USEFUL GADGETS FOR THE ELDERLY

By Ishant Gupta

Gadgets are used by young and old equal. Many gadgets, designed especially to simplify the lives of elderly people, are making their way into the markets.

Phone

iBall Aasaan

Every feature of iBall Aasaan has been designed to serve the senior citizens. Along with a bright backlight, it has an extra large keypad. Other facilities include large characters and bright monochrome LCD and extra loud ringtone.  It is also equipped with SOS slider loud alarm for emergency. It allows you to send automatic alert SMS and make calls to 5 preset emergency numbers.

Samsung Jitterbug Plus

This flip phone contains keypad with extra large buttons. The internal and external displays both contain large fonts. Earpiece volume is quite high. This feature can be useful for people with hearing difficulties. It has an easy to use interface. Most of its options can be answered by either a yes or no.

Apps 

Silver Surf

This is a free browser app for Apple iPad. It allows usage of the big button for back, reload and forward options. It has a large input box for website search. The simple font size adjustment slider helps to increase the font of any web page instantly. You can also change the contrast with the help of a special button.

Big Buttons Keyboard

As the name suggests, this free android app transforms the default android touch keyboard into big buttons. These are helpful for people with weak eyesight. If you upgrade it to the premium version by paying 2.99 USD, you can avail options like word prediction, error correction, downloadable theme, cursor keys and adjustable keyboard screen height.

Simple Phone Seniors

This is a free application for android.  It changes the default user interface to suit elderly persons. Other features include large fonts and large tiles. The phone dialer, address book, call log and SMS inbox features appear in white background and large black font. You can set the app in such a way that it starts as soon as the phone boots.

Tablet

Memo Touch tablet

This tablet has been created from the point of view of senior citizens. Apart from its hardware (299 USD), you must subscribe to its care service too. A family member or a caretaker can send memos or reminder on this 10 inch tablet. Also, senior citizens can avail advanced features like calendar, to-do list, weather and medicine reminders.

Apple iPad

Apple’s iPad can be very useful for the elderly persons. Thanks to its big touch screen, simple user interface and top-notch apps, this device makes almost all of the senior citizens’ tasks easy. Its voiceover function works as per selection. Zoom, large text and high contrast mode help accomplish your work efficiently. This tablet also offers special option for those who have problems working with the touch screen.

Some other gadgets

Apart from mobile phones and apps, there are few other gadgets like remotes, heart rate monitors that can be of use to senior citizens.

Sony Universal Remote

You can buy this remote from ebay Global EasyBuy for 2000 INR. By using this remote you can work on two devices at the same time- a television and a set top box. The large buttons on this remote allow you to control the volume, channel and power with ease.

Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor

Just wear Polar FT7 on your wrist, and you can keep a constant watch on your heart rate. It also displays the calorie burn amount. If you want, you can even sync this data with a PC.

Med-e-lert Pill Dispenser

This gadget is available on ebay for about 5000 INR. This automatic dispenser contains 28 compartments. In case if you forget to take your pills, it sounds an alarm. If you have a weak memory, this gadget can certainly prove useful.