Everyday Objects that Improve Life

Improving the design of everyday objects like jar openers, nail clippers, and other household appliances and gadgets can greatly improve the quality of life of older adults as they develop conditions like arthritis, tremors, or other physical and mental limitations that come with age.

Together with our Longevity Explorers, we are evaluating products in this "everyday object" category, and sharing what we learn.

Featured Content: Everyday Objects that Improve Life

swivel car seat for elderly, car handle for elderly

Getting In and Out of Cars: Gadgets that Help

Our explorers have been trying out various gadgets that let them get in and out of cars more easily. We have explored a swivel car seat and a sort of extra "car handle for the elderly", known as either a Car Cane or a Handybar.

Read: "Getting In and Out of Cars: Gadgets that Help"

Jar openers for seniors, and for arthritis

Best Jar Opener for Older Adults

Our explorer circles of older adults evaluated a range of jar openers, and found big differences between them. If you need a jar opener to help open jars for whatever reason, this synthesis will tell you which ones our Longevity Explorers liked and why they liked them.

Read: "Best Jar Opener for Older Adults"

Cane with light: Older adult explorers testing lighted canes

Best Lighted Cane

Our Explorer circles of older adults wanted a walking cane with a light that would help make getting out at night safer. The Explorers found some promising lighted canes online, purchased a few that looked especially good, tried them out, and decided on one which was "the best".

Read: "Best Lighted Cane"

Toenail Clippers for Elderly People

Our circles of older adults have been exploring toenail clippers for elderly people. They explain that older adults often have nails that are hard to cut or hard to reach. The explorers are especially interested in toenail clippers for thick toenails, and toenail clippers that will work when a person has arthritis, and thus can not exert a strong grip on the nail clipper.

Read: "Toenail Clippers for Elderly People"

Seminar Series: Technologies for Aging in Place

Wondering which products and services can help an older adult live independently, with autonomy, as long as possible? Sign up for this seminar series to learn the answers.

Together with a community of older adults called the Longevity Explorers, Tech-enhanced Life has spent the last 8 years exploring the intersection of aging and technology, and evaluating a wide range of products and services designed to help people live independently for as long as possible. In this seminar series, we synthesize what we have learned.

Read: "Seminar Series: Technologies for Aging in Place"

Active Aging: Rethinking the Use of Everyday Objects

As our bodies change with age, we are often advised by well-meaning health providers, family and friends to relinquish the activities we value and that give our lives meaning. We prefer the process of rethinking and repurposing everyday, affordable objects — so we can keep doing the "things we love".

We discuss and provide examples of how to rethink outdoor activities such as gardening, animal care, and even simple farming. The principles can be adapted to many other hobbies and interests you may.......

Read: "Active Aging: Rethinking the Use of Everyday Objects "

Joe Maxwell's Universal Design Kitchen

This article describes a piece of universal design (a kitchen) from 83 yr old designer Joe Maxwell. When you read about Joe's kitchen design below from the 1950's you can't help wondering why we don't see more Universal Design in mainstream products.

Read: "Joe Maxwell's Universal Design Kitchen"

Older Adult Perspectives — Longevity Explorers Discuss:

Everyday Appliances, Tools, & Devices

Topic(s):

Lifestyle

Thing(s):

Everyday Objects

Key words:

Last Updated: April 19, 2020.

Everyday Objects that Improve Life

Featured Content: Everyday Objects that Improve Life