Gadgets and widgets (p4):
Research, explorations, discussions, and products and resources relating to Gadgets and widgets: from Tech-enhanced Life.
Electronic gadgets, such as wearables and TV remotes, and mechanical widgets such as jar openers and grabbers.
For Older Adults, their Families, and Caregivers
— and for Companies Creating Innovations Related to Aging.
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Analysis & Exploration | Explorer Discussions | Resources and Products shared by our Explorers.
Featured Guides & Reports: Gadgets and widgets
Medical Alert Systems: Help!
We kept getting asked "which medical alert system is best?"; and "how do I choose the right medical alert system for me?". This independent, objective, hands-on research tries to answer those questions. If you are looking for a medical alert system, either for yourself or for an older adult such as a parent, this piece of research is for you.
Artificial Intelligence and Robots: What Older Adults Want
While there has been lots written by academics, companies, and futurists about the potential of robots and AI in aged care, the voice of the older adult is generally absent from these discussions. Here are the opinions of the Longevity Explorers as to problems they wish a robot, smarthome, or Artifical Intelligence could solve for them.
Amazon Echo and Alexa for the Elderly
The older adults in our explorer groups have recently become interested in a relatively new product: the Amazon Echo and its artificial intelligence Alexa. Here are their thoughts on topics like: do we want one; why would we want one; what do we use it for; and wouldn't it be great if it could also do ...".
Older Adult Perspectives on Managing Medications
Learn what older adults themselves think about the challenges of medication management. Listen to discussions about the things our explorers care about; how they approach managing their medications; which products they prefer (the best pill organizers, and most successful pill reminder techniques); and what problems they face.
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.
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.
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.
Spends too Much Time on the Couch
If you are looking for a way to help grandpa in remembering to get up and stretch, I have a solution for you. In fact, I’m guilty of spending most of my day on the couch and use this solution to remind me to get up and stretch at least once an hour. I’ve been using this for about a year now and... .........Read more
Ideas for Music Source for Memory Care Person
Thanks always for the newsletter which I find very interesting.
My husband now lives at the Memory care unit at the CCRC where I live. He loves classic music but that’s one kind of music they do not play in that section of the CCRC.
My hope is to provide the classic music in his... ....... Read more
My Mild Hearing Loss and Air Pods Pro
This is about my experience with different types of earbuds, especially Apple earbuds. In particular, it is about a discovery I made that let me use the AirPods to compensate for my mild hearing loss.
If you like listening to music or podcasts, or regularly talk on your smartphone, you... ....... Read more
Fridge for Forgetful Senior
We have several problems relating to a fridge and a forgetful senior who lives alone. We worry that she will leave the fridge open by mistake and that the food will spoil and make her sick. We worry that she forgets to throw out food as it gets old, and that the food in her fridge includes food... .........Read more
Forget to Turn Water Off
As people grow older they often become somewhat forgetful. We start to worry about questions like "Did I leave the water running?" How do we make it so these sorts of questions are not things that we need to worry about? .........Read more
Hearing Loss and Loud TV: Explorer Report
Problem: My wife has lost some of her hearing and she turns up the TV volume loud to hear.
Solution: We bought a BeHear Proxy Neck Speaker and a HearLink Plus in a bundle.
Here is my report of our experience with... ....... Read more
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Joy for All Walker Squawker
Walker Squawker from Joy for All is an animatronic bird intended for companionship and to assist the user in remembering to use their walker.
Dose Health
Dose Health offers the Dose Flip medication management device that is intended to help organize and dispense medicine with reminders and optional alerts to designated others by text or call if a dose is missed.
BurnerAlert
BurnerAlert is a safety device that is attached under the control knobs of many gas or electric stoves and is designed to prevent leaving the stove on for longer than intended by emitting alerts.
Kuhn Rikon Jar Opener
This product was one of the top performing jar openers in the Longevity Explorer jar open explorations. It helps with grip and leverage.
CookStop
CookStop is a safety device intended to prevent unattended stovetop fires on electric ranges..
Talking Bible
The Talking Bible is a battery powered digital player using an MP3 file and is intended for use by low vision persons as well as people of all ages who enjoy hearing the Bible being read aloud.
Yo Link Smart Home Products
Yo Link smart water leak sensors are intended to detect the presence or absence of water in the area where they are installed.
VoiceBooster Voice Amplifier
VoiceBooster is a small portable amplifier with a microphone and charger.
FireAvert - Stove Automatic Shut-Off
FireAvert is a device intended to protect the user from dangerous stove fires by turning off power (or gas) to the sstove when it hears a smoke alarm.
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