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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

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""

 

TV ears evaluated by Passavant Longevity Explorers

 

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"

 

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 "

 

Toenail Clippers for Older Adults

 

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"

 

 

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

 

Older Feet Often Need Different Shoes

SF Explorers' experiences with shoes reflect their accommodations to the changing needs of older feet.

Listen to: "Older Feet Often Need Different Shoes "

 

Older Feet Often Need Different Shoes

 

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"

 

 

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"

 

 

"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"

 

 

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?"

 

 

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"

 

 

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"

 

 

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

 

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

 

Shirley Cites Packaging Conundrums

Explorer Shirley points out that the instructions to use a set of hangers are printed on the back of the package, which must be torn off to open and remove the hangers.

Listen to: "Shirley Cites Packaging Conundrums"

 

Packaging Opener

 

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, package opener

 

I Want More Public Seating Suitable for Older Adults

SF Explorer Shirley decries the paucity of public seating designed to accommodate the special needs of older adults.

Listen to: "I Want More Public Seating Suitable for Older Adults"

 

public seating

 

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"

 

jar opener prototype

 

I Love My Raised Garden for Ease of Access

Explorer Marty tells the group that having plants in easy reach makes it possible for her to continue gardening.

Listen to: "I Love My Raised Garden for Ease of Access"

 

raised garden

 

Package Openers @ Avenidas

The Longevity Explorers @ Avenidas discuss package openers.

 

Listen to: "Package Openers @ Avenidas"

 

 

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"

 

lighted cane

 

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"

 

Jar Opener

 

Jar Openers Demo @ Pleasanton

A favorite jar opener was demonstrated with a spaghetti sauce jar and a pickle jar. Also a method for opening plastic water bottles (teeth, not recommended) was discussed. It is helpful to first break the seal with a church key. What’s a church key?

Listen to: "Jar Openers Demo @ Pleasanton"

 

 

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