Home Sweet Home
People spend years building and spending their hard earned money and time on their homes. But how many think about making an environment that is senior friendly?
As we age we are not able to perform the same tasks with the ease of our earlier years, creating many dangerous situations. The current home may not be adequately prepared to provide the safety and convenience of the aging residents.
The rate of our aging seniors is beginning to influence the development of new appliances; stairs, homes, and electronics. Currently seniors, age 55 and above, make up 76 million people and spend $25 billion annually in the American consumer market. As they age, seniors are going to be looking for ways in which to make their lives safer and more convenient.
A new senior friendly oven comes with an automatic door and features that shuts off the heat when not in use. Other features include a glass cook top with a thermometer that will prevent boil over if a person forgets and easy to touch or program levers for cooking. The oven also has a handle bar that will support a 350lb person. All of these new features are being developed and marketed specifically for the geriatric age group by companies such as General Electric, Siemens, and Moen.
New washers and dryers geared toward seniors are also being developed. Many of the new washer and dryers are being designed to reduce stooping when removing laundry. They provide large knobs that make unique and louder than normal noises or melodies for each setting, and have automatic or easy to open doors.
Becoming senior friendly is not only restricted to the home but also needs to include the automobile. In order to ensure new cars are senior friendly, Nissan Motor Co. has employees wear an “aging suit” that simulates stiff joints, poor balance and impaired vision while they test concept cars. Ford Motor Co. has developed software to simulate the motions of an older person using a vehicle.
Companies are beginning to realize that one model does not fit all. The geriatric market will force more research and development for alternatives for the aging individual. When you prepare your home as you age, consider some of these items when replacing old or outdated appliances and equipment.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, Thanks for joining us for the Boomers & Seniors Blog Carnival at SandwichINK – http://tinyurl.com/cudrpu . Your two articles were both very interesting.
We have been dealing with senior-friendly housing since my mom moved in with me a few years ago. It's definitely challenging, particularly for those in older houses. I loved the oven you described. We bought one that lets us know if the unit was left on, but I loved the thermometer option. I'll have to watch for that the next time I move! One thing that frustrates me, and I'm only in my 50s, is the tiny print on EVERYTHING from computers to fridges, to washers/dryers. And the odd placement of some of the information like serial numbers. If I have a problem trying to read a serial number that is way too tiny and requires major bending, I can't imagine what someone in their 70s or 80s must be feeling! Hopefully as the whole country is growing a bit older, this will continue to improve
Hi, Thanks for joining us for the Boomers & Seniors Blog Carnival at SandwichINK – http://tinyurl.com/cudrpu . Your two articles were both very interesting.
We have been dealing with senior-friendly housing since my mom moved in with me a few years ago. It's definitely challenging, particularly for those in older houses. I loved the oven you described. We bought one that lets us know if the unit was left on, but I loved the thermometer option. I'll have to watch for that the next time I move! One thing that frustrates me, and I'm only in my 50s, is the tiny print on EVERYTHING from computers to fridges, to washers/dryers. And the odd placement of some of the information like serial numbers. If I have a problem trying to read a serial number that is way too tiny and requires major bending, I can't imagine what someone in their 70s or 80s must be feeling! Hopefully as the whole country is growing a bit older, this will continue to improve
Small print is a big concern. My husband battles this everyday. I find myself reaching for a magnifying glass every once in awhile. I can’t imagine being visually impaired and having to find some of these numbers much less read the directions.
Thanks for your comments. I am always on the lookout for interesting products and services.
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