Recent Technology Gadgets Provide Quality Aids for Senior Citizens

Senior citizens are faced with declining physical attributes and as the baby boomer population gets older, many companies are studying the problem and coming up with technology gadgets that make life easier to navigate. Most of the studies address common problems seniors have and provide solutions that are easy for the senior citizen to use.

Technology Studies and Gadgets Planned for Senior Citizen Memory Loss and Alzheimer's

Memory loss for seniors can leave them wondering where they are, what they are supposed to do, who they are talking to no matter the severity. My husband uses a 4x2 notebook he carries in his pocket with a list of items to buy, which stores he's planning to visit and a map to how to find the place. IBM is working on a cell phone or personal assistant sized product that supports many of these features but also includes photographs of people along with context sensitive information that lets the user understand the information they can't recall[1].

Recent studies of Alzheimer's has identified two things that help reduce or prevent the damage caused by Alzheimers including cell phone wave exposure[2] and a chemical compound[3] that might lead to a drug treatment.

A Technology Gadget Solution for Hearing Loss in Senior Citizens

From visits with my in-laws I've found just how hearing loss reduces the quality of life for senior citizens by limiting conversation and enjoyment of such things as television, radio, symphony, and sermons. Senior citizens with hearing loss may find that their inner ear has degraded to the point that a traditional hearing aid won't work. The solutions has been found using a hearing aid that is installed into the users bones.[4]

A quick for those that need to keep their appointments is a vibrating watch. The Independent Living web page offers many selections ranging from $40-$160. My pick would be the VibraLite3 which has several alarms but also vibrates on the hour, but the biggest difference appears to be style.

Independent Living Vibrating Watches

Seniors Find Technology Gadgets that Digital Monitor High and Low Blood Pressure Easier to Use

Less expensive solutions are found to the problem of monitoring blood pressure. Digital blood pressure monitors are sold at a variety of locations from $30 and up.

WifeSource UB521-PD Digital Blood Pressure at Walgreens costs $44.95, can be worn on the wrist, has professional digital readout and detects irregular heartbeats.

Omron Deluxe Blood Pressure Monitor at Amazon costs $43.69, inflates on arms 9-13 inches and has a large digital readout.

Seniors with Diabetes Travel Easier with Diabetic Technology Gadgets

As many seniors get older, diabetes may set in. When I met my parents in North Dakota at the emergency hospital and my dad needed his diabetes medication, I was somewhat surprised to find it scattered in the back seat. A cool technology gadget for seniors with diabetes keeps the medication cooled and organized for use. This makes travel much easier to do.

DiMedicool Diabetes Cooler Organizer Wallet with Pen at Amazon costs $$31.45, has an insulated area for the cold packs that can be purchased for $3.95, and can carry two insulin pens and 4 insulin vials.

Technology Gadget Solutions for Senior Citizens with Limited Vision

My in-laws have a terrible time with menus at restaurants, so the solution we find is to read them the menu. Traditional magnifying lenses can be unsteady and incapable of dealing with oddly shaped reading materials. Video technology gadgets that bend and fold can provide the answer; but are rather pricey.

Freedom Scientific Sapphire Portable Magnifier is battery powered, will magnify text from 3-16 times larger, has a 7 inch screen adjustable for odd shapes like pill bottles, a stand for viewing your own writing, a freeze frame capability to reduce shakiness, reduces glare, has the ability to alter background and text color and will connect to your PC or TV, cost $1200.

These EZKey Labels found at Independent Living may help many seniors work with a keyboard by providing stickers to go put on keys with larger more readable fonts.

Technology Gadgets for Senior Citizens that Require Wheelchairs

Surprisingly, not all buildings are wheelchair accessible. Care takers of senior citizens that require wheelchairs may find a telescoping wheelchair ramp and easy solution to stairs especially when the alternative is to carrying the senior citizen up the stairs, then move the wheelchair.

Independent Living Telescoping Wheelchair Ramps cost $150, weighs 6lbs per ramp and will carry up to 660lbs, the telescoping feature allows them to be used from 3-5 feet. Made of aluminum with non-skid ramp covering.

Technology Gadgets for Senior Citizens Living at Home

Emergency pendants are available for senior citizens from many providers, but a recent improvement allows two way conversation between the senior citizen and the person on the other end. Seniors that have fallen or who have limited eye sight may find using a cell phone difficult to use. This pendant will call a preset group of people until someone answers, including 9-11 service.

Freedom Alert Two-Way Emergency Pendant allows 4 preprogrammed dialing contacts plus 9-11, can be worn on belt, wrist or around neck, has a 600 foot range, is water resistant, and costs $300.

[1] IBM, "IBM Research Technology to Aid Human Memory", physorg.com, July 29, 2008, http://www.physorg.com/news136565848.html

[2] Jeremy Hsu, "Cell Phone Radation Reverses Alzehimer's and Boosts Memory in Mice", Popular Science, January 6,2010, http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-01/cell-phone-exposure-reverses-alzheimers-and-boosts-memory-mice

[3] Clay Dillow, "New Brain-Protecting Compound Works in Rats; Could Make Alzheimer's a Distant Memory", Popular Science, July 9, 2010, https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-07/new-compound-could-make-alzheimers-distant-memory?page=

[4] Elizabeth Svoboda, "Invention Awards: Hearing Aid Conducts Sound through Your Bones", Popular Science, May 21, 2010, http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2010-05/invention-awards-hearing-aid-conducts-sound-through-your-bone