Senior Living News

1. Kitchen Tools

Many seniors develop arthritis as they age, resulting in chronic joint pain and stiffness. If you have arthritis, you may have difficulty chopping vegetables, opening cans, carrying heavy pots or performing other kitchen tasks. The good news is that many companies now offer senior-friendly kitchen tools to make your life easier.

If you love to cook, consider purchasing the following:

• Electric can opener: If you have trouble rotating a handheld can opener, switch to an electric one.
• Bagel slicer: For people with arthritis, it's difficult to grip large knives. If you don't want to give up your morning bagel, look for a bagel slicer. It does the work for you, reducing the risk of serious kitchen accidents.
• Wheeled garlic chopper: Even if you feel confident in your ability to grip a knife, stiff joints make it a little tougher to mince garlic. If you have a wheeled garlic chopper, you don't have to use a knife at all. You can load the garlic into the chopper and then roll it back and forth for a fine mince.
• Jar opener: If you struggle to open pickles, jellies and other jarred foods, pick up a jar opener to make things easier. Look for a model with nonslip handles to reduce the risk of dropping wet jars.
• Ring pull: Canned beverages, soups and vegetables often have ring pulls on them. If you don't have a lot of strength in your hands, it can be tough to open one of these cans without assistance. A ring pull is shaped like a hook, so you can easily insert it through the hole in the ring tab and pull gently.

2. Digital Tablets

If you have a tablet, you can access hundreds of apps designed to make your life easier. For example, many seniors use reminder apps to help with medication management. If you tend to forget your daily medications, you can use one of these apps to send a notification when it's time to take each pill.

A tablet also makes it easier to monitor your health and identify concerning trends. If you have high blood pressure, for example, you can use your tablet to record daily blood pressure readings. Depending on which app you use, it may be possible to create weekly and monthly graphs, send the readings to your doctor's office or record any symptoms you experience on days your blood pressure is higher than normal.

These apps increase independence by helping you take control of your health. Some apps also facilitate better communication with health care providers, ensuring you have the support you need to live your best life.

3. Medical Alert Systems

Medical alert systems, also known as personal emergency response systems (PERS), make it easier to access emergency services. For example, many systems come with pendants or bracelets you can wear around the house. If you fall or have some other type of emergency, you simply press the button on your alert system to connect to an emergency response center.

At LifeStream at Glendale, every resident has access to a 24-hour emergency call system, making it easy to summon help when needed. We also offer exercise programs, on-site therapy and other services to help you stay as active and independent as possible. Best of all, residents get to enjoy living in sunny Glendale, Arizona.

4. Reachers and Grabbers

Falls are a major problem for older adults. In fact, about 25% of seniors experience at least one fall each year, increasing the risk for broken bones, head injuries and sprains. If you develop balance problems, your risk of falls is even higher, as it becomes more difficult to stay upright when you're walking and doing other activities.

To reduce your risk of falls, pick up a reacher or grabber tool next time you're shopping. These tools eliminate the need to get up on a stool or stand on your tiptoes to get things down from cabinets and shelves. For example, if you need to reach a can on the highest shelf in your pantry, you can use a grabber to pull it toward you instead of stretching up toward the shelf.

5. Bathroom Products

For seniors, the bathroom is one of the most dangerous rooms in the home. Even if you don't have balance problems or chronic health issues, you can easily slip on a wet floor or fall when you're trying to stand up from a low toilet. If you're concerned about your safety, consider installing grab bars, purchasing a shower chair or getting a raised toilet. These bathroom products reduce the risk of falls, making it easier to maintain your independence.

It may also be helpful to install a bidet or a handheld shower. If you have these products, you don't have to worry about bending down to get toilet paper or reaching up to adjust the shower spray.

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