A couple of months ago, I wrote a post where I shared a list of 13 things that can make daily life a little easier for us older adults. Because if you’re anything like me, the aches and pains, lapses in memory, and other “senior moments” may not be debilitating, but that doesn’t mean we don’t wish those situations were a little easier to navigate! :-)
And today I have another batch of the same sort of helpful tips for older adults to share with you today! Whether you find yourself struggling to remember what you drove to the store for, find the TV remote, or get around the house without acquiring new bumps and bruises, you’ll find a helpful tip or product in this list that can help.
These 7 handy ideas and products will help you make it through the day independently, and, even more importantly, safely! As always, feel free to contribute your own clever tips and tricks for older adults in a comment at the end of this post.
7 More Things That Make Life Easier For Older Adults
1. Corner Guards
As we get older, our skin gets thinner and more fragile, which makes it more likely to bruise (or even tear!) when we bump into things. This is something I’ve personally been struggling with for years now. (As my mom would say, I “bruise like a summer peach!”)
To make bumps less painful (and hopefully less bruising) install some simple corner guards onto the edges of coffee tables, side tables, and other low furniture. They’ll help cushion those unforgiving corners so they’re safer for your shins (and your grandkids’ noggins!)
2. Pre-Belting Pants
Whether you have arthritic hands like I do or have aches and pains in your back or shoulders, putting a belt on can be a literal pain! A simple solution to this problem? Insert your belt into your belt loops before you put your pants on.
“Pre-belting” your pants requires a lot less reaching, stretching, and struggling, and your pants still get securely belted on in the end.
3. Keep Remotes Handy
Never lose a remote again! Decide where you want to keep them stored (the coffee table or beside your recliner are both excellent choices), then use a bit of peel-and-stick velcro to attach them securely to their new home base. Your remotes won’t get lost falling between couch cushions, and you won’t have to spend time looking around when you need them.
4. Snap A Fridge Pic
If you have a tendency to get to the store and realize you forgot what you came for, or that you didn’t take inventory of what do or don’t have in the fridge before you left, there’s a simple fix! Take a photo of the inside of your refrigerator before you leave the house, and then you can refer to it to help you remember what you have and what you need to re-up on.
5. Grip Bar
While a slip-and-fall situation gets scarier the older you get, slipping in the tub or shower can be dangerous at any age! For added stability while getting in and out of your tub or shower, consider putting up a simple grip bar like this one. It attaches with suction cups so you don’t have to worry about drilling into your walls or doing any complicated installation.
6. Tape Cords And Cables
To prevent falls in other areas of the house, keep loose cords and cables out of the way by securing them to your floors or baseboards with electrical tape. Not only will it keep you on your feet, but you’ll avoid accidentally pulling expensive electronics down with you!
7. Shower Seat
Wish you had a seat in your shower? Well the good news is that you don’t need to plan an expensive bathroom renovation to get one! This bath and shower chair has adjustable rubber feet so you can set it at the perfect height, or if you’re looking something a bit more spa-like, check out this bamboo shower bench.
What else could make life easier for older adults?
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