As we head into our senior years, everyday tasks around the home can become more challenging. But with some fresh thinking, there’s no need to abandon those home hurdles that leave us exhausted and frustrated. From new virtual assistant technology to the familiar soap on a rope, click or scroll through these clever home hacks for the over-60s to put a spring back in your step around the house.
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Grab and go
If bending down or reaching up high into cupboards is getting harder let a ‘handy’ gadget do the hard work for you. This long reach grabber extends to three feet, has a rotating strong grip head and flashes an LED light when entering dark cupboards.
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Clip on a paintbrush
If you enjoy a spot of DIY don’t leave all the fun to the handyman. Keep your decorator’s eye sharp with gadgets to help get the job done with ease. A paintbrush holder clips onto the paint can and grips the brush tight with a magnet for when you might need a break. This also works well for cleaning purposes too.
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Keep rugs steady
Grandma will approve of this one. Rug grippers are a good safety idea no matter what your age. Rug underlay will help prevent rugs and carpet runners from slipping and sliding on all types of flooring. It will also help protect the backing of the rug to ensure it lasts longer.
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Put a chair in every room
Provide a place to sit and rest if needed wherever you are in your house. The living room or bedroom are obvious places, but the right chair can look just as at home in the hallway, kitchen and even bathroom. This curvaceous hallway chair picks out the natural tones of the staircase and storage basket nearby to become a key feature in this blue hallway.
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Swap to lightweight cleaners
Heavy upright vacuum cleaners can be backbreaking to push around the house. Instead, upgrade to lighter versions to get the cleaning done in a jiffy. A cordless stick is lighter and yet can have the same capacity and power as traditional vacuums. When you are finished, clip it onto a bracket on the wall so it’s easy to retrieve next time. This one even has dust-pouches that are compostable!
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Install bathroom gadgets
Make visits to the bathroom a dignified experience with advanced bathroom utilities. This stylish toilet-bidet by Grohe benefits from automatic lid opening and closing, a built-in night light, and automatic flushing and rinsing. The bidet function provides a touch-free cleaning experience using only water and warm air. And it can all be operated via remote control or smartphone app – how convenient!
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Lose the bath
Definitely not a bathroom mistake, if you struggle to get in and out of the bath and are not partial to a long soak, consider replacing the tub with a walk-in shower. You will keep your physical independence when washing for years to come, create more space in your bathroom and save on water bills and energy too.
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Don’t lose your grip
When you find it hard to grip items try adding mouldable glue. Sugru will stick to almost anything and turns into strong flexible rubber overnight. The putty-style material is handy stuff for any number of small home improvements that need extra grip and it’ll stay strong and securely bonded anywhere from the freezer to a hot shower.
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Take a seat in the shower
If mobility is a problem, a discreet seat in the shower is ideal for those moments when balance may be an issue. Small yet strong, a fold-down version is practical and unobtrusive when other members of the family use the shower.
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Salvage the soap on a rope
Enjoy some bathroom nostalgia by reinstating the soap on a rope to your daily wash routine. Originally invented in the 1940s to stop soap turning to mush, the handy rope is still extremely practical. Simply loop around the wrist while showering so if it slips out of your hand it won’t go any further. There are plenty of versions available if you search online, from the luxurious to the novelty.
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Be prepared for the grandkids
Keep floors crumb and spill-free when the grandchildren come to stay. Place a large mat under the high chair or breakfast table to protect your clean carpets from food mess. This one is PVC coated and comes with a storage bag, but if you are caught on the hoof a simple dust sheet will do the job too.
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Make furniture movable
Look out for furniture that is easy to manoeuvre when needed, such as when you’re doing a deep clean. This industrial-style trolley offers plenty of shelf storage and its black wireframe keeps items safely in place when on the move. Better yet, it can be used as a rustic sideboard, drinks trolley or even a dinner service.
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Hang up shoe organisers for storage
A great storage hack; shoe organisers are budget-friendly and perfect for storing many items other than footwear. Hang them to the back of the door in any room to stock provisions that would normally be kept in low cupboards and you won’t have to bend down to get them.
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Buy a video doorbell
Video doorbells have revolutionised home security as an affordable and effective method of monitoring callers. The integrated security camera allows you to view and communicate with whoever is standing at the front door while you are indoors. You can also talk to the guest while you are out via your smartphone. Some come with night vision and a security alarm.
