Tools, Gadgets, and Appliances for Elderly People

Age shouldn’t mean that one must give up on the simple things in life. Tasks like cooking, going out, watching movies, reading, and taking care of the home are still important. They give people a sense of routine and purpose.

However, aging often comes with health problems, which can make many aspects of life more difficult. This can mean that elderly people need new techniques or products to make life easier. Choosing the right tools, gadgets, and appliances for elderly people can make a large difference to their safety and ability to care for themselves.

Why The Right Tools Matter

For example, if a senior loves cooking big family dinners and baking, then kitchen safety is a critical area to think about. Kitchen appliances and tools should be as safe as possible to minimize the risk of accidents. You can also look for products that are easy to use for people with a weak grip or pain in their hands. There are many such products to choose from.  

Similarly, items in the kitchen should be easy to find and reach. Having to stretch or climb onto something could easily lead to a fall.

There are products and appliances for elderly people in other parts of the house too, including home theater products, ironing boards, washers and dryers, and much more. These are all important, especially for seniors who plan to age at home.

Our Top Tools, Gadgets, and Appliances for Elderly People

In this list, we’re covering a variety of different types of products for seniors. Some were designed with older adults in mind, but many more weren’t.

Despite their differences, there are some common factors in the products that we’re featuring. They tend to be easy-to-use and often have extra safety features. Many help seniors to do their daily tasks in a safer way, which helps to keep them independent longer.

The items are helpful for caregivers and other family members too, as they provide peace of mind. You can rest easy knowing that your loved one is safe and are able to meet their needs.

Refrigerators 

Every house needs a fridge. You can’t easily get by without one, nor should you try.

While fridges all have the same general functions, some can be better choices than others. For seniors:

• Look for energy efficient fridges. These tend to use less power, which leads to lower electricity bills and allows seniors to stretch their money further.
• The fridge should be easy to organize with plenty of shelving. You can even buy additional trays or organizers for the fridge so the senior can easily see what is stored in there.
• The fridge should have an internal light that works well. This is particularly important, as eyesight can decrease with age and some seniors may struggle to see which items are which in the fridge. Good lighting can help with this.
• Make sure that the fridge door is easy to open and close – and that it doesn’t stick.
• Look at the handles. Long handles that stick out are the best, as these provide seniors plenty of area to grip onto. You can also find handle covers that make the fridge easier to use, like these.
• Choose a design where the fridge and freezer are both easy to access. Some seniors might not be able to bend down to reach the freezer at the bottom of a fridge-freezer combo, so another style might be needed.  

Stoves

Stoves are an important kitchen feature. Most people have used them for their entire life and mightn’t be willing to consider an alternative.

But, stoves can be dangerous too. It’s easy for loose clothing to catch on an element or for food to burn because it was forgotten.

As such, choosing the right stove can have a huge impact on the senior’s safety. The following areas are all important to consider:

Stove Height

Let’s talk about the height of your stove. This can have a huge impact on how easy it is to use.

A higher stove could be helpful for some seniors, as it means that they don’t need to bend over as far. On the other hand, if the elderly person is in a wheelchair or needs to sit down while they cook, a lower stovetop could be more helpful.

Accessibility

Think about accessibility too. If the cook is in a wheelchair, uses a walker, or simply needs to sit when they cook, a regular stovetop might not be safe or easy to use. Instead, you can find electric stoves with pull out tops and ones where there is space underneath (like in the image).

These styles allow the user to get close to the elements without straining themselves.

Cooktop

You could consider an induction cooktop. This style uses electromagnetic energy to cook your food. This makes the cooking faster and means there is no conventional element to worry about.

Induction cooktops can be safer than regular cooktops, as they only work when the right cookware is present. So, users can’t accidently leave a burner on and walk away.

Still, induction cooktops have disadvantages too. Some users are concerned about the potential for EMF radiation exposure. You’re limited in the cookware and utensils that you use too, which can be a little frustrating.

If induction doesn’t appeal to you, you might consider a non-induction ceramic cooktop. These use conventional heating approaches, but the element is under a flat surface, rather than being exposed. This reduces the risk of fire and burns.

Other Features

There are some other key features too:

• It should be easy to identify when elements are on or off.
• Automatic controls, alarms, and safety features can all reduce the risk of accidents.
• Look for ovens with a good safety history and reliable warranty.
• Buttons should be large and easy to use.
• The oven door should open and close without a problem. Look for doors that will stay open on their own. You don’t want the door to start closing when the senior is trying to get something heavy out of the oven.
• A timer can be helpful, reducing the risk that the senior will forget that they have food in the oven.

