Helpful Gadgets for the Elderly

First a confession.  Ask anyone in my family and they will tell you I'm a "gadget guy".  Gadgets and elderly are two words that aren't often seen together, and I believe marketers are missing a lot of potential customers.  While many electronic devices are marketed at kids, teens, and young adults the fact is that many can fill very specific needs for the older adult.

We are all aware of the common place large button remote controls and cell phones (some of us might have actually received them as gifts!)  There are many other devices we see or use every day that can nicely meet a need for an elderly friend or relative living independently.  Below I have tried to identify categories, but you'll notice some items may fit into more than one.

1. Vision - As mentioned earlier, large button devices have been around for a while and all kidding aside, they do meet a need.  Larger buttons are easier to see and they are also easier to use for those with limitations in dexterity.  Talking devices are cropping up in many places too.  You can program your cell phone to read out the number or name of a personal calling you, and you can place a call by saying a name.  There are talking watches, blood sugar monitors, and blood pressure monitors.  Alarms on your pill box can remind you it's time to take your medication.  Electronic organizers can be programmed with alarms to remind you of, well, anything!  Love reading but find the type in books, magazines, and newspapers too small?  Consider a Kindle or similar devise.  Type size can be adjusted to meet your need.  Not only can you get books (you can find many for free) but you can change to an electronic subscription so the magazine or paper is automatically sent to your device.  Computer keyboards can also prove difficult to see for many people.  A keyboard with yellow keys and black letters may be easier to see, or maybe lighted keys solve the problem.  There are numerous accessibility options.  Computers also include accessibility adjustments from a high contrast theme to larger fonts and even text to voice and voice to text.  A quick internet search for a specific problem should produce several solutions.  MP3 players make an excellent device for audio books and of course CD (and sometimes cassette tape) audio books are available for purchase.
2. Transportation - Speaking of things that talk to you, have you spoken to your car lately?  Place a call, get directions, or summon help from your car.  Safety technology in cars is developing at a very rapid rate.  Sensors help you avoid hitting objects while backing up and brakes can automatically be applied if you get too close to the vehicle in front of you.  Sensors in your side mirrors can alert you if someone is in your blind spot and additional sensors on the back can alert you if a car or pedestrian is approaching from the side as you back up.  Yet other sensors will alert you if you are veering from your lane.
3. Monitoring Services - Many of us are familiar with Mrs. Fletcher who's fallen and can't get up.  The options for monitoring have come a long way since then.  There are paid monitoring services that can do anything from monitor the pendant worn around the neck to a complete system to monitor security, fire, and push button devices.  Some also include motion detectors that will alert the monitoring service if there has been no activity in the home for a period of time, if an hour has passed and the person has not come out of the bathroom, and even pressure sensors in the floor to monitor for falls.  Pill reminder alarm hasn't been effective?  Sign up for a service that will place a call (often times an automated call) for medication reminders.  You can also install and monitor your own system with a camera (or 6 or 10) that you can view over the internet any time.  Motion censors and other options are also available for these systems and they do not incur monthly monitoring charges.  Living in the same home and need low tech ways to keep track of Mom or Dad?  Wireless monitors and intercoms can be purchased almost anywhere.  Maybe you need to know when s/he gets up from a chair or out of bed.  Both pressure alarms and pull string alarms should be available at your local medical supply store.  These alarms emit a loud beep or buzz when activated letting you know as soon as the person is trying to get up.
4. Lighting - In my post yesterday about preventing falls I covered the importance of good lighting.  However, if the lights are never turned on they can't help.  Consider motion activated light switches.  When an area is dark the light will be turned on when motion is detected.  The light will remain on for a set period of time (usually up to 30 minutes).  Still in the hall when the light turns off?  Just wave a hand to reactivate.
5. Hearing - Many devices also exist for those with hearing impairments.  Someone missing phone calls or not answering the door because they don't hear it?  Grab a device that blinks a lamp or flashes a strobe when the phone rings or the door bell is pressed.  A phone amplifier can be added to both home and cellular phone.  Wireless headphones can allow a person to watch TV or to listen to music without bothering anyone else in the home.  Some hearing aid manufacturers make hearing aides that are compatible with wireless headphone systems so the sound is broadcast straight to the hearing aid.
6. Physical and mental fitness - The Nintendo Wii has many physical fitness programs available.  Some include progress tracking.  Walking and balance exercises are a few of the offerings.  Traditional games also offer fitness benefits.  Be aware, however, that if mobility issues exist this type of exercise should be done with your physician's consent and with supervision to avoid injury.  There are also many brain exercising titles from riddles to cross word puzzles to math.
7. Convenience - Some other items to consider.  Doors, especially entry doors, can pose difficulty for people using assistive mobility devices (wheel chairs, walkers, etc) or when carrying items into or out of the house.  Automatic door closers will close the door for you.  Your local or big box hardware store should have a few; some that look like their commercial cousins to spring loaded hinges that replace existing hinges.  An Automatic blood pressure monitor can make blood pressure checks easier; remember, though, they are often not as accurate.  Compare your reading with your doctor's when at the office.  A high or low reading with an automatic monitor should be rechecked in the other arm.  If the reading is still high or low don't panic, but get your blood pressure checked with a cuff and stethoscope.  A paper shredder can be an easy way to reduce the risk of identity theft.

This is by no means an exhaustive list but instead should serve as an illustration that a little creativity can go a long way toward addressing problems the elderly face in living independently.  Look beyond the obvious to better provide a safe environment for your loved one.