About 28% of seniors in the US live alone. Daily living aids make everyday activities easier and safer for seniors, allowing them to live at home and remain independent.
Types of Living Aids
There are several types of daily living aids for seniors. These include:
- Aids for Daily Living: This is a broad category of independent living items for seniors who live at home. This includes portable alarms, non-slip socks, and portable, lightweight chairs.
- Self-Help Aids: These allow seniors to be more independent even with limitations. These include dressing aids, mobility aids, and even step stools.
- Bathroom Aids: These include bathmats, toilet seat raisers, and other products and devices that make the bathroom safe and accessible for seniors.
- Bedroom Aids: This includes pillows, mattress pads, underpads, and other bedroom devices.
- Eating Aids: These include easy to use and disposable plates and cups, portion cups for medications, and even disposable spoons.
Top Ten Living Aids for Seniors
The senior in your life can likely benefit from daily living items. If in doubt about whether a product is appropriate, speak to the senior in question and ask their doctor.
- Non-Slip Socks: Non-slip socks are an excellent precaution for all seniors. You can find non-slip socks in a variety of lengths and colors.
- Step Stool: Step stools help seniors reach high places without strain and with minimal risk of injury. Seniors with mobility limitations can also use a step stool to get in and out of the bathtub or bed. You can find flat, single-step stools that offer only a bit of height but a lot of standing areas, or multi-level step stools that provide a variety of heights but less standing area.
- Fall Prevention Mat: These are useful in any part of the house with slippery floors.
- Comfortable Mattress Padding: Having a comfortable bed helps seniors get better quality sleep. There are many mattress overlays, including flat foam pads, ridged foam pads, and redistribution foam pads.
- Comfortable Pillow: This can be a soft pillow for sleeping or a wedge pillow to help with comfortable positioning.
- Thermometer: You can find both glass and digital thermometers online. A digital thermometer is more sturdy than a glass alternative if you are concerned about breakage. It is also easier to reset and will provide faster readings.
- Reaching Aid: Reaching aids are great for mobile individuals who cannot safely use a step stool or for individuals with limited mobility. Some reaching aids are foldable for easy storage.
- Disinfectant Wipes/ Sprays: Because the elderly are particularly vulnerable to infection, having disinfectant wipes or spray on hand is helpful. You can choose between a variety of sprays and wipes. You can select all-natural, scent-free sprays or wipes for individuals with allergies or sensitivity to smells.
- Wall Grip Bars: Wall grip bars come in a variety of sizes and grip types. While some wall grab bars are all steel, others may offer a rubber surface for better traction. They are also helpful for individuals who need some extra assistance getting in and out of the bathtub.
- Alarm System: If you have a senior living alone, a portable alarm system can call for help in case of an accident. It can also help to have an extra alarm system within reach in the bathroom or the bedroom.
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