Wednesday, 7 December 2011

Making Life Easier: Aids For The Elderly

By Byron Jonas


As one ages the body often becomes less functional and simple tasks become more difficult. Fortunately, modern technology has provided a variety of aids for the elderly to help in all situations. Life does not have to become difficult. With the aids available the senior citizen can stay safe and independent.

The bathroom and the kitchen are the rooms where the most age related problems occur. By using a special plug with a ring to grip, taking a plug from its socket can be eased. Making a hot drink can be accomplished more safely by using a kettle tipper. These enable one to tip the kettle far enough to pour without having to lift it. Hands crippled with arthritis may find it easier to use an adapted cutlery set. A plate with a raised edge may also make it easier to transfer food to the spoon or fork.

Getting in and out of the bath is a problem for many elderly folk. However, the range of bath lifts available make it a simple matter to choose a suitable one. The elderly person can look forward to bathing in privacy again. Dignity is returned.

Going to the toilet is another problematic area. A low toilet seat may have another fitted over it to raise the seat to a suitable height. A frame can be fitted around the toilet to help with sitting and standing. If necessary a bottom wiper can be used. This gadget holds the paper to enable one to perform the task more easily.

Mobility scooters, wheelchairs (with raincovers for bad weather), trolleys, rollators and walking sticks all help one to get out and about. Locking and unlocking doors can be made simpler by using a key turner. These fit over normal keys There are even attachments to make turning a Yale knob easier.

Light switches can be made easier to operate by means of a large rocker switch that fits over the normal one. Grab rails can be fitted throughout the house to make moving around safer. It is also possible to find adapted cups to help with drinking and gadgets to help one open cans, jars or bottles more easily

There are too many aids to list them all here. However, one can be certain that whatever the difficulty there is a gadget to help. Getting older does not have to mean losing one's independence.




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