Daily living aids can help your loved one age in place safely while giving you peace of mind. These include various products designed to help seniors (or anyone) complete activities of daily living (ADLs) with safety, ease, and independence. Here are a few products to consider for your loved one’s home.
Updated April 25, 2022
What Are Daily Living Aids?
Aging in place supports seniors’ quality of life, physical health, and emotional wellbeing. With these advantages in mind, it’s no wonder 90% of seniors are choosing to age in place rather than move to a long-term care facility. However, aging in place also requires careful planning to ensure your loved one’s safety, comfort, and continued independence as they grow older.
Fortunately, daily living aids, or assistive devices, can help your loved one age in place safely while giving you peace of mind. Daily living aids include a wide variety of products designed to help seniors (or anyone else for that matter) complete activities of daily living (ADLs) with safety, ease, and independence.
Daily Living Aids For Aging In Place
There are many daily living aids to assist people with low vision, limited mobility, and other conditions that may interfere with everyday tasks. Here are a few products to consider as you help your loved one prepare to age in place.
Daily Living Aids For The Bathroom
For older adults, the bathroom can be one of the most dangerous rooms in your home because there is a higher chance of a fall. However, there are easy solutions to lower this risk and improve accessibility.
Comfort aids for seniors that you can fold and stow away when not in use work great for times when multiple people will share the bathroom.
Shower Chairs & Bath Seats
A shower chair or bath seat can make washing more convenient for seniors with poor balance or who tire quickly. You can find several styles for your space and budgetary needs, such as a simple stool, a chair with a back and arms, or a seat that attaches to the bath’s edge and allows seniors to pivot in and out of the tub, eliminating the need to step over the tub.
Hand-held Showerheads
A hand-held showerhead gives your loved one more control over the water flow while sitting in a shower chair.
Elevated Toilet Seats
As we age, some movements become more complicated – and sometimes dangerous – as our mobility declines.
Bending is one of the first changes that aging adults experience, making basic activities like using the restroom uncomfortable. However, an elevated toilet seat is one comfort aid for seniors that can make this task much more convenient. Like shower chairs, you can find a range of raised toilet seats according to your budget and loved ones’ needs.
Hygiene Assistive Devices
Elders with reduced dexterity or struggle with reaching may have trouble managing their hygiene. Comfort aids for seniors that assist with more personal activities such as using the restroom safeguards independence. An assistive device like the Jobar Long Reach Comfort Wipe helps older adults maintain their hygiene, safety, and dignity.
Safety Frames
If your loved one struggles with balance issues, consider installing a temporary safety frame around your toilet. The bars make it much easier for seniors to move up and down. Some elevated toilet seats even include arm bars to tackle both issues at once!
Grab Bars
Grab bars are a permanent home modification that you can install around your toilet or next to your bathtub or shower.
Daily Living Aids For The Bedroom
These daily living aids for the bedroom can help your loved one enjoy a better night’s rest and more safety getting in and out of bed.
Bed Rails
Sometimes, elderly adults require assistance moving in and out of bed. A bed rail can go a long way to improve mobility and independence. Some models include adjustable legs and arms, allowing seniors to walk further from the bed after getting out of it.
Mattress Cushions
Older adults should have a mattress that evenly disperses their body weight to reduce pressure on their joints and their bodies. But if your loved one’s current mattress is anything but comfortable, don’t worry! Instead of replacing it, consider purchasing a mattress topper that provides enough support for your loved one.
Not only is a cover more affordable than a new mattress, but you can also find a wide variety to fit your loved one’s preferences.
Mattress Covers
Protect your mattress with a vinyl mattress cover. Look for one made out of hospital-grade materials for quick and easy cleanup. Similarly, waterproof pads can protect against spills or incontinence and reduce the amount of laundry you have to do if it covers a bottom sheet.
Foam Pillows & Wedges
Just like proper mattress support, older adults also need a supportive pillow that ensures comfort when sitting up and sleeping. Use a foam wedge to cradle the neck and head and make breathing easier. Wedges are versatile: seniors can use them for laying down and sitting upright.
Safety Frames
If your loved one struggles with balance issues, consider installing a temporary safety frame around your toilet. The bars make it much easier for seniors to move up and down. Some elevated toilet seats even include armbars to tackle both issues at once!
Grab Bars
Grab bars are a permanent home modification that you can install around your toilet or next to your bathtub or shower.
Daily Living Aids For Low Vision
Vision naturally diminishes with age. But if your loved one is aging in place, low vision can sometimes be problematic, particularly if they live alone. Fortunately, these daily living aids can help.
