A person’s ability to get around their home and interact with their environment will ultimately determine their success (and satisfaction) with aging in place. Proper planning and modifications can allow you to more safely manoeuvre around your home. Making minor changes can greatly improve your quality of life. Here’s just 5 suggestions that could make a real difference.
1. Kettle Tippers
Many daily kitchen tasks and processes can be quite difficult for people with limited mobility. To make these activities simpler and less stressful, you can find a range of high-quality and useful kitchen aids that includes a variety of devices and tools, such as modified versions of common equipment and unique designs.
These items are intended to provide independence for cooking and daily kitchen chores; aids includes special cutting boards and modified food preparation boards, one-handed can openers, one-handed jar openers, disabled kitchen trolleys, and kettle tippers, along with other general kitchen equipment.
One of the most handy is the Kettle Tipper.
2. Hand Grabbers
A little extended reach can go a long way. Use of a grabber tool can allow those with mobility limitations to pick up a dropped coin, throw out a used can, or reach the far end of the pantry without assistance. A grabber can make everyday activities, from cooking dinner to cleaning the house, possible for people with limited reach. Also, the installation of under cabinet, roll-out shelves is a great way to reduce the amount of bending and stooping. You could also consider adding pull-down shelves for the overhead cabinets and installing an adjustable shelving systems.
3. Light Doorbell
Those who are hard-of-hearing or deaf could make use of the ‘Light Bell’ visual doorbell as a means of ensuring that they never miss when someone comes to their door. The ‘Light Bell’ consists of a specialised lightbulb that works by being installed into a light fixture or lamp of your choosing. The lightbulb will then work to provide visual feedback (five on and off cycles) when the doorbell is rung to let the inhabitant know that a guest is at the door or that they have a delivery.
4. Fall Smart Watches
Cloud-based platform VitalTech recently launched a new emergency voice call-out and fall-detection wearable, dubbed VitalBand. The smartwatch comes in response to many seniors feeling self-conscious about wearing the traditional pendants and were in the market subtle substitute.
The VitalBand is able to track vital signs including the heart and respiratory rate in addition to oxygen saturation. The senior-specific wearable also provides information regarding physical activity and sleep quality as well as medication reminders. This health-focused wearable was built to last and is water-resistant, sweat-proof and charges on the wearer’s write to ensure 24-hour safety.
5. Stair Nosing
Stairs are particularly dangerous for people who may have reduced leg strength or balance issues. Install a handrail up steps and stairs will help, as will having different coloured step edges and nosing. Both will go a long way towards preventing falls.
There are so many ways to make life much more comfortable, functional and safe as you age in place in the home you love.
