizer
$30 from Amazon
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Keep medical paperwork for senior home care in order with a dedicated organizer like My Health Journal. This three-ring binder comes with dividers for managing everything from business cards and diagnostic reports, plus a resealable pouch for small items and a notepad.
Slip-Resistant Shower Mat
$13 from Amazon
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This SlipX Solutions slip resistant shower mat proves that simple bathing aids are sometimes the best. It's available in white and clear.
Shower Chair
$42 from Amazon
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For those who need a little more stability, health care products including a shower seat are also useful in the bathroom. The Medline shower and bath seat can be adjusted to different heights and hold about 350 pounds. It has non-slip feet and is rust-resistant.
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Raised Toilet Seat
$45 from Amazon
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Another option in the bathroom is the Drive Medical Elevated Raised Toilet Seat. Portable and lockable, with handles for balance and support, it reduces the distance between sitting and standing.
Smartphone for Seniors
$75 from Best Buy
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Many seniors may not be interested in a typical smartphone's over-abundance of tech. Lively's Jitterbug Smart3 was designed with seniors in mind, and its relatively low cost can fit a tight budget. All the phone's features listed on a single screen in large letters. Buyers can also add on exclusive services that include Urgent Response, Lively Link, and Lively Rides (a senior ride service offered in conjunction with Lyft).
Senior-Specific Tablet
$149 from Consumer Cellular
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A senior-specific tablet like the GrandPad can be easier to use than a conventional tablet that's loaded with unnecessary apps, making your online life easier to navigate.
Amplified Phone
$50 from Amazon
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Amplified phones are essential daily living products for anyone with hearing impairment. This VTech cordless model includes an answering machine, call blocking, a 90-decibel ringer, and one-touch audio assist to amplify call volume to 50 decibels.
Big Button TV Remote
$16 from Amazon
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Older adults with low vision often have difficulty seeing the numbers on an ordinary TV remote, and pressing the buttons with arthritic hands can be hard too. An EasyMote big button universal remote control is one of those daily living products that can make a big difference.
Garden Kneeler
$53 from Amazon
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Just because you're outside doesn't mean you can't benefit from a few independent living aids in the yard and garden. There are many contraptions that improve comfort while working in the garden. This TomCare garden kneeler can be flipped over and used as a low bench.
Book Light
$10 from Amazon
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Sit up all night reading your favorite novel with an Energizer book light. This battery-powered clip-on LED light provides plenty of illumination for reading. Two batteries are included.
Playing Card Holders
$19 from Amazon
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Yellow Mountain Imports wooden playing card holders make a great gift for anyone who has difficulty grasping or holding small objects. Set of four.
Key Turner
$15 from Amazon
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A key turner provides a little extra leverage for those who can't easily turn a key in a lock. Keywing's version comes with three dimpled-dome turners, and bright colors help keep keys easy to identify and find.
Adult Coloring Book
$8 from Amazon
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Adult coloring books are all the rage, but many include designs with narrow lines or tight spaces that are difficult for aging eyes to see. Look for coloring books made with seniors and novices in mind, with easy-to-color illustrations.
Therapeutic Puzzles
Various prices from Amazon
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Therapeutic puzzles like Puzzle With Me have only 12 pieces and are designed for those struggling with memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, or dementia. They come with a built-in shelf, which allows them to be enjoyed anywhere.
Non-Skid Dinnerware
$15 from Amazon
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Add dishes with a non-skid base to your list of independent living aids for the kitchen. This Liberty Assistive scoop plate with rubber base can make eating easier for someone who has limited muscle control or the use of only one hand.
Large-Print Puzzle Books
Various prices from Amazon
Not every product designed for seniors has to be about falls and failing eyesight. Brain Games offers a huge selection of puzzle books in large print that help fill downtime and keep brains sharp. From word searches and crosswords to sudoku, mazes, and more, there's a puzzle book to fit just about any senior's interest.
Liquid-Level Indicator
$11 from Amazon
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Helpful for people who have lost most or all of their vision, a liquid-level indicator sounds an alert when a cup or bowl is nearly full.
Grocery Pickup or Delivery
Many grocery stores offer online ordering. Store staffers assemble and pack the order, and it can be picked up or delivered. This service can be a boon for seniors who are comfortable online or have a family member who can help. Costs vary, but retailers including Walmart and Costco offer free pickup at some locations.
Senior Meal Delivery
Various prices from Silver Cuisine
The well-reviewed Silver Cuisine senior meal delivery service offers chef-prepared breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for those 50-plus. In addition to for a wide variety of specialty diets — including heart-healthy, diabetic-friendly, and menopausal needs — the service also offers around 30 types of snacks, both sweet and savory.
Jar Opener
$7 from Amazon
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Easy Grip rubber jar openers make life easier for cooks with limited hand strength. They come in a set of four and are perfect for everyday tasks in the kitchen.
This article was originally published on Cheapism
