10 Best Assistive Devices for the Elderly

If you're responsible for or concerned about your senior loved one's independence in daily activities and quality of life, adaptive equipment for the elderly may help.

The importance of adaptive equipment for the elderly cannot be overstated.

It's natural for our physical abilities to change over time. Some people may find everyday tasks like bathing, walking, vision tasks, or dressing more challenging. These changes can sometimes affect safety.

Some elderly people may need assistance in the form of elderly assistive devices or equipment to facilitate their independence, safety, and quality of life.

In this guide, we'll explore the top 10 best adaptive equipment for the elderly designed to enhance mobility, safety, independence, and quality of life for seniors.

What is Adaptive Equipment for the Elderly?

Adaptive equipment for the elderly are specialized tools and devices designed to assist seniors in performing daily tasks and activities more easily and safely.

These adaptive devices are tailored to the unique needs and challenges that come with aging.

Adaptive equipment can be important to seniors in many ways:

• Helps the elderly perform their daily tasks and activities more easily and safely
• Provides support in daily tasks and operations
• Facilitates independence of the elderly
• Enhances the elderly's safety
• Enables seniors to maintain their autonomy and continue participating in daily activities
• Contribute to the elderly's overall well-being and quality of life

Overall, adaptive equipment provides excellent ways to care for the elderly and give seniors safety while offering family members and caregivers peace of mind.

10 Best Assistive Devices for the Elderly

Here is our list of the 10 best assistive devices for the elderly to support their health, independence, and quality of life.

1. Mobility Aids

 As people age, we may encounter more mobility limitations and situations where mobility aids, such as canes, walkers, rehabilitation poles, wheelchairs (and power wheelchairs), stair lifts, and elevators, may be helpful.

This is why elderly adaptive equipment to aid mobility is one of the most widely used assistive devices. As per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 14% of adults aged 65 and older use a mobility device, and over 40% of adults over 80 use a cane, wheelchair, or walker.

Mobility aids provide stability and support, allowing elderly persons to move around safely both indoors and outdoors. This also includes adaptive devices in vehicles like adjustable mirrors, seats, power windows, and steering wheels for easy and safe driving.

2. Bathroom Safety Aids

Bathrooms can be hazardous for seniors due to their tight spaces, slippery surfaces, and awkward movements.

An elderly person with mobility limitations may have difficulties showering or using the toilet. Even though these self-care acts should be soothing, they can sometimes feel frightening due to risks like falling, which can lead to injuries or even a trip to the emergency room.

These issues can be easily minimized with the use of bathroom safety aids that prevent falls and provide support during the elderly persons' daily bathroom routine.

Some of the common elderly assistive devices for bathroom safety can include:

• Grab bars
• Shower chairs
• Adaptive bathroom seats (shower seats or bath benches)
• Raised toilet seats
• Transfer benches
• Walk-in bathtubs/shower
• Non-slip bath mats

3. Communication Devices

There are assistive device solutions to potential communication difficulties an older person may encounter, such as hearing or speech impairments.

Examples of elderly assistive devices for communication include the following:

• Amplified telephones with louder ringtones
• Adapted telephones, with larger buttons
• Hands-free headsets
• A bigger TV screen
• Hearing aids such as a telecaption decoder for a TV set
• Speech-generating devices for those with speech impairments/limitations.
• Assistive technology like speech-to-text apps
• Locator buttons for cordless telephones, for example, to find a misplaced handset
• Emergency buttons on mobile phones for assistance or emergency
• Picture cards for elderly persons with verbal challenges

Communication aids are important to enable the elderly persons to communicate effectively, enjoy programs and stay connected with loved ones or caregivers.

4. Remote Caregiving Systems

Remote caregiving systems for older adults use technology to facilitate seniors' safety and well-being through enhanced safety, emergency response, monitoring, and more.

An example of a remote caregiving system is JubileeTV, which turns any TV set into an interactive remote caregiving platform, making caring for loved ones easier, even from a distance.

JubileeTV is a TV-based remote caregiving system. It offers easy video calling for seniors, and gives families tools like remote TV control, setting medication reminders, and a TV activity feed that monitors TV routines for added visibility.

The platform can even turn the TV on automatically for video calls and important messages.

JubileeTV turns your seniors' TV into a source of joy. Its simplified interface plus voice control allows seniors to easily find their favorite shows, connect easily with loved ones through video calls, and view photos.

There is a JubileeTV App that allows families to connect directly to the TV and establish a face-to-face connection with their elderly loved one for a quick check-in or a longer chat.

With The App, family members can remotely change channels, put on streaming shows, adjust volume, send photos, and messages that appear on the senior's TV screen. The App is available on Android, IOS, and the Web.

5. Medication Management Devices

Managing multiple medications can be challenging for seniors, increasing the risk of medication errors and adverse effects. For older adults who regularly take medications or those with medical conditions, medical management devices are essential equipment.

Medication management devices or telecare systems like pill reminders/organizers, automatic dispensers, medication reminders, blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, and heart rate monitors help seniors stay organized and adhere to their medication schedules.

