Essential Items for the Elderly: Things That Make Life Easier

Essential Items for the Elderly: Things That Make Life Easier

Written by Alisa Matsushita-Bomba & Reviewed by Gurnoor Mand

Older adults living in multigenerational homes, living alone, or in long-term care can experience changes in abilities and needs they did not require before. Simple tasks like dressing and walking may become challenging and require more time and effort. However, with the right tools and services, we can make everyday tasks easier and more comfortable to do for our loved ones as they age. From mobility aids and home modifications to meal delivery services, we'll cover a wide range of options to help seniors stay independent, healthy, and happy. If you are a caregiver seeking solutions or practical gifts for an older person, this post will offer tips and suggestions for things that can make all the difference.

Here Are Some Essential Items That Can Make a Significant Improvement In Their Quality of Life: 

Adaptive Clothing

Adaptive clothes are designed for people who have trouble dressing themselves because of mobility challenges. The clothes make dressing easier, safer, and comfortable to do. They come in a wide range of styles and functional qualities to fit different needs and preferences. Adaptive clothing eliminates the need for movements that can be hard for people with disabilities or older people. Some features of adaptive clothing include velcro fasteners, zippers, magnetic buttons, back overlaps, and more. The clothes are designed to be comfortable and high quality. This is done by the use of soft materials that are breathable and stretchable, perfect for older adults with sensitive skin. They also take into account the challenges older people face in their daily lives, like anti-slip shoes and socks to prevent the risk of falls. June Adaptive is a company that specifically makes products with these features and materials for people who would benefit from adaptive clothing. They have products like anti-slip socks, shirts with magnetic buttons, and jeans with side zips. By customising clothing to suit needs of all abilities, adaptive clothing has improved the quality of life for many people by making it easier for them to manage their clothes and maintain a clean, presentable appearance while still being comfortable. 

 

    Men's Side Zip Jeans

    Everyday Crew Anti-Slip Socks (3 pairs)

    Mobility Aids

    Mobility aids are devices designed to help people move around more easily and safely. These devices can range from walking aids like canes to motorized wheelchairs. They provide more independence and freedom for older people by helping them move around easily. With mobility aids, they can perform daily activities and engage in social events they may not have been able to do. Wheelchairs and scooters can assist people with limited mobility to go shopping, run errands, visit friends and family, and enjoy outdoor activities. They can also improve safety and reduce the risk of falls and injuries. Canes and walkers can provide additional support, making it less likely to lose their balance. Being able to move around more freely can also improve mental health and well-being. Buying your loved one a walker can help to reduce feelings of isolation and encourage them to engage in activities they enjoy. These aids can also be cost-effective compared to other types of assistance, like hiring a caregiver or paying for transportation costs. They can be a one-time investment that can be used for a long time. Improve their quality of life with a mobility aid by providing greater independence and comfort for your loved one.

      Home Modification Devices

      Home modification devices are specialized equipment and tools designed to make living spaces meet the needs of older people. These devices can be simple handles and grab bars or complex to install like stairlifts and wheelchair ramps. Home modification devices provide greater accessibility and mobility for older people within their homes. Stairlifts can safely transport people up and down stairs, removing the need to worry about falling, which is a major cause of injury for older people, and providing access to areas inside their home that were not easily accessible. They can also increase independence and reduce the need to rely on caregivers or family members. Handles and grab bars can replace the need for a caregiver to be by their side when moving around in their home, since handles can improve their balance and stability. Increasing a sense of independence using these home modification devices can also improve their quality of life. 

        Meal Delivery Services

        Meal delivery services are a convenient, practical solution for people who are unable to cook for themselves. There are different options like services where they deliver you the ingredients to make certain dishes or services where they deliver you full meals that you can eat right away. Either of the options have many benefits for older people. They can easily provide access to a wide range of nutritious meals they would otherwise not be able to eat. Older people unable to cook for themselves may be limited to a small range of meals, or struggle to cook with healthy foods. Meal delivery services can offer a variety of options that cater to many dietary requirements, ensuring that people can receive a healthy meal no matter what they are able to eat. They can save time and effort that is needed to prepare meals for other activities, like hobbies or spending time with their family and friends. The service can also be flexible, allowing options of choosing when to receive the meals and where they are delivered to. This is helpful for older people who don’t need to get a meal delivered everyday but still want the option to receive one on certain days. They can also be good for seniors who are living alone who have limited social interactions since they can have an opportunity for social contact with the delivery drivers. Meal services can also provide peace of mind for family members who are worried about the nutritional well-being of their parent or other family member. By ensuring that clients are getting a balanced meal on a regular basis, meal delivery services can provide a range of benefits for the person receiving the meals and their surrounding family members.  

          A Way to Communicate

          Humans need to have some social interaction to have a good quality of life. For older people, this can be challenging when living alone or if it is challenging to go out because of mobility issues. There are many different ways to communicate with others through technology. Video conferencing is an example, on platforms like Skype and Zoom. Older people can connect with family, friends, and even medical professionals remotely which can save them time and effort of going out while reducing the barriers to communication. Another way of connecting with others is through text messaging. This can be a practical way to communicate with anyone who has a phone. Living far away from their loved ones is no longer a problem with video conferencing and text messaging. 

            Adaptive clothing, mobility aids, home modification devices, meal delivery services, and communication platforms are all things that can make life easier for older people. They can have a significant impact on their lives, supporting their independence and improving their health.  Consider getting your loved one these items to improve their well being and quality of life. 




             

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