Creative Aging: Coping Devices for Aging Losses

“For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible.” —IBM Training Manual

Photo by GN Group on Unsplash

In past columns we have looked at how to delay physical and cognitive losses, and there are many ways to do that. But in the end, some losses are likely, even though they can be postponed and slowed. When that happens, there are many devices which can help us continue with both the activities of daily living and the activities that bring us pleasure.

If our balance begins to weaken or our legs no longer function well, we can make use of walking aids. For starters we can make use of a cane. Consult with a physical therapist or other health care professional about the choice and use of a cane. Some studies indicate that 70 percent of cane users either have the wrong-length cane or fail to use it correctly. Also available are walking poles. Walking with a pair of these helps greatly with lateral stability. When more support is needed, a walker provides multiple points of support while walking and standing.

It can be difficult to accept the need for walking assistance, but the alternative is falling, which is dangerous. Falling is the leading injury-related cause of death in older adults.

Walking in our homes can also be made safer by lighting them well and removing area rugs and electric cords, which can be tripping hazards. Install night-lights so you can see the path from bed to bathroom.

Specialized handles can attach to your bed to make getting in and out of bed safer. (Guardrails can prevent you from rolling out and onto the floor.) Specialized handles are also available for getting in and out of cars. Another device can sit atop your toilet to raise the seat height. Some of these toilet devices even come with rails to help you push yourself up.

Bathing can be made safer by installing a walk-in shower, putting down a non-slip mat, and adding a safety rail. Some people also find that they are more secure seated in a shower chair and using a handheld showerhead.

If using our hands is difficult because of shakiness or arthritis, a glass with a straw or a cup with a lid and spout can make drinking easier. It is also possible to get mugs with two handles instead of one. Utensils are available with large, easy-to-hold handles, and some are even angled to make it easier to put the food into our mouths.

Buttonhooks and zipper pulls make fastening garments easier. Several sock-aid designs reduce the amount of bending necessary to put on socks. We can remove stubborn lids with a twist-off device. A reacher (a long pole with a grabber at one end) can help us pick up something that has fallen to the floor.

When small print becomes more difficult to read, and regular eyeglasses don’t do the trick, a lighted magnifying glass is useful for reading pill bottles, maps, and recipes. Large-print books are available from local libraries, and the size of print can be enlarged for any electronic book. We can also enlarge the print on our computer screens.

Hearing aids are the typical solution to hearing loss, but in addition it is possible to get telephones with higher-volume speakers. (Phones with over-sized push buttons are also available.) In many cases, hearing aids can receive the audio signal directly from the television and telephone through Bluetooth technology.

For cognitive and memory loss, one of the best tools is low tech and has been around for decades: a pencil. Making lists—shopping lists, to-do lists, names-of-acquaintances lists—can relieve us of the pressure of needing to remember. Setting a timer to ring when we need to leave for an appointment can also be helpful. And checking the calendar each morning to remind us of the schedule for the day can be useful as well. We can then set timers for reminders as needed. Pill dispensers with beepers can remind us to take medications as prescribed.

None of us needs all of these devices. But it is important to know that many devices are available. And they are easy to find online with a simple Google search.

The goal of all these devices is our safety, along with our independence. Both of these have very high value. Knowing about the available devices can help us stay safe and independent longer. That’s good news for all of us.

Adapted from Creative Aging by Carol Van Klompenburg, published 2023, available from Amazon and for Pella-area residents at Pella Books, the Curiosity Shop, or directly from Carol. Carol has an MA in theater arts and is available for reading performances of her writing on aging, moments in her gardens, memories, and other topics.