Magnifiers
Keeping a picket magnifier handy can make it easier for seniors with reduced vision to read or see the finer details while working on certain hobbies.
Electronic Magnification Device
Electronic magnification devices (or CCTVs) are ideal for older adults with low vision who need a high degree of magnification. A video magnifier, for example, can help your loved one watch TV or read without a magnifying glass. Portable devices vary between 3.5 to 12 inches, while traditional magnifiers range from 16 to 24 inches.
Bump Dots
Bump dots are tactile labels to assist people with low vision. This product comes in eight sizes and colors to help your loved one quickly tell the difference between items. You can use them on keyboards, telephone keypads, light switches, and other areas of the house.
Alerting Indicators
Alerting indicators such as talking alarm clocks, wander alarms, liquid pouring aids, and level indicators can all promote independence and safety while aging in place.
Daily Living Aids For Hearing
Hearing loss can be devastating, but there are more products than ever before to help your loved one stay in touch with others. Here are a few daily living aids to help seniors who struggle with hearing loss.
Digital Hearing Aids
Unlike analog aids, digital hearing aids accurately adapt sounds based on your loved one’s preferences and situation, such as talking to somebody outside, on the phone, or in a quiet place like home. Plus, there are many digital hearing aids to choose from depending on your loved one’s circumstances.
Doorbell Alarms
For people with a hearing impairment, it’s not uncommon to miss a knock at the door or even the doorbell. However, many devices are available that can help. For example, many wireless doorbell systems feature extra loud alerts, lights, or vibrations to let your loved one know when someone is at the door.
TV Ears
If your loved one is hard of hearing, finding the right TV volume can be a battle. You want your loved one to enjoy the show, but a loud TV might drown out conversations and cause discomfort to others.
TV Ears give you and your loved one the best of both worlds. The headset connects to your television and lets seniors adjust the volume to their comfort level.
Daily Living Aids For Clothing
Arthritis, joint, or muscle pain can make routine tasks like getting dressed challenging for many older adults. However, daily living aids for getting dressed can go a long way to help your loved one get ready for the day with less pain and hassle.
Long-handled Shoehorns
Long-handled shoehorns help older adults put on their shoes without bending over. Most models feature lightweight, durable materials that will last a long time. In addition, some types of shoehorns can assist your loved one with removing their socks.
Sock Aids
Sock aids are small, convenient products that help your loved one put on their socks and shoes with minimal movement or effort. To use one, your loved one places a sock over the frame, sets it on the floor, and slips their foot into the sock.
Dressing Stick
If your loved one has limited mobility or back and shoulder pain, a dressing stick is a versatile device that helps them put on underwear, pants, shirts, or jackets.
Leg Lifters
A leg lifter is a daily living aid that helps your loved one raise and lower weak or immobile legs in a controlled manner, making it ideal for seniors with weakened hip flexors or after hip surgery.
Button Hooks
Button hooks assist with button fastening, which is particularly beneficial if your loved one has arthritis or struggles with dexterity.
Bra Angel
For women with limited mobility, putting on a bra can be one of the most bothersome parts of getting dressed. However, this assistive device can make it less problematic. It features a chin rest for added comfort and a holder that firmly grasps both ends of the bra for effortless fastening.
Daily Living Aids From MeetCaregivers
Daily living aids can make a big difference in your loved one’s quality of life by making it easier to complete ADLs independently. Visit our Marketplace to find home care products today.
Of course, assistive devices can’t fill every need, so you might consider hiring a caregiver if you believe your loved one needs a little more assistance. Whether for a few hours a day or the week, a certified companion or caregiver can ensure your loved one receives the proper support. So call 1-888-541-1136 or click Find A Caregiver to learn how we can help.
For additional resources for caregivers, seniors, and families, visit the Blog.
- Baiera, V. (2021, June 11). 10 Daily Living Aids for Seniors That Make Life Easier. Step2Health.com. Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://step2health.com/blogs/news/daily-living-aids-for-seniors
- Frances Leckie Associates. (n.d.). Aids for Hearing Loss. IndependentLiving.co.uk. Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://www.independentliving.co.uk/il-editorials/aids-for-hearing-loss/
- Independent Living Aids. (n.d.). Electronic Magnification. IndependentLiving.com. Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://independentliving.com/vision/electronic-magnification/
- MaxiAids.com. (n.d.). Alerting Indicators. MaxiAids.com. Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://www.maxiaids.com/alerting-indicators-2
- Vazquez, S. M. (2019, August 2). 10 Best Dressing Aids That’ll Help You Remain Independent. WomansWorld.com. Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://www.womansworld.com/gallery/aging/best-dressing-aids-for-seniors-169280