Life gets easier with age in some ways — you have more confidence and emotional resilience, and you finally have time for activities you enjoy. At the same time, however, common problems like arthritis and memory loss can slow you down and make life more difficult. Many products on the market help overcome these obstacles so you can remain independent.
Take a look at our top 10 picks for aging in place products or check out 8 DIY modifications to keep you happy in your home for years to come.
1. Gorilla Grip original patented bath, shower and tub mat
Stay safe and clean — the Gorilla Grip mat has 324 suction cups that hold it in place on smooth surfaces to prevent slips and falls. It’s antibacterial, mildew resistant and free of BPA, phthalates or latex. You can easily clean it in your washing machine, and it comes with a 10-year warranty.
Let this robot do the dirty work — the iRobot Roomba 980 Robot Vacuum is equipped with power-lifting suction that delivers. It has Wi-Fi capability for room mapping and programming, and the robot vacuum’s high-efficiency filter captures 99% of pet allergens.
Why stand when you can sit? The Medokare shower stool comes with a padded seat, tote bag handles and adjustable legs that stretch from 12.5 inches to 18.5 inches. Thanks to its non-slip rubber feet, this shower bench is stable and sturdy on any bathtub or shower floor.
You CAN do it all — the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch electric can opener easily opens all standard-size and pop-top cans without leaving sharp edges. The large, ergonomic lever only requires a light touch to start, so it’s simple for those with arthritis to operate.
Open up to new opportunities — if joint pain makes turning regular knobs difficult, consider the Berlin Modisch door handle for your home or office. The package comes with a lock, two keys and a door bumper wall protector, and it’s easy to install.
Don’t forget to stay healthy — the MedCenter 31-day pill organizer comes with easy color-coded tracking and a loud alarm system to alert you of up to four daily doses. The talking alarm tells you the date and time (“good morning, please take your morning pills for the 23rd,” for example). The system includes two AA batteries.
Put your best foot forward — with Lock Laces, you can turn any pair of lace-up shoes into slip-ons. The patented design was created for triathletes, and the laces are comfortable, durable and discreet. Lock Laces are easy to adjust and come with a one-year warranty.
You see what you did there — the Brightech Lightview Pro comes with a large LED-lighted magnifying glass for 2.25x magnification. The LEDs last for up to 100,000 hours and produce 900 lumens without generating heat. Place the two-in-one magnifier on the floor or a table to easily see while reading, writing or crafting.
Don’t stress about getting up — the Mega Motion lifting recliner comes with a hand-held remote that controls the backrest and footrest. The remote also raises and lowers the chair, which makes it easy to get in and out of. Financing is available, and there’s a two-year warranty.
Go easy on the environment — Lutron Maestro motion sensor light switches use motion-detecting technology to automatically turn the light on when you enter a room and off when you exit. The switches are programmable and compatible with all types of light bulbs. The package includes one Maestro sensor switch, and wall plates are sold separately in a variety of colors.
Aging-in-place technology is improving people’s quality of life like never before. With so many products on the market to make daily tasks easier for seniors, many older Americans can retain their independence and stay in their homes.
As a member of the ConsumerAffairs Research Team, Kathryn Parkman believes everyone deserves easy access to accurate and comprehensive information on products and businesses before they make a purchase, which is why she spends hours researching companies and industries for ConsumerAffairs. She believes conscious consumption is everyone's responsibility and that all content deserves integrity.
