Technology is a valuable part of modern life that benefits everyone, young and old. There are plenty of useful gadgets that can make older people’s lives much easier. From personal safety devices to useful kitchen tools, we’re sharing our favourite must-have gadgets for over-60s.
1. Mobile Phone
Nowadays, most people own a mobile phone. In 2023, 87% of all people in the UK owned a smartphone. Amongst people aged 55 to 64, 86% had a smartphone, as did 80% of over-65s. There is good reason that mobile phones have become so popular. They are a convenient way to keep in touch with friends and loved ones over long distances. A smartphone, especially, offers so many options. Your loved one can use it to video call you or the grandkids; they can download apps to keep their brain active; they can use the internet to browse new recipes or hobby ideas.
To help your loved one find the right phone for them, read our guide to the best smartphones and tablets for older people.
2. A Personal Alarm
There are so many benefits to having a personal alarm in the house. A good personal alarm system means that older people can always call for help in an emergency. Modern personal alarms come with wearable pendants, which are designed to be as comfortable and discreet as possible. In the event of an emergency, the user can press the pendant button and our 24/7 Care Team will respond straight away. This means there is no need to struggle with their phone – our team do all the work.
Personal alarms are among the most useful gadgets for over-60s. They offer independence and peace of mind to the whole family, with minimal disruption to the alarm user’s home and lifestyle. What’s more, they’re easy to set up and simple to use, making them ideal for elderly people who live alone.
To find out more about the Careline365 Alarm Service, be sure to read our simple guide.
3. A Key Safe
Key safes are very useful gadgets for older people. They’re a simple, affordable way to increase the security of your home. You can affix the key safe to an exterior wall and store spare keys inside – behind a secure combination lock, only accessible to those who know the code.
For anybody who has regular visits from family, friends, or carers, a key safe is a must-have gadget. We offer a range of different key safes starting from £25. The most secure key safes cost a little more – but a key safe can actually save you money you would otherwise have spent getting spare keys cut. What’s more, when paired with a personal alarm, a key safe can make it easier for help to reach you. Without a key safe, if your emergency contacts aren’t available, the emergency services may need to force entry, which can lead to unwanted costs if you need to replace your door.
For more information, view our full range of key safes. If you purchase a key safe, let our Care Team know the code so they can pass it on to emergency services if they are ever needed.
4. A Tablet Computer
This may seem like just an entertainment device, but it can also connect the elderly to their loved ones through all the same apps as a smartphone, but with a bigger screen. That means easy access to Skype, email, and even Facebook. This will help ease loneliness and help them feel connected. Many older people feel wary of modern technology but they needn’t worry. Nowadays, there are plenty of tablets and smartphones designed specifically for older people to use. What’s more, standard gadgets these days are becoming easier to use, too.
Don’t let your elderly loved ones feel put off. Here are some of the best smartphones and tablets for older people.
5. Robot Lawnmower
Maintaining a garden can become quite a challenge for many older people. Automatic lawnmowers tackle the most strenuous task of mowing the lawn for you. They’re best suited to smaller gardens, giving your older loved ones one less thing to worry about whilst they focus on the more enjoyable aspects of gardening. Prices tend to start at around £350 but you could pay thousands for a high-end model.
6. Digital Photo Frames
One of the most affordable gadgets for over-60s, digital picture frames can brighten up the home in an instant. Display your favourite images of friends, family, and fond memories for all to see. The frame will cycle through the images, giving each one its time in the spotlight. This is a great way to display lots of different photos on rotation, without forking out for dozens of frames and damaging your walls by hanging them up. This makes them particularly useful for renters.
7. Robot Vacuum Cleaner
As with the robot lawnmower, the robot vacuum cleaner helps with the chores. Traditional vacuum cleaners can be heavy and difficult to use. These automatic vacuum cleaners are a perfect solution – all you need to do is empty out the dust and dirt once it’s finished cleaning. Most models let you schedule regular cleaning, while more advanced devices will let you control the vacuum from an app on your smartphone or tablet.
There are limitations, as they cannot clean the stairs, but this doesn’t stop them being an effective way to keep the house tidy.
8. Hands-Free Can Opener
To finish off our list of must-have gadgets for over-60s, we’re going back to basics. For many older people, arthritis can make day-to-day tasks difficult, painful, or even impossible. A hands-free can opener will help you open cans, jars, and more with ease. These nifty little gadgets are very affordable, starting from around £15. Most of them are battery-operated – you simply lay the opener on top of the can or jar you wish to open, press a button, and watch the gadget go to work.
You can read about more handy kitchen gadgets for elderly people in our helpful article.
Top Gadgets for Over-60s
These are just some of the gadgets available to improve your loved ones’ independence and quality of life. Can you think of any more examples? What are your favourite gadgets? Is there a gizmo your parents couldn’t live without? Let us know in the comments below.
Careline Alarm Service
If you would like to find out more about our life-saving personal alarm service, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can call our friendly team on 0800 030 8777 or get in touch online. You can also order a Careline alarm online or over the phone at any time.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 30th January 2024 to reflect current information.
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