Smart Senior

Don’t knock gizmos and gadgets.   Whether your parents are getting older, or
you are an independent senior
yourself, you are undoubted wondering what you can do to make your life easier
and your home safer.  Even if you are in
good health you may find that activities of daily living are not as easy as
they used to be.  Bending, stooping,
climbing stairs or even just opening a pickle jar may be a challenge.

Remodeling your house or
moving into a retirement community would be the ideal solution, but it is not
for everyone.  You should be able to stay
in your own home, without compromising your health and well-being, and be able
to do it without spending money that you don’t have.   However, you do need to be aware that your
house could be sabotaging your bid for independent living.  Don’t delay. 
If you don’t know where to start, ask for help.  An evaluation by a professional will be money
well spent, and may even be covered by your health insurance.  An occupational
therapist can make practical and economical recommendations that will make
your home a better place to live.    The
idea of safety proofing your home or
buying anything that sounds high tech can be daunting, but small changes can
make a big difference.  

Family members and friends
often ask what they can get for you or what they can do to help you.  Next time, tell them what you would really
like.  Instead of mumbling into your hand
that you are fine and that you don’t need or want anything, give them a list.  Believe me, your children and your friends
will be pleased to know that they can do something useful.  Really, they hate buying bathrobes and dusting
powers as much as you hate getting them. 
Let them know how much you would appreciate a subscription to a taxi
service, safety strips for your bathtub, an alarm pendant, or a dozen other
items that you need but never get around to buying for yourself.    Do you still need some ideas?

• Get rid of wobbly television tray tables or end
  tables in your living room.  I have
  seen far too many older people use furniture to support themselves on as
  they move around their apartments. 
  This is never a good idea.

• Replace easy chairs that are hard to get into
  and out of.  You need solid arms
  supports and firm cushions.   When
  you were younger it was all well and good to sink into a bean bag chair,
  but nowadays you could be stuck there for days.

•  Replacing
  a slippery round doorknob with a lever will make it easier for you to open
  doors (there are also door knob lever adaptors that will fit right over
  your existing doorknob).  Lever
  faucet handles for sink and bath are easier to manipulate if your hand
  strength is less than it should be.

• An occupational therapist will introduce you to
  tools such as the”reacher” (a long pole with a grabber at the end) to help
  your reach for items high or low. 
  Dozens of products such as the Good Grip Jar Opener by OXO are
  available to help you out in the kitchen. 
  You wouldn’t think something so simple could mean so much.  Inexpensive bottle openers, pill
  dispensary units, specialty toothbrush and floss holders.  If you have a need you can find just the
  right gizmo or gadget to fill your needs.

Where there is a will there
is a way.  Look for answers and accept
help.  Independent Living could be right at your fingertips.