The oven should be intuitive, with features clearly labeled. Some products can be confusing, where it isn’t clear what different buttons and knobs do.

Microwaves

Microwaves make food easy to reheat and despite some myths, the food you cook or reheat in the microwave can still be healthy.

A microwave is also safer than an oven, as there are no exposed elements to worry about.

The main problem is if the senior microwaves something inappropriate (like a metal fork). However, microwaves are such a familiar appliance that most seniors will have no problems with using them safely. Just make sure there is a smoke alarm in the room so that any issues are quickly detected.

When choosing a microwave for seniors, look for ones that are easy to use. This includes making sure that:

• The door is easy to open and close
• The buttons are large and do not require too much pressure
• Any LCD display has large writing and enough contrast so that it can be easily read
• The product is reliable. Pay attention to reviews from other customers and the company’s customer service track record

While all microwaves make noise, some are quieter than others when they’re running. A quiet microwave will often be better for seniors.

Dishwasher

Like microwaves, dishwashers help to make life easier. They do all of the hard dishwashing work. Users simply need to load and unload them.

Dishwashers are good for the environment too. A dishwasher uses much less water than washing by hand. In fact, a modern dishwasher could use as little as 3 gallons of water for each load, while washing dishes by hand can use a whopping 27 gallons. A dishwasher also uses less energy for heating up water too.

To get the most benefits, you’ll want an Energy Star certified dishwasher. Look for one that was made in 2013 or later, so you’re taking advantage of modern standards.

Beyond this, you want to choose a reliable dishwasher, one that gets good reviews  

Make sure that the dishwasher is easy to use too. Key features include:

• A door that’s easy to open and close. The door should be light enough that the senior doesn’t need to strain when they open and close the dishwasher. Make sure that the door isn’t going to close when the senior is trying to load and unload the dishwasher.
• Large buttons.
• Any text should be large and easy-to-read.
• The right number of features. Extra features can be helpful, but they’re just confusing if the senior isn’t going to use them.
• Runners that work well, so that the racks will slide easily without any problems.

You could consider a countertop dishwasher too. These are typically smaller than an under-the-counter model, but being on the countertop places these at a better height for seniors. The smaller size could be perfect anyway, as many seniors are living on their own or with just one other person.

Washers and Dryers

Washers and dryers are important tools too.

You’ll be looking for the same features as other appliances for elderly people, including large buttons, easy-to-read text, and a reliable machine.

Once again, too many functions can be counterproductive. Most seniors will be fine with a few basic options. Similarly, smart washers and dryers might not be helpful. These are designed to connect with your phone or a device like Alexa. While this approach can be useful, the technology may be confusing and overwhelming for seniors.

Where To Put Them

Think about placement for the washer and dryer too.

The senior shouldn’t need to bend low or reach too high to use the machine. For example, dryers are often at ground level, which means that users need to stoop to use them. Doing so can be a serious problem for seniors who struggle to get up and down.

Front loading washers and dryers are best for reducing strain on the body. Place these side by side on pedestals or a raise platform to make them easier to use.

Be sure to leave plenty of space around the washer and dryer too. There should be enough room for a wheelchair or a walker, even if the senior doesn’t currently use either of these.

Waste Disposers

Waste disposal units can be fantastic for keeping things clean. They reduce the amount of trash that goes to the dump. This also means there is less trash for the senior to take out at the end of the week.

However, waste disposers have risks. Users can be seriously injured if they get their hands caught in the device.

Because of this, it’s important to weight up the pros and cons of having a waste disposal unit. This may not be the best appliance for an elderly person if they’re likely to injure themselves and aren’t likely to see much benefit.

If a waste disposal unit does make sense, consider a batch-fed model. With this type of unit, you add food waste to the chamber, place the drain cover over it, and then run the disposal unit. It won’t work without the cover in place, so there’s little risk of injury.

A dual sink system can help too.

Here the waste disposal is in a second sink, so there’s no risk of accidently dropping cutlery into it. This reduces the risk of injury too, as it’s easy to cut your hands while fishing around for lost cutlery.

Kettles

Appliances for elderly people can be simple, like a kettle. After all, kettles do come with risks. It can be easy to burn yourself on the outside of a kettle or even the handle if it is poorly designed. Forgetting to turn the kettle off or not filling it could lead to a fire, and there’s also the risk of spiling hot water on yourself.

Thankfully, these problems are easy to avoid with the right product.

• Look for a kettle with cool touch handles.
• You’ll also want a kettle with automatic shut-off features. For example, most kettles will turn themselves off once they have boiled.
• More advanced kettles can sense the amount of water present and won’t function if the water level is too low.
• Cordless kettles are the best, as these are easy to move and are lighter. Most will have a cord attached to the base, while the kettle can be lifted from the base and moved as you need to.
• Look for light kettles with sturdy handles. Both features make the kettle easier to move.
• Small kettles can be appealing too, as these hold less water, so they won’t get too heavy even when completely filled.

