4 Simple Things Seniors Can Do To Make Daily Living Easier

By Staff Writer | July 25, 2024

As we get older, we often find that some of the daily tasks we’ve done for decades have become more challenging than they once were. Whether from arthritis, changes in vision or other ailments, many seniors face increased difficulty in daily living. Here are a few things that can help make life easier and more manageable for seniors.

Adaptive Clothing

The daily task of dressing can become more difficult, or even painful, as we age due to arthritis and limited dexterity. Adaptive clothing can help and there’s a lot to choose from to fit the needs and preferences of any individual. Clothing with front closures, elastic waists, velcro closures and magnetic fasteners are all examples of adaptive clothing that can make dressing more comfortable by way of eliminating the need for buttons and back zippers, which can be trickier to navigate as we get older. Seniors can also look into a handheld device called a “button hook”, which makes fastening buttons easier.

Adaptive footwear is also available, and the many different styles have features like wider openings and elastic laces in addition to extra support and stability.

Home Adaptive Devices

Lift Chairs
A lift chair is an adaptive chair that is powered to mechanically help its user sit down and stand up from a seated position safely and gently. It can provide relief for seniors with painful joints and physical ailments that affect mobility.
Tub Benches and Shower Chairs
These assistive devices can make bathing and showering more comfortable and minimize falls. A tub bench allows you to sit and swing your legs over the tub’s edge rather than stepping in and out from a standing position. A waterproof shower chair provides added comfort, allowing the user to shower from a sitting position.
Adaptive Kitchen Equipment
For seniors with low vision, there are many assistive kitchen gadgets available to help. Talking food scales and automatic, self-measuring spice dispensers can make preparing meals more manageable. For seniors with tremors from conditions like Parkinson’s disease, self-stabilizing utensils can make eating easier. And for seniors needing assistance with grip strength, there are gripper tools available that provide a strong and stable grip on objects such as jars and containers and assist with opening them easily.

Adaptive Housekeeping Solutions

When it comes to cleaning house as we age, there are options available to help us “work smarter, not harder”. Lightweight vacuum cleaners make cleaning the floors easier on the body. Long-handled dusters allow you to de-dust without reaching or climbing. Rolling cleaning carts keep supplies within arm’s reach. And for seniors with dishwashers handy, they can provide an easy way to clean much more than just dishes – vents, screens, knobs and more, eliminating the need for cleaning many objects by hand, and freeing up extra time and energy.

Exercise Hacks for Seniors

The benefits of regular exercise are virtually endless. Age related changes in the body are a natural, expected part of aging, but staying active can help prevent many diseases that affect seniors and it’s great for mental health as well.

While some seniors might prefer a regimented exercise routine, the easiest way to exercise is just to move – regularly and while doing what you love. Exercise in the form of natural movement and activity is a great way to stay healthy at any age, but it can be a particularly beneficial method for seniors, eliminating the need for special equipment and form-based movement.

Gardening, swimming, dancing, walking – whatever you enjoy, it’s great way to stay healthy, active, and enjoy the physical and mental benefits that regular exercise brings.

While it’s a fact of life that some things can get a bit more difficult as we age, it can get a little easier, too. With advancements in technology come more and more problems solved, “life hacks” shared, and quality of life improved. A little help can make a big difference.