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Everyday Appliances, Tools, & Devices:  Older Adult Perspectives

The Impact Theme series: Longevity Explorers Discuss.

There are lots of things that fall into the category of "everyday objects". They are not sexy, and don't get the attention of pundits or fashionable startup companies, but can make a huge difference to the quality of everyday life.

A prefect example is the humble "jar opener".

Our Longevity Explorers like to find such everyday objects and share them with each other and with you. Listen to their discussions and "show and tell" sessions below.

 

 

Hear what Older Adults Think: Everyday Appliances, Tools, & Devices

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: "Fridge for Forgetful Senior"

 

Fridge for Forgetful Senior

 

Smart Home Share & Learn: SF Explorers

When asked which smart home devices they have, San Francisco Explorers answer with more than a few of their personal favorites. 

Listen to: "Smart Home Share & Learn: SF Explorers"

 

Smart Home Share & Learn: SF Explorers

 

Passavant explorers evaluate "TV Ears"

The Test Pilots/Passavant Community Longevity Explorers Circle evaluated the product "TV Ears" at their October 2019 meeting. Here are the results.

Listen to: "Passavant explorers evaluate "TV Ears""

 

Passavant explorers evaluate "TV Ears"

 

Explorers Conceptualize a Better Grabber

In this fun brainstorming session, explorers conceptualize in detail a more versatile 'reacher-grabber' tool than those which are currently available.

Listen to: "Explorers Conceptualize a Better Grabber"

 

Explorers Conceptualize a Better Grabber

 

Explorers' Field Report on Use of Toenail Clippers

Eskaton Village explorers took home an array of toenail clippers and returned with a report of their findings.

Listen to: "Explorers' Field Report on Use of Toenail Clippers "

 

Explorers' Field Report on Use of Toenail Clippers

 

Comparing Jar Openers @ EVC

The Eskaton Village Carmichael Longevity Explorer circle tried out a wide variety of jar openers, and then discussed the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Listen to: "Comparing Jar Openers @ EVC"

 

Comparing Jar Openers @ EVC

 

Best Toenail Clippers for Older Adults

Finding the right toenail clippers to work for an older adult has been a recurring discussion topic among circle members. We have narrowed down the array of possible nail clippers and tools to a short list that seem promising for hands-on evaluation. Please check them out and comment.

Listen to: "Best Toenail Clippers for Older Adults"

 

Best Toenail Clippers for Older Adults

 

CookStop Fire Prevention System @ Passavant

The Passavant Longevity Explorers evaluate a fire prevention system.

Listen to: "CookStop Fire Prevention System @ Passavant"

 

CookStop Fire Prevention System @ Passavant

 

Forgot to Turn Off the Iron, Hotplate, or Heater

Have you ever plugged in a device, turned it on and later forgot it was still plugged in? If this was a device that consumed a lot of energy such as a clothes iron, electric hotplate, coffee pot, tea kettle or a space heater you might have wasted some power or even have caused some damage.

Read: "Forgot to Turn Off the Iron, Hotplate, or Heater"

 

Forgot to Turn Off the Iron, Hotplate, or Heater

 

Parent Continually Fiddling with Thermostat

Is your loved one continually misadjusting their thermostat — potentially causing health and financial issues? I wanted a thermostat that would work for people with dementia or impaired vision, or who for other reasons have trouble managing their thermostat.

Read: "Parent Continually Fiddling with Thermostat"

 

Parent Continually Fiddling with Thermostat

 

Sleep: SF Explorers

The group responds to the question "What do you do or use to help you go to sleep at night?"

Listen to: "Sleep: SF Explorers"

 

Sleep: SF Explorers

 

Gadgets @ SRC Solve Problems of Aging

Saratoga Retirement Community Explorers recite a list of devices they use to get around the problems posed by age-related handicaps in everyday life. Rosalie leads off the discussion with a household item - dishwashing gloves - she wears when opening jars, but she is frustrated by the jar seals often encountered once the lid is off.

Listen to: "Gadgets @ SRC Solve Problems of Aging"

 

Gadgets @ SRC Solve Problems of Aging

 

Forgets to Wash Hands, Flush Toilet

My mother (with dementia) wakes up often in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and forgets to wash her hands/flush the toilet. She often forgets during the day as well.

