Growing old gracefully. Seems like a myth, doesn’t it? When we get old, a lot of things happen to us that we’re not proud of. Maybe we end up needing help getting that jar down from the top shelf. Or maybe we need help getting up the stairs. Here are some of the top tech gadgets that can make your life better and let you grow old gracefully.
Skype
Skype is a computer application that lets you make and receive phone calls for free.
It’s not new. And, it wasn’t initially designed for seniors. And, it’s also true that some seniors don’t want to use the Internet. But, some do. The truth is that older people can benefit from connecting via online services like Facetime (Apple) and Skype (Microsoft). If you’re having trouble getting set up with a Skype account, you might want to have your kids help you, or a neighbor.
It also lets you do video phone calls, so that you can see the person you’re calling. This is perhaps one of the most attractive features of the application. You can talk to, and see, your grandkids whom you may not see very often. Or, you can see your children, or maybe an old friend.
Probably the best part about Skype is that it’s not limited to desktops or laptops. You can use it on a tablet computer, and even your smartphone. This means that you can travel almost anywhere, and have access to close friends and family in a way that simply wasn’t possible before.
Grabbers And Reachers
These aren’t always high-tech, but they do make life much easier. If you’re concerned about your own safety when reaching for things that are high up, or in difficult places, then you should definitely use one. They can also be useful when you need to pick something up off the ground and don’t want to bend over and risk getting hurt.
Grabbers are long, thin, tools that act as a secure hand, helping you maintain your independence in your home. It’s also a great tool if you have arthritis, since it allows you to pick up things that you otherwise might not have the strength to.
Sight And Sound Gadgets
There are so many of these little gadgets on the market, it’s hard to keep track of them all. Light amplification technology, for example, can help you read better in dim light, and hearing devices can help you hear better when you’re in a crowded room or when there is a lot of background noise.
If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like going out because you’re worried that you won’t be able to see or hear, and thus enjoy, things like movies or maybe your failing eyesight has kept you from joining a book club that meets in a dimly-lit coffee shop.
Light amplification gadgets can help you feel not so self-conscious. They can also take the strain off your eyes. Telephone amplification devices can help you carry on conversations without constantly asking people to repeat themselves. This leads to more natural conversations and a closeness that some people lack due to their failing hearing.
Stairlifts
If you have a heart condition or mobility issues, then installing a stairlift at home might be the best thing you do for yourself. These devices are being installed in some newer or newly remodeled homes by default, and you can get additional info at SaterHogg.co.uk if you happen to be in the market for a new home (if you’re downsizing).
A stairlift is basically a device that attaches to your wall, next to your stairs. The device sort of looks like a chair you can sit in, and is positioned at the bottom of the stairs. You sit in the chair, and pull down a protective arm, that keeps you from falling out of the chair.
Then, you push a button and the chair takes you up the stairs. You don’t need to climb up them yourself. It’s a great option for you if you’re finding it harder and harder to get up the stairs, and your bedroom is up there or you just need to be able to get up the stairs for some other reason.
High-Tech Telephone Systems
A high-tech phone system goes a long way towards making your life easier. Here’s how they work. A corded base and cordless handset with a large text display and an amber backlit button interface, allows you to do things like boost the audio or improve the clarity of the numbers you’re dialing.
The device also comes with an answering machine that has a “slow” option so you can play messages at a slower speed so you don’t miss anything. You even get a pendant that that you wear around your neck which functions as a light, mini-cordless phone, and with two programmable buttons, you can instantly dial 911 or your caregiver if you fall or you can’t get to the handset.
Christian Todd helps to care for his ageing parents. He has gained a lot of useful information from others in similar circumstances and has now started to pass it forward, by writing his own articles.
My two favorite ideas here are Skype and Grabbers. Grabbers are something that come in handy for all ages. Especially for reaching things in small spaces are things in high places. Get a pair…you will be glad you did. They can be used in outdoor clean up too.