Dr. Trevor Chan

February is Senior’s Independence Month. Maintaining autonomy isn’t just about convenience; it’s about dignity, self-esteem, and overall well-being. When seniors can manage daily tasks on their own, they often feel more confident and have a greater sense of control over their lives. This leads to better moods  and engagement with family and friends.

There are tools that can help seniors with daily activities, items called Aids to Daily Living (ADLs). Here are a number of underutilized ADLs that would help seniors maintain their independence:

Around the House

As seniors age, just navigating the home can be increasingly difficult due to decreased dexterity, strength and vision. These help reduce the risk of falls and accidents. 

Doorknob extenders:

Often with arthritis or limited grip strength, doorknobs can be difficult. Doorknob extenders turn knobs into levers making it much easier to open for seniors.

Motion- Activated Lights:

Helps prevent falls. Seniors require 2-3x more light than a younger person to see clearly. Motion activated lights are ideal for hallways, bathrooms and bedrooms. 

Voice Activated Smart Plugs:

Do you remember watching TV ads for the smart clapper in the 80s? It was comical watching them struggle to keep the lights on in real life. Technology has significantly improved with new smart plugs. Voice activation through assistants like Alexa, Siri or Google give seniors better control of their fans, lights and appliances. Calling family for voice or video calls is also much easier.

Dressing and Bathing

The act of dressing and bathing can make seniors feel vulnerable. This is a reason they often resist home care. 

Button hooks: can be a game-changer for those with arthritis or limited dexterity.

Dressing sticks: These handy tools help with pulling on socks or reaching clothes.

Shower chairs: These provide a safe seating option while bathing.

Elevated toilet seats: Make sitting down and getting up much easier. 

Kitchen

Being able to cook is something many seniors enjoy and a big part of their day. Food is often a major touchstone in their identity and culture. 

Jar openers: reduce the strain on joints when opening stubborn lids

One Handed Cutting boards: has stabilizers to hold food in place to allow those with limited dexterity to cut independently. 

Adaptive utensils: can be ergonomically designed to help arthritic hands or weighted to assist people with tremors. 

These tools are not meant to be just ordered up and dropped on seniors. I often see well meaning family barrage in and tell a loved one that specific tools are needed in order to stay in their home. However that usually goes down about as well as cod liver oil. Remembering that goal is to maintain independence, involve the person in adopting these aids. Here are some key strategies to increase adoption of aids to daily living: 

Involvement in the Selection Process

Allow seniors to choose the tools they prefer by exploring options together. This fosters a sense of ownership and increases their willingness to use the devices. Emphasize how these tools enhance independence and safety, such as preventing falls or reducing physical strain.

Make it Normal

Connect them with others who already use similar devices. Peer testimonials inspire confidence and reduce stigma surrounding ADLs. Gradually incorporating tools and ensuring they are easily accessible when needed are critical in adoption into their daily routine. Don’t overwhelm them with too many changes at once. Making ADLs feel normal is a powerful tool in adoption.

Provide Hands-On Demonstrations

Demonstrate how to use ADLs in a practical, non-intimidating way. Practice together and encourage trial runs in a relaxed setting to build confidence. Follow up afterwards to ensure that the ADL is in good working order and troubleshoot early if they are having trouble. 

By introducing these simple yet effective aids to daily living, we can help them embrace their independence with confidence and joy. After all, every senior deserves to feel capable, respected, and supported as they navigate this chapter of life.