Happily, the days of putting mom or dad “in a home” are long gone.
Modern senior living in active elder communities and senior apartments is so appealing it would make any child want to move right in too. Amenities galore, fun and engaging community programs and friendly neighbors make for a wonderful residential experience in your golden years.
To make moving into a new senior apartment safer and more convenient, there are a slew of items for you and your loved ones to stock up on. And you don’t even have to wait for Mother’s Day!
Bathroom safety
- Shower grab bar: They prevent slips and can be easily mounted with just suction cups
- Shower mat: Not just for seniors, everyone should have one to avoid head injuries or worse
- Portable shower seat: Have a seat in the shower for those for whom standing is hard
- Raised toilet seat: Makes getting up and down from the pot safer and easier
- Pill organizer: Set out a week’s worth of pills organized by day, no thought, no mess, no confusion
- Prescription delivery: Or better yet, subscription services like PillPack will organize and deliver your meds for you, conveniently pre-packaged by day and time ready for you to open and go
Living room convenience
- Rubber carpet pads: Because slips and falls don’t just happen in the bathroom, secure rugs too
- Furniture leg pads: Pads will keep chairs in rooms with flooring from slipping and moving while getting up or when used as balance to sit
- Remote TV speaker: A simple, portable Bluetooth speaker brings the sound right to you instead of having to crank the volume, which your neighbors will also appreciate
- Large button TV remote: Oversized buttons make it easier to change channels and adjust the volume
- Large button landline phone: Some models even allow you to replace buttons with pictures of family and friends so you always know who you’re dialing, and others have amplified speakers so you never miss a call
- Key turner: An attachment to the base of the key gives more surface area and more leverage to turn and unlock the door
- Flashing doorbell and telephone signal: For those with hearing difficulties, this indicator flashes when the phone or doorbell ring
In the kitchen
- Reacher arm: Stretching up to six feet, a plastic arm extension will grab anything from cans to Tupperware from high shelves with a squeeze of the trigger
- Automatic jar opener: Just place the opener on top of the jar, press the button and the opener will turn and loosen the lid for you, posthaste
- Ergonomic utensils and non-skid dinnerware: Make it easier to cook, eat and serve with items that are easy on arthritic wrists and won’t slide off the counter
- Electric kettle: Even the spryest of us can be forgetful, so an electric teapot that automatically shuts off when the water boils (and doesn’t sit on the stovetop) is critical
- Grocery delivery: Never worry about schlepping to the supermarket by utilizing grocery delivery services like Instacart, AmazonFresh, FreshDirect, Blue Apron or your favorite grocery chain to stock up
Lighting the way
- Flashlight: An ergonomic or flat flashlight with a magnet that lets you stick it right to the fridge is perfect for everything from power outages to reading recipes
- Three-way bulbs: Light sensitivity and low vision are common as you age, so be sure to use 3-way lightbulbs in lamps so brightness can be easily adjusted
- Stickup closet lights: With a few AA batteries and a push of your hand, you can light up a closet with no outlet making finding anything easy
- Nightlights: Never worry about wandering around in the dark with nightlights in the bathroom, hallways and the kitchen that only activate at night
Don’t be afraid of technology
- Robot vacuum cleaner: An automated vacuum system like Roomba or Dyson Eye is perfect for a senior apartment, especially if there’s a pet at home, so no one has to lug out the upright vacuum
- Smart thermostat: A no-fuss smart thermostat like Nest will keep the temperature just right and reduce electric bills
- Smart smoke detector: The next generation of smoke, CO₂ and radon detectors like Nest Protect can not only alert a smartphone, they know the difference between burned popcorn, steam and a major problem
- Virtual assistant: A device such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home is a great addition to any senior living space because all you have to do is use your voice to play music, get the news and weather, make a to-do list or query the internet
- Medical alarm: Life Alert commercials may look cheesy, but in an emergency like a fall or heart attack, it may be the most important item you give to your senior loved one
