|
We all like our independence and many of us have specific activities we wouldn’t want to give up just because we found it difficult to use a tool we had no problem with only months before. For instance, I love to cook and I’d be incredibly sad to have to give it up. The benefits of cooking are not always obvious. By eating well I stay healthier for longer, and when I’m thinking about cooking, planning what to eat and finding recipes, I’m keeping mentally agile. Shopping for ingredients keeps me sociable and mobile. It really does give meaning to my life. The problem is that as we get older we do lose our strength, flexibility and mobility. The tasks and hobbies that bring both meaning and pleasure to our lives become difficult and even painful. The good news is that these days there is no shortage of gadgets on the market to assist us and keep us independent for as long as possible. These are my top six gadgets that I will have in the kitchen when I need them: • A grater/slicer with a wide bottom and large rubber handle to keep it where I want it and give me a good grip • A non-slip chopping board that clamps to my work surface with two raised sides. It won’t move and I won’t send slices of carrot skidding across the counter • An ergonomic grip knife so I can keep chopping to my heart’s content • A wing knife for peeling citrus fruit • Lightweight pans with a large grip handle • A non-slip salad spinner Think of all the tasks you carry out in the home that you may need help with in the future and I can guarantee you there are tools out there to help you keep going for as long as possible. If you’re finding it difficult to bathe these days install a walk in bath, or an easy access shower fitted with a low rise shower tray and a seat. Fitting a stairlift costs less than you think and could be the best money you ever spend on staying in! For those who enjoy crafts there is a huge range of work lights and magnifiers that clamp to a table, leaving both hands free to get on with that fiddly bit of embroidery or sewing. Getting in and out of the house can present all sorts of problems. If you are arthritic and have trouble turning keys you can now buy gadgets that fit over the key as a large, easy grip handle that provides leverage and ease of turning. So don’t not despair. Remaining independent and reducing the need for home care is something the modern range of products can really help with. With more of us getting older than at any other time in history, it’s comforting to know that we will be able to stay independent for longer thanks to the ingenuity of those talented inventors. Jerry is a writer for Care and Choice, a Sussex based Home Care agency.
Related Articles -
home care, care products, home care agency,
| 
