Lifestyle Simple Gadgets for Seniors 11/8/2023 | By Donna Brody Even simple modern inventions make life easier than it was for our parents and grandparents. Many accessible gadgets for seniors allow those with physical challenges to tackle tasks that had become too difficult. Seniors Guide writer Donna Brody shares a few of her favorites. It’s easy for seniors to reminisce about “the good old days.” We reflect back to simpler, less-stressful times when we were children, drinking from the hose or roller skating around the neighborhood until darkness set in. Although those memories might make me feel a bit nostalgic, there are things I remember that were not so wonderful. Most of our mothers put in a full work day trying to keep up with household chores for their families. I have memories of my mother using a washing machine with a wringer that squeezed out excess water. The wet clothing was hung on a clothesline or drying rack then ironed and folded. Our moms cooked meals, packed lunches, made beds, cleaned house, and washed dishes by hand. They shopped for groceries and did a hundred other tasks for the family. Most kept up this routine until their children left home or they were too old to continue. Life has changed in the 69 years I have been alive, and I don’t miss doing the chores my family faced every day. I can’t imagine living without a dishwasher, clothes dryer, electric can opener, and the other items around my house that make my life so much simpler. We may not have reached full-fledged Jetson status yet, but in the last few decades, some wondrous household gadgets have made our lives easier and drastically cut down on the time it takes to do chores. For aging adults, there are even more benefits, especially for those facing physical challenges. Here are some gadgets I use regularly, as well as some I would definitely like to try. Gadgets for seniors for convenience and independence Salad spinners I never heard of a salad spinner until my son and daughter-in-law received one as a gift. I always struggled to find ways to “dry” lettuce or other leafy veggies to yield a crisp salad. A salad spinner has an outer bowl and an inner basket and a top that seals tightly over the bowls. Set the washed lettuce in the basket inside the bowl, seal the lid, and turn the crank (or push the pump). Voila! No more soggy salads! Air fryers The next item I discovered was an air fryer. With this appliance, my husband and I can cook meals for the two of us without heating up the kitchen. It fits on the counter. An air fryer has a basket and an outer cooking cylinder. It cooks meats, vegetables, frozen foods, desserts, and many other foods. The appliances come in different sizes, depending upon your household needs. Best yet, air frying is a healthier option than frying in oil, and the food tastes just as good! Robot vacuum cleaners Using an upright or canister vacuum is hard on the backs and joints of most seniors (and not fun for anyone!). Let me introduce the robot vacuum we named Roxy. The two-part device has a base that plugs into a wall socket and a vacuum, which uses the base as, well, home base. At the push of a button or on a pre-set schedule, the vacuum moves around the house, lifting dirt and crumbs into the machine. The vacuum turns itself around when it encounters furniture or comes to a staircase. Some of the higher-end models even have a self-empty base, making them even more appealing as gadgets for seniors. Let’s get technical! Cool technology for seniors Pill cutters and dispensers Another category of gadgets for seniors makes medication management easier. Pill cutters easily split pills, making them easier to swallow or easier to adjust doses. For those who have trouble keeping track of multiple medications, automatic pill dispensers can be preloaded by a user or caregiver and programmed with an alarm to remind the user to take the requisite medications. Grabber tools For many, life became easier with the invention of the simple grabber tool. These gadgets can be used to retrieve items from the floor or under a bed or to reach things in upper cabinets. This is especially useful for those with limited mobility, difficulty stooping and bending, or balance issues. Jar openers and can openers For older adults who suffer the effects of arthritis, jar openers and specially designed can openers can help with the struggle. Gadgets both electric and manual offer ways to grab and release jar lids easily. Neck massagers Finally, when chores are over and it’s time to relax, nowadays we can reach for a handy neck massager. These devices are designed to release tension and induce relaxation in your own home. Some even add heat to the massage. I can’t wait to see what’s next when it comes to household gadgets! As an Amazon Associate, Seniors Guide earns from qualifying purchases of linked books and other products. Read More Donna Brody Donna Brody is a former community college English instructor who retired to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She enjoys freelance writing and has self published three romance novels. Besides writing and traveling with her husband, she keeps busy visiting her seven grandchildren.