Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Assistive Devices

As people age, the simple task of dressing and undressing can become unduly difficult. The inability to get dressed can even keep people from doing the activities they love.

Adaptive clothing can remove barriers by making dressing easier, prolonging independence and activity.

Few people would say that the aging process is easy, but there are ways to help make things easier. Many seniors struggle with mobility issues that can interfere with routine daily activities and lead to declines in independence and quality of life. Assistive devices offer a valuable "helping hand" not only for aging seniors but also for their caregivers. To help in caring for a senior at home, we look at how assistive devices can improve mobility, as well as communication, care and hygiene, and dexterity.

Have you ever seen a caregiver effortlessly transfer someone to or from a wheelchair? While it may seem like they just have the magic touch or some sort of superpower, it's more likely that they've simply learned the techniques that make safe wheelchair transfer a routine task.

Anyone can learn these techniques. Just read below and watch the accompanying videos for basic information and pro-tips on how to safely transfer someone to and from a wheelchair. 

The internet of things (IoT) era promises big things for the healthcare sector. But are patients and caregivers prepared to harness its full potential—both to improve the quality of care and lighten the caregiver burden? The Deloitte 2016 Survey of Health Care Consumers took a closer look at this issue, and the findings are promising: “Patients of all demographics—even seniors—are at least amenable to technology-enabled care.” Wondering what the IoT means for you as a caregiver? Here’s what you need to know.

Many conversations about aging often involve the topic of quality of life for seniors. However, a recent Forbes article highlights a flaw in the use of “quality of life” as a blanket term: Not only is it subjective, but it’s also inherently dynamic. Given the ambiguity surrounding the oft-used phrase and its meaning, it follows that there’s often confusion regarding how best to support quality of life for elderly people. 

A hospital stay due to illness or injury is cause for worry and stress for caregivers of older adults. But what about when your loved one is released to return home? Becoming the caregiver of aN aging loved one after a hospital stay comes with its own unique challenges. How do you ensure your loved one stays healthy? What do you do if you need to work? Are you the best person for this job? 

How much care your loved one needs depends on his or her condition, but there are a few actions you should take to make certain your loved one — as well as everyone else in your household — is comfortable, happy, and healthy.

Approximately 300,000 Americans break a hip every year. Many of them are seniors. Unfortunately, hip fractures can be much more detrimental for seniors than for the rest of the population.  Here’s a closer look at the issue, along with caregiver tips aimed at keeping seniors safe.

The desire to age in place is common among older adults today. Essential to helping them achieve this goal?  The ability to attend to the activities of daily living, AKA the “ADLs.”  Here’s a closer look at why the ADLs matter, along with how adaptive equipment can play in supporting mobility and independence in seniors.

Erin Wilson is a Special Needs Mom whose son was lost in the past without the ability to ask for help or provide personal information on his own. Her solution was to create a non-profit, If I Need Help, offering a wearable iD and a special needs registry. Learn how this wearable iD is different from those you have seen before. 

A third of all older adults fall every year, but less than half of seniors discuss fall-related concerns with healthcare providers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is particularly troubling considering that falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries in seniors. Read on to learn more about falls and older adults, along with preventative measures caregivers can take to ensure the ongoing health and safety of the seniors in their care.

A Closer Look at Falls and Seniors

Millions of older Americans fall every year. Just how severe is the problem? The CDC determined that in 2013 alone, U.S. emergency rooms treated 2.5 million nonfatal senior falls resulting in 734,000 hospitalizations. Common fall-related injuries include lacerations, hip fractures and head traumas. Unfortunately, these injuries can not only detrimentally impact your aging loved one's mobility and independence, but can also increase the risk of premature death.

In addition to injuries from falls, seniors also suffer from another troubling phenomenon: fear of falling. Even seniors who survive falls with no injury can develop a fear of falling, leading to limited activities and loss of strength and flexibility. Unfortunately, this becomes a vicious cycle: the corresponding decrease in physical fitness may actually increase the risk of actual falls.