Taking care of an aging parent is an unparalleled stress—beyond the financial pressure and demands on your time, there’s a whole lot of emotional strain. It’s compounded if you’re a member of the sandwich generation, responsible for both young family members and older relatives, and it’s more complicated still if there is travel involved.
Happily, there are resources that can take at least a bit of the edge off by making day-to-day tasks a bit easier—all while easing your mind about everyone’s well-being. From a pillbox that manages medication regimens to games that are easy to play together and a landline that makes it simple to stay connected, the following seven items are must-haves for any caregiver’s peace of mind.
1
MEDICINE TRACKER
Hero Smart Pill Dispenser
Keeping track of daily medicine can be daunting for caregivers and aging parents alike—certain pills need to be taken with meals, others at particular times, and some can’t be taken together. While a simple pillbox can keep things organized, it can’t help someone remember to take their pills, or let you know it’s time for a refill. That’s where Hero comes in—this smart “box” dispenses the right pills at the right time, while also allowing caregivers to track regimens in the accompanying app.
2
DENTAL ASSISTANCE
Curaprox Samba Automatic Toothbrush
When a parent is getting older, the simplest tasks can sometimes be the most difficult. Take brushing teeth: Arthritis can limit their dexterity, while forgetfulness can impact their usual routine. The Samba automatic toothbrush is great for folks with limited mobility, as it handles the brushing all on its own. It’s also designed to reach in between teeth and brush them all at once—which cuts down the time required to do a complete job to just a minute.
3
WELLNESS WEARABLE
Oura Ring Gen3 Heritage Fitness Tracker
These gadgets can do a lot more than track your steps or encourage you to get a workout nowadays. The Oura Ring, for example, boasts an early sickness detector, can track heart rate, and even keeps an eye on blood oxygen levels. The typical movement reminders can also be personalized to an aging parent’s routine (so they won’t get pesky and pointless notifications to go for a miles-long run). Plus, there’s no bulky screen or intimidating tech; it’s just a sleek ring with an impressively long battery life.
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4
AN EVEN BETTER LANDLINE
Panasonic KX-TGU4 Series Cordless Phone
It’s well known that a landline can be a lifesaver in an emergency, especially if someone has fallen or otherwise injured themselves. But don’t neglect being sure the landline you choose is easy to use—like the Panasonic KX-TGU4 Series Cordless Phone. The screen is larger than two inches, so it’s no problem to see who’s calling, and the buttons are large and easy to read. (There’s even a programmable “Favorites” key, so numbers they dial frequently can be called with the push of a single button.) Should you need it, the device even features a flashlight, and for those who are hard of hearing, the Panasonic also has a volume boost, which amplifies calls by up to +12dB.
5
GPS TRACKER
Apple AirTag
If you’re finding that your parent is misplacing things more frequently, having a few of these around can help locate whatever they’ve lost. They’re great for the TV remote, car keys, or even their reading-glasses case. Apple’s AirTags, for example, send out a secure Bluetooth signal to track down missing items—and can even lead you straight to the device with your phone. As a bonus, you can share an AirTag with up to five people, so the whole family can pitch in to hunt the missing item down.
6
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation)
Many common medications for seniors can make them feel cold, prompting them to crank the heat, even on warm summer days. And while this might make them feel more comfortable in the short term, it can lead to hyperthermia on especially warm days. With a smart thermostat like the Nest, you can establish a routine for the thermostat, so preferred temperatures can be set at different points in the day. Not only that, it can also be programmed to automatically kick on when the temperature in the house reaches a particular threshold—and you can monitor that temperature anytime you need to from an app.
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7
FUN FOR EVERYONE
Joy for All The Game of Life Generations
Now 13% Off
When your parents reach their golden years, spending quality time together is just as important as making sure their everyday needs are met. That’s why Joy for All has re-released classic games like Trivial Pursuit, Life, and Scrabble in versions designed for multiple generations to play together. For example, the Trivial Pursuit cards have questions specifically for Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, to keep the playing field level. With Life, there are different paths for each generation with relevant cultural references, too. And each game comes with big, easy-to-read cards and boards.