They help in improved medication adherence, early detection of health issues, better management of chronic conditions, and greater independence in managing one's health.

The important thing is for the seniors to stay safe and have quality life through medication management even when a caregiver is not close to monitor them.

6. Home Automation Systems

Home automation systems for the elderly encompass smart technologies like thermostats, lighting, locks, and voice-activated assistants, offering comfort, safety, and convenience.

These assistive technology tools allow for remote control and automation of home settings, such as adjusting temperature and lighting or managing security features like door locks and cameras. Some home automation systems are equipped with voice-controlled assistants and smart devices to make daily tasks more accessible for seniors.

By integrating with medical alert systems and wearables, they also facilitate easy home activities, health monitoring, and emergency response for the safety of the older adult, energy efficiency, and independence.

7. Wearable Health Monitoring Devices

Wearable health monitoring devices are assistive technology gadgets worn on the body to track various health metrics and activities.

Wearable health monitoring gadgets and care applications such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, continuous glucose monitors, and ECG monitors enable tracking of senior citizens' vital signs, activity levels, calories burned, and sleep patterns.

They can also provide alerts for abnormal health events, reminders for medication intake, and insights into overall health and fitness levels. Caregivers can get an alarm when something is wrong.

Wearable health monitoring devices can empower individuals to live more independently and enjoy a higher quality of life. This technology offers support and peace of mind for people of all ages, and their loved ones. They can also give caregivers and health practitioners valuable insights into seniors' health and facilitate early detection of potential health issues.

8. Adaptive Furniture

Comfort and mobility aids within the house, such as adaptive furniture solutions, can promote proper posture, reduce strain, and enhance overall well-being for people of all ages.

Adaptive furniture for the elderly includes specialized home furniture designed to address these unique needs of seniors. Examples include lift chairs, adjustable beds, shower chairs, support rails mattresses, grab bars, lifting cushions, and more.

These furnishings promote comfort, accessibility, and safety for activities like sitting, sleeping, bathing, and moving around the home.

For those with injuries or long-term disabilities, assistive furniture can make all the difference. They enhance quality of life, promoting autonomy, and dignity while addressing the challenges of aging.

9. Cognitive Assistive Tools

A memory, visual or hearing impairment should not limit an elderly person from having a full, robust life. Cognitive assistive tools offer valuable support for individuals seeking to maintain or improve their cognitive function.

Cognitive assistive tools are devices and software designed to support individuals with cognitive impairments in various daily activities.

Examples include visual aids (like readers), memory aids (like pill reminders), electronic organizers, voice-controlled assistants, picture-based communication aids, and GPS trackers.

These tools help individuals remember appointments, tasks, and important information, facilitate communication, enhance safety when navigating unfamiliar environments, and promote independence.

By supporting cognitive function, these tools can enhance quality of life for individuals. This may lead to greater participation in daily activities, increased confidence, and a stronger sense of autonomy.

10. Leisure and Recreation Aids

Leisure and recreation aids for the elderly encompass a range of products and adaptations designed to enable individuals, particularly those with disabilities.

They provide seniors with opportunities for entertainment and mental stimulation, such as social interaction and physical fitness, ultimately fostering personal fulfillment and a sense of belonging and empowerment.

Examples include adaptive sports equipment, gardening tools, accessible reading materials, gaming devices, large-print books, audiobooks, and adaptive gaming consoles, and inclusive travel services.

These leisure and recreation aids facilitate social inclusion, physical and mental well-being, independence, social engagement and personal development that provide leisure and recreation opportunities for the elderly.

Benefits of Adaptive Equipment

Adaptive equipment can empower individuals to live fuller, safer, and more comfortable lives by increasing their independence and participation in daily activities.

Their key benefits include the following:

Enhanced Independence and Autonomy

Adaptive equipment enables seniors to perform daily tasks and activities independently, fostering a sense of independence, autonomy, and self-confidence. The ability to do things for themselves gives seniors a sense of life and happiness, improving their well-being.

Improved Safety and Convenience

The goal of adaptive equipment is to provide safety and convenience to the elderly in their daily lives.

By addressing mobility and safety concerns, as well as vision or hearing limitations, assistive devices reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. They promote a safer living environment for seniors while giving them convenience in daily living and improving their quality of life.

Peace of Mind for Caregiver

Knowing your elderly loved one is safe, sound, and in good health at any moment and from anywhere gives you peace of mind. That's what elderly assistive devices provide.

For example, remote caregiving systems and medication management devices provide caregivers with valuable insights and assistance, easing caregiving responsibilities and ensuring seniors' well-being.

Conclusion

Adaptive equipment for the elderly plays a vital role in promoting safety, mobility, and independence. By investing in the right assistive devices for seniors, caregivers can help them enjoy a higher quality of life and greater independence while aging in place.

Assistive technology can support a person's goal of living independently in their own home by providing tools that increase safety, comfort, and the ability to perform daily tasks.

The right assistive device can improve quality of life for people of all ages by promoting safety, independence, and a greater sense of well-being. This can help them stay engaged and in control of their daily lives.

If you need somewhere to start, JubileeTV is a great place with the right tools and features to help care for your loved one.