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November 1, 2021 by Kirk Brechbiel

The Hottest Holiday Gadgets for Senior Adults

As you begin your holiday shopping, do you have older parents or family members on your list and are stumped at what you can get them that is both useful and unique? Turn to technology! Sure, the new pair of socks or a book is always welcome presents but don’t really stand out. If you’re hoping to really brighten someone’s day and leave a lasting impression with your gift, finding the right tech gadget or tool is a great way to go.

Keep reading for a helpful list of ideas and advice for how to shop for a tech gift, particularly for older adults who may have hesitations or limitations. Through your generosity and thoughtfulness, you may be able to introduce them to a piece of technology that makes their daily life easier and more enjoyable. Here are some ideas we hope to inspire!

Keep track of easy-to-lose items with the Tile Mate Tracker

Everyone loses their keys (and other things) once in a while, and it can become more common with age. The Tile Mate helps you keep track of them and offers daily peace of mind. What’s the value on that? Best of all, its app is easy to use, and the tile itself is small, with a practical design. Simply attach it to a keychain or anything else you’re prone to lose and now you have a simple and discrete way to find it with the push of a button. There’s also a find-your-phone function which is highly useful!

Pills are a chore no more with the MedMinder

If your loved one needs to take pills on a strict schedule, but sometimes forgets, it can be a daily concern that weighs on your mind. This gift will help bring peace to everyone! Seniors with medications to manage every day will appreciate MedMinder’s reminders of when to open a pill compartment. The device’s built-in cell service connects to a monitoring station, so no phone or wireless network is needed. You can also buy refill trays that can be swapped in and out as needed.

Easy entertainment is always a welcome gift and Fire HD 8 makes it accessible to anyone

If your older parents get frustrated or confused by the television and countless remotes, a tablet may be a more user-friendly option for them to enjoy all the same entertainment on demand and in a convenient, portable size. The FireHD8 is one of the easiest tablets to use, and one of the cheapest. It has speakers and a bright screen and includes integration with services such as Amazon Prime Video. One option also comes with a wireless charging dock.

Using tech in the winter got a whole lot warmer with the COOYOO Touchscreen Gloves

Especially for people who live in colder climates, touchscreen gloves can lend a helping hand when you want to stay warm but still use your tech device. These gloves are a great price plus have the right features like thumb and index finger functionality. A perfect stocking stuffer for under $20.

If they don’t already have one, it’s time to own a Ring Video Doorbell!

This gift offers safety and convenience in one, plus a bit of entertainment! With the Ring Video Doorbell, you can detect when someone approaches your door, and see who’s there without leaving your seat — even when not at home. The device is easy to install, and the app is user-friendly. Plus, you can store and save videos if you choose the subscription service.

Give the give of never losing a password again with LastPass

One big challenge for seniors, and the rest of us, honestly, is keeping track of passwords. With LastPass, there’s only one master password to remember. LastPass takes care of the rest: password generation as well as automatically logging in. LastPass is available for smartphones and tablets as well as PCs, for protection regardless of the device being used. There is a modest annual subscription, but well worth the investment for the peace of mind it delivers.

Think beyond the power cord!

With one final thought, we want to remind you to think beyond the power cord when you’re considering tech gifts, especially for older adults. Technology comes in all shapes and sizes and is not limited to something with a screen or needs to be charged. Tech can be anything that helps to make daily life easier! So check out Amazon’s great listing of fun gadgets that are designed to not only help, but also add a smile to someone’s day.

We hope this short list of holiday tech gadgets has provided some insight and inspiration that will lighten your holiday gift-giving load. If you have a question or another idea to share, we welcome comments below!

Filed Under: Blog, Holidays Tagged With: adults, aging, christmas, elderly, ella home care, gadget, gift, gift giving, holiday guide, ideas, old, parents, present, senior, shopping, shopping list, tech, technology, tools

November 5, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

How Senior Adults Can Stay Healthy this Flu Season

For many, the winter season is the best season of all. It brings with it the holidays, snowy settings, and fun family traditions. Unfortunately, this time of year is also when we see a lot more illnesses floating around, especially among our aging adult population. Germs can spread rapidly with everyone spending more time indoors and at social gatherings. So what can you do to protect yourself from catching the flu bug this season? Take a look at our top tips for how senior adults can stay healthy during the winter months.

Get the Flu Vaccine

One very important line of defense against the flu is to start with a flu shot. Especially for our senior adults, this can greatly reduce your chances of contracting the flu. More than just the inconvenience of being sick, the flu poses a substantially greater risk to our aging population who can suffer severe side effects and a very long recovery time compared to younger generations. Flu shots are widely available and most commonly free.

Maintain Good Hygiene Practices

This flu season, make it a commitment to stay ahead of germs by practicing smart hygiene. This means thoroughly washing your hands after using the restroom or when out in public spaces, and washing your hands every time before you touch food, your mouth, or eyes. This is a very simple yet highly effective step for reducing flu germs, and any other germs, from calling your home their home.

Stay Active

Staying active in the winter is not always easy, but it is worth it. Getting in a little bit of physical activity every day has been proven to boost your immune system which wards off illnesses like the flu. In the dark, winter months, staying active can also boost your emotional wellness. Getting out of your home, seeing friends and neighbors, and stretching or moving your body is good for the mind, body, and soul.

See the Doctor – Only When Necessary

When you come down with a common winter illness, the best thing to do is to rest and give yourself time to get over the illness at home. For something that appears common, non-life-threatening, and is showing signs of improving, you don’t need to rush to the doctor to confirm the obvious. The doctor’s office is frequented by sick people, so every time you come in for an appointment you’re also exposing yourself to additional germs. If symptoms worsen or become severe, absolutely see a doctor, but otherwise try to avoid public places where germs tend to follow, like a doctor’s office.

Avoid Crowds and Limit Travel

Another smart tip to limit your exposure to the flu this season, especially for our aging population, is to avoid large crowds and limit travel. Again, these public spaces tend to be where large amount of germs reside. By exposing yourself to them, you’re also exposing yourself to these germs. Limit your risk by sticking to smaller, more personal spaces and using good hygiene to get rid of any germs that may have come home with you.

Focus on Hydration and Nutrition

Finally, focus on drinking lots of water and fueling your body with good nutrition. This will help give your body the resources it needs to produce a healthy immune system and put up a strong line of defense against germs. Increase your intake of Vitamin C to further boost your immune system, and incorporate some herbal teas into your diet to soothe dry throats while offering additional hydration.

The bottom line to staying healthy this flu season is to be proactive and smart with your health habits. If you haven’t already gotten flu shot, the best time to do that is now. Also, stock up on supplies like tissues antimicrobial wipes, and hand sanitizer so it’s quick and convenient to keep hands and surfaces clean. With a little planning ahead you can save yourself from the negative impact of coming down with, and spreading the flu this season.

Filed Under: Advice, Blog Tagged With: adults, aging, camp hill, caregiver, doctor, elerly, ella home car, flu, germs, harrisburg, health, healthy, home care agency, illness, in home care, lemoyne, lifestyle, mechanicsburg, medicine, older, pennsylvania, personal care, seniors, sick, sickness, vaccination, vaccine, wellness, winter

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