Cut-Resistant Gloves

Blades, graters, scissors, and different things can cause cuts and injuries, as well as serious wounds. You can’t avoid using these tools in the kitchen, but the right gloves can protect a senior’s hands.

Cut-resistant gloves come in various grades. In the United States, these are measured through ANSI standards, ranging from A1 to A9. The higher the number, the stronger the gloves and the more force they can resist.

Gloves from A3 to A5 are often used around the home as they have good cut resistance and still allow users to move their hands with ease. Possible materials include dyneema fiber, metal mesh, and spectra fiber. You can find Kevlar fiber gloves too, although these aren’t as strong.

Metal mesh gloves are also able to protect against punctures, while other types of gloves generally won’t. High-quality nitrile gloves are ideal for handling harsh chemicals, especially hazardous and corrosive ones, and they also have exceptional puncture resistance, making them a staple when doing medical procedures. Moreover, nitrile is the best alternative for those with latex allergies.

There’s a fantastic article on the Cook’s Illustrated site that delves into the different types of cut-resistant gloves and how they compare in the kitchen.

As that article points out, one of the most important things is to find a glove that fits well and doesn’t impede movement. These outcomes will affect the usefulness of the glove more than its ANSI rating.

LED Faucet Lights

LED faucet lights are an easy way to stop people from burning their hands. These colored lights make the water look red when it is hot and blue when it is cold.

While the approach is simple, it can help seniors to stay safe. The lighted water looks pretty too.

Touchless Faucets

While we’re on the topic – what about a touchless faucet? Faucets like these allow you to start the water flow by simply waving your hand in front of the sensor.

This makes the faucet much easier to use, as you don’t need a free hand to operate the lever. Touchless faucets are perfect for people with arthritis in their hands too.  

TV

TV remains a popular form of entertainment. It’s even more important for seniors who cannot easily read because of eyesight issues.

Large screens are the way to go here (within reason). This helps seniors to see the images clearly. Seniors who rely on subtitles will benefit from a large screen too, as the font ends up being larger.

Beyond this, most types of TV will work fine. You could even look for a smart TV, so your family member can use Netflix and similar services. But, if you do so, make sure that the TV is easy to use.

The TV Remote

Modern TV remotes come with many features. This can make them pretty confusing, especially for seniors.

Try looking for a TV with a simple remote. Or, you could try a universal remote that can be paired to your TV. Some of these have large buttons, so they’re easier for seniors to use. The examples below can all be useful.

Just make sure that the remote will work for your TV first and that it has the functions that you want.

Or, you can take the old-fashioned approach and simply put black tape over all of the buttons that the senior should ignore.

Home Theater Systems

A home theater system can make the TV even more enjoyable (and easier to hear!).

The type of system you have will make a huge difference. More than anything else, it needs to be easy to use. Be careful with any WiFi systems. These are common and effective, but they can be temperamental too. The senior might not know how to solve any problems that crop up.

Finding Other Products

We’ve featured a selection of tools and appliances for elderly people. But, as you can probably guess, we’ve only scratched the surface.

After all, you have a variety of options for almost every type of object in your house. Some of these options will work well for any user, while others may be better for some people than for others.

The trick is to think closely about what you and your family needs. You can also look out for the following features, as these are common in senior-friendly products.

• Large Displays. Any display should be large and easy-to-read, especially from a distance. This is crucial for complicated digital products, like pressure cookers or a digital toaster oven, as the displays contain important information and are often small.
• Large Buttons. Large buttons make life easier for anyone who struggles with eyesight or coordination.
• Lightweight. Elderly people often aren’t as strong as when they were young, especially if they are dealing with arthritis or another health condition. Lighter products are easier to move and there’s less risk that they will be dropped.
• Strong and Large Handles. The right handles can make products much easier to open and use. Small and fiddly handles, on the other hand, are frustrating and are not worth the effort.
• Reliable. Look for products with good reviews. You want to be sure that the tool or appliance is going to last and won’t break at the wrong time.
• Easy to Open. Make sure that appliances can be easily opened, ideally with one hand. This reduces the risk of spills or accidents. It’s often best to focus on products that stay open until you close them too. After all, ovens that keep closing when you’re trying to use them are beyond frustrating.
• Safe. Some products will have extra safety features, like handles that don’t heat up or an automatic shut off switch. These can be critical for safety.

You can also look for products to make appliances easier to use, like handles that offer extra grip or more leverage.