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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"

 

toenail clippers

 

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"

 

Passavant Circle members are evaluating a new TV Soundbox

 

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"

 

 

Elders Want Gadgets that are Fun and not Just Useful

An engineer in the group who enjoys making things bewailed the fact that many tools may be helpful but not many are fun. This prompted a lively discussion about gadgets that are fun to use.

Virtual Reality technology was a favorite. You can use it to take trips to exotic or interesting...

Listen to: "Elders Want Gadgets that are Fun and not Just Useful"

 

 

Jar openers @ Pleasanton

Opening jars requires strength. Other than a husband, or smashing it on the front sidewalk, is there a recommendation for a good jar opener?

There are multiple causes to difficulty opening jars, and there are different openers which work best for each cause.

On the Longevity...

Listen to: "Jar openers @ Pleasanton"

 

 

Explorers Call Out Bad Packaging and Product Design

Explorer Shirley asks why manufacturers package their products in vessels that are not designed to be friendly to older hands.

Listen to: "Explorers Call Out Bad Packaging and Product Design"

 

bad design

 

Longevity Explorer: Where I Find Quirky Inventions

Explorer Lynn shares her interest in a website called Quirky.

Listen to: "Longevity Explorer: Where I Find Quirky Inventions"

 

quirky

 

A Good Chair vs a Bad Chair

Explorer Don reports his findings on what distinguishes a good (comfortable) chair from a bad (uncomfortable) chair.

Listen to: "A Good Chair vs a Bad Chair"

 

chairs

 

Demo: Handy Folding Cart with Wheels

Explorer Shirley tells the group about her folding cart's usefulness and efficiency of storage.

Listen to: "Demo: Handy Folding Cart with Wheels"

 

folding cart

 

Lightbulb Replacement: Look for the Lumens

Explorer Marilyn reports that when her 100 watt closet bulb burned out, someone replaced it with one of 60 watts - inadequate for her purposes.

Listen to: "Lightbulb Replacement: Look for the Lumens "

 

light bulb

 

Nail Grinder: Thumbs Down

Explorer Marilyn introduces a cordless device intended to trim toenails or fingernails. She says it is flawed and explains.

Listen to: "Nail Grinder: Thumbs Down"

 

toenail grinder

 

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