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Go for a high back sofa
A high back sofa will add extra support to your spine and neck, making for a much more comfortable seat, especially if you have back problems. Look for a style that also offers strong and proportionate armrests and firm seat pads, all of which will aid you when you need to stand back up again.
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Choose a cushioned headboard
As with a sofa, a high back, cushioned headboard will offer comfortable support while sitting up in bed. Combine the upholstered headboard with a support pillow to help align your neck, back and hips, as well as improve your posture.
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Add an under-bed light
As we get older trips to the bathroom during the night can become more frequent. Make sure you can see the way by installing a motion sensor light under the bed. The soft glow will not disturb others and the timer can be set for up to 10 minutes. LED strip lights would do the job too.
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Use a book cushion for tech
Book cushions make reading more enjoyable and can hold tablets and e-readers just as well too. The angled cushion grips the device at just the right angle no matter what position you are relaxing in. The light foam cushion allows you to go hands-free for touch screen interaction or gives wrists a break.
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Defuzz furniture
Keep furniture pet hair free with a lint brush. Look out for a version that is extra-large, double-sided and self-cleaning for more ease. You won’t need fiddly tape refills for this one.
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Slide furniture with ease
We do love a home hack. Make moving furniture easier and protect floors along the way with furniture pads. Popping round pads under large pieces of furniture allows them to glide smoothly over carpets and floor tiles, making the job much less effort. If you don’t have purpose-made pads, cut out the ‘cups’ of egg cartons to use instead.
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Take visual memory photos
If your memory isn’t what it used to be your phone camera makes a great visual reminder. This can be advantageous for several situations. Remember how you perfectly packed up the Christmas decorations before you redecorate the tree. Or always know what’s in the attic without the effort of going up there by taking a photo of the space. Need to remember what food you’ve run out of? Take a photo of the fridge before you go shopping.
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Install motorised blinds
Stop heaving heavy window treatments up and down by installing motorised blinds activated by remote control or smart apps. As well as the ease-of-use factor, they also reduce solar gain and prevent heat loss. Schedule open and close times so you don’t have to think about them at all!
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Colour code keys
Ditch the hassle of going through all the keys on your keyring to find the right one by colour-coding the head. Whether you choose to add simple sticker dots or get creative with nail varnish art, it will save lots of time and frustration at the door. Check out Nailed It NZ on YouTube for a video tutorial of these cute keys.
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Stay warm with a smart thermo
Never go home to a cold house again with a smart thermostat. Smart heating allows you to control the heating and water in your home with a smartphone. Turn it on or off, change the temperature and set up schedules with the connecting app. Choose to have the system set up by a trusted installation partner and they’ll also show you how to use it so you can get started straight away. Contact the supplier for more details.
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Upgrade your garage door
Make parking your car at home more convenient by installing an electric garage door. Add the remote control to your car keys and you won’t have to get out of your car until it’s been manoeuvred safely inside. A roller version is compact, neat and often insulated.
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See clearly with a high-vision light
Reduce eye strain with a floor lamp that offers a strong near-daylight beam. A floodlight effect will offer excellent glare-free exposure that is perfect for reading and hobbies. Look out for modern designs that won’t look out of place in a stylish decorating scheme.
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Relax with an armchair organiser
Enjoy a cup of coffee without the risk of burning yourself or spilling it on furniture. An armchair organiser creates the perfect comfort zone. Choose one that has additional pockets for the TV remote controls, reading material, pens and other handy items.
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Indulge in a smart fridge
For those who want to embrace new technology, a smart fridge is the latest kitchen appliance to wow. Usually double-fronted, they come with a display screen that allows so many functions. You can view, monitor and order groceries from your phone, sync digital to-do calendars and shopping lists with family members and play home entertainment. They can even suggest recipes based on what’s inside the fridge!
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Put a Lazy Susan in cupboards
If you enjoy condiments but reaching to the back of cupboards or the refrigerator is tricky, pop in a Lazy Susan as a storage saviour. Jars and bottles will become organised and easily accessible at a whirl of a wheel.
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Befriend a virtual assistant
Virtual assistants such as Amazon Echo or Google Home are not just for millennials. There are so many senior-friendly benefits to make life easier. Ask for first aid advice, listen to audiobooks, set reminders and make phone calls hands-free, to name just a few. Be sure to sync them to light switches and the heating with additional equipment such as smart plugs to take full advantage.
Read more: 31 home design hacks that are beyond genius
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