Read: "Forgets to Wash Hands, Flush Toilet"

 

Forgets to Wash Hands, Flush Toilet

 

What Time Is It? Dementia Confusion

My Dad is now in a nursing home, and he can't tell the difference between 4 AM and 4 PM when looking at a clock. When he asks his Voice Assistant, and it says, "It's 4 AM", he thinks it said "4 PM," and he better get dressed for dinner!

Read: "What Time Is It? Dementia Confusion"

 

What Time Is It? Dementia Confusion

 

"Senior" Finds TV Hard to Use

As older adults develop physical and mental frailties, they sometimes have difficulty using products they want to be able to continue to use: such as the TV.

For example, physical impairments, like arthritis or tremor, may make it hard to press buttons. And cognitive impairments may make...

Read: ""Senior" Finds TV Hard to Use"

 

"Senior" Finds TV Hard to Use

 

Lost the TV Remote?

Who is not familar with this experience?

It's time to watch TV. Where did you put the remote control for the TV?

Read: "Lost the TV Remote?"

 

Lost the TV Remote?

 

Forgets to Put Toilet Seat Down

My brother-in-law forgets to put the toilet seat down causing my sister to almost fall in once during the night

Read: "Forgets to Put Toilet Seat Down"

 

Forgets to Put Toilet Seat Down

 

TV Always On in Background: Mind Numbing

If you have visited residents' rooms in a nursing home, you will notice that the resident's TV is always on, although the resident is not paying attention. It's mind numbing.

Read: "TV Always On in Background: Mind Numbing"

 

TV Always On in Background: Mind Numbing

 

Medicine Containers Challenge Older Hands

Explorer Diana tells the group about the difficulty she has opening a bottle of commercial pain relief pills.

Listen to: "Medicine Containers Challenge Older Hands"

 

Medicine Containers Challenge Older Hands

 

Serene Innovations TV Soundbox @ Passavant

The Test Pilots/Passavant Community Longevity Explorers Circle evaluated the product "TV Soundbox" at their January 2020 meeting. Here are the results.

Listen to: "Serene Innovations TV Soundbox @ Passavant"

 

Serene Innovations TV Soundbox @ Passavant

 

Open X

Explorer Jim introduces the group to a package opener that he finds very helpful for opening plastic or 'clamshell' packaging.

Listen to: "Open X"

 

Open X

 

Touchscreen Gloves

Explorer Lynn tells the group about gloves that need not be removed to operate the touchscreen of many electronic devices.

Listen to: "Touchscreen Gloves"

 

Touchscreen Gloves

 

Explorers Evaluate Jar Opener Prototype

Saratoga Retirement Village Explorers evaluate a newly invented model jar open

Listen to: "Explorers Evaluate Jar Opener Prototype"

 

Explorers Evaluate Jar Opener Prototype

 

Gadget Exploration, SF Q3 2018

Longevity Explorers in San Francisco discuss gadgets which they have brought to the meeting to share. Explorer AnnieScott seems agnostic at first about a lighted cane that she bought, and passes it around, also sharing a new white noise machine.

As the group explores the lighted cane,...

Listen to: "Gadget Exploration, SF Q3 2018"

 

Gadget Exploration, SF Q3 2018

 

Explorers Examine A New Jar Opener

Longevity Explorers discuss and explore a newly invented type of jar opener.

Listen to: "Explorers Examine A New Jar Opener"

 

Explorers Examine A New Jar Opener

 

Topic Hub

everyday objects: objects of daily living

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.

Read: "Everyday Objects that Improve Life"

 

 

About the Impact Theme Series

Our Longevity Explorers (hundreds of older adults with ages ranging from 60-95 years old) meet regularly to discuss topics at the intersection of aging and technology.

Among the many topics we discuss in these meetings, we have been exploring some specific themes which we think are going to be very important for older adults in the future, and which in our opinion are ripe for innovation. These make up our Impact Themes, and Everyday Appliances, Tools, & Devices is one of these themes.

In these discussions:

  • We share how we do things today;
  • We explore and critique existing products;
  • We talk about challenges we have that we wish products could solve; and
  • We dream up product concepts we wish someone like you would develop.

If you are developing products or services for older adults in the category of Everyday Appliances, Tools, & Devices, listen to the Longevity Explorer discussions on this page to get insights about how to develop better products and services for older adults.

More Explorer Discussions

 

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Topics (broader coverage of this theme): 
Dressing, Grooming, Cooking, Food, Helping elderly parents, Lifestyle, Using Technologies