As people age, some daily tasks can become more challenging. But that doesn’t mean seniors have to sacrifice their independence or quality of life.
At Chestnut Ridge, our independent living and personal care lifestyle options provide support that can help seniors live with independence. There are also many daily living aids available that can help seniors with various challenges, from mobility issues to vision and hearing impairments and beyond.
What Are Daily Living Aids?
Daily living aids, or assistive devices, can help make everyday tasks easier and safer, so seniors can continue to be independent while enjoying their lives. These are available in various forms to suit individual needs and preferences.
Whether it’s a simple modification to your home or apartment, a new device with voice recognition technology, or a piece of adaptive clothing, there are daily living aids that can help seniors stay independent, active, and engaged.
Who Can Benefit from Daily Living Aids?
The preservation of independence is crucial for many older adults. Daily living aids for seniors can help remove the barriers created by age-related challenges and promote late-life independence.
Daily living aids can assist seniors with mobility issues, such as disabilities, injuries, or those with an increased risk of falls. Daily living aids may also be beneficial for those affected by a variety of additional challenges, including:
- Arthritis
- Developmental disabilities
- Problems with balance
- Fractures or broken bones in the lower limbs
- Gout
- Injury to the legs, feet, or back
- Obesity
- Sprains and strains
- Walking impairment
- Visual impairment or blindness
- Recovery from surgery
Types of Daily Living Aids for Seniors
Many daily living aids can help seniors improve their independence, freedom, and quality of life. The types of daily living aids used will usually depend on the needs of an individual.
There are aids for each part of your home, including the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Some of the more common examples include:
- Mobility aids: Walkers, canes, crutches, mobility scooters, and wheelchairs can help seniors with mobility issues get around with ease and safety and help support their body weight to prevent falls.
- Grip and reach aids: These tools can help seniors with arthritis or limited mobility reach items on high shelves, pick up objects from the floor, and perform other tasks.
- Kitchen aids: A jar opener and ergonomic utensils can help with kitchen tasks.
- Home safety modifications: Home modifications like installing bed rails, handrails, ramps, and stair lifts or adding non-slip mats to slippery floors can help seniors navigate their homes safely and avoid falls.
- Adaptive clothing: Clothing with velcro or snap closures instead of buttons or shoes with velcro straps instead of laces can make it easier for seniors to dress. Long-handled shoe horns can also help seniors who may experience challenges when bending over.
- Medication reminders: Approximately 75% of seniors don’t take their medications as prescribed. Pill organizers with alarms or phone apps can help seniors remember to take their medication on time.
- Shower and bath aids: A grab bar, hand-held shower head, shower chair, and bath bench can help seniors bathe safely and independently.
- Toilet risers: An elevated toilet seat can make it easier for seniors to sit on and get up from the toilet.
- Hearing and speech aids: There are specific assistive devices for hearing loss and voice, speech, and language disorders. These can help seniors hear and understand more clearly and express their thoughts more easily. With hearing and speech aids, seniors can stay engaged in conversations and enjoy music and other sounds.
- Daily living aids for vision: Large-print books and calendars, eyeglasses, magnifying glasses, and other visual aids can help seniors read and see more clearly.
- Voice-activated devices or smart home assistants: These devices use voice recognition technology and voice commands to make it easier for seniors to control lights, adjust the thermostat, and perform other tasks without the need to get up and move around or work with switches and buttons.
- Medical alert systems: Personal emergency response systems can provide peace of mind for seniors and their families by offering quick access to emergency assistance if needed. Some systems even have sensors that can automatically detect trips and falls.
Maintain Your Independence at Chestnut Ridge Wallingford
Independence can help seniors maintain their dignity, control, and quality of life. Daily living aids can help support independence by promoting mobility and safety, allowing seniors to maintain their autonomy, social engagement, and mental health.
Schedule a visit with us to learn about our community and how we can support senior freedom, independence, and quality of life.