As the body grows less nimble, technology can make many tasks easier for seniors, from caregiving to living life more independently.
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Uncanny
Older hands will appreciate the light touch needed to operate the ergonomic lever on the Hamilton Beach 76606Z Smooth Touch Can Opener. Its side-cutting system leaves a smooth edge that won’t cut fingers or splash messes, and the extra height accommodates tall cans and pop tops. $29. (888) 280-4331; amazon.com.
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Backup system
Ideal for seniors who want a simple appliance without fancy bells and whistles, the self-cleaning Frigidaire 30-inch FFEF3015 Electric Range does its job with easy-to-operate controls. No worries about leaving the oven unattended—it shuts off automatically if left on for 12 hours. Indicator lights show when a cooking element is still on, and a large window makes it easy to view oven contents. $425. (888) 237-8289; bestbuy.com.
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Flame guard
Stovetop fire prevention is the goal of CookStop. Motion sensors detect whether the cook has left the room for an extended time; they launch a countdown to shut off the burner before fire has a chance to start. Common kits plug in easily to work with traditional stoves. $359. (408) 929-8808; cookstop.com.
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Flip over
Flipper Big Button Remote makes it easy to control the most basic TV functions: powering on or off, changing channels and adjusting volume. You can set it to remember 30 of your favorite channels, then control the TV and cable/satellite boxes with just one remote and a few easy-to-see buttons. $30. (800) 266-8765; homecontrols.com.
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Zoom in
Get the benefit of a zoom feature while reading printed books or magazines with the Cordless Wide View Illuminating Magnifier. The free-standing magnifier can enlarge any text to appear three times larger or make craft projects easier to see. The 8-inch-by-10-inch lens, mounted on a flexible gooseneck, is illuminated by an LED light. $80. (800) 321-1484; hammacher.com.
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Make no mistake
Those who struggle to see the keys on a conventional computer keyboard will find typing easier on the Ergoguys CD-1038 Ezsee Large-Print Low-Vision Keyboard. The extra-large keys are bright yellow with bold black lettering for easy viewing. It sets up quickly with a USB connection and works well in low-light environments. $31. (800) 333-3330; staples.com.
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Hear clear
End the battle over who controls the television volume with a set of TV Ears. You can turn up the volume as you like on your own wireless and rechargeable headset, so you hear all the program’s dialogue clearly, while others in the room listen to the TV at levels comfortable for them. $60. (888) 883-3277; tvears.com.
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A hand up
Getting in and out of a car can be challenging for anyone whose legs and joints are unsteady. The Emson 9663 Car Cane Portable Handle offers something to grab onto, slipping easily into the door latch on the car frame for extra leverage and stability. In case of emergency, it also serves as a flashlight, seatbelt cutter and window hammer. $15. (888) 280-4331; amazon.com.
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Dose of caution
Caregivers can program up to six daily alarms to remind loved ones to retrieve medications from a MedSmart Automatic Pill Dispenser. Monitoring is available to alert a caregiver if meds have not been taken within 60 minutes of the alarm time. $490 for MD2 (without patient monitoring), $790 MD2 Plus (with unlimited lifetime monitoring). (800) 549-0095; epill.com.
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Snappy phone
Designed with seniors in mind, the Snapfon ezTWO has big buttons and numbers, a bright screen with large text, a simplified menu and enhanced sounds. A monitored SOS button is available for a monthly fee. The phone is free with service activation; plans range from $10 to $30 per month. (800) 937-1532; snapfon.com.