Products for caregivers
From hearing aids to cleaning products, the right tool can make your job as a caregiver a lot easier.
Bump It Off
A silicone tool which fits comfortably in your hand in multiple positions, Bump It Off allows you to concentrate scrubbing power in the palm of your hand or on your fingertips. Eco-friendly and reusable, it has gentle bristles on one side and smooth bumps on the other, allowing it to tackle any chore that’s thrown its way, including the kitchen, laundry and pet messes. You can even use it as a beauty tool. $9.99; amazon.com.
BeHear
In the U.S. alone, there are more than 30 million adults who could benefit from wearing hearing aids … but only about 30 percent wear them. BeHear NOW is a “personal hearing product” that combines the functionality of a digital hearing aid, a Bluetooth stereo headset and an assistive listening device. From in-person conversations to phone calls, live music and your favorite TV shows, it’s wearable technology that addresses a broad range of sound for the wearer’s specific hearing needs. Plus, BeHear NOW’s sleek design houses HiFi acoustic components, a powerful digital processor and a long-life rechargeable battery. It even supports wireless software updates, enabling remote user support from hearing professionals. Prices vary; wearandhear.com.
Plan for retirement
The number of Americans 65 and older will double from 46 million to 98 million by 2060, which means baby boomers are projected to enter assisted living facilities in record numbers. Through 2017, occupancy levels at senior living facilities were at 88.3 percent. That number is expected to peak in 2026. This will disrupt the industry in a multitude of ways, and the heavy influx will put a financial burden on many families. Seniors who have been planning for retirement will need to make smart choices — for their health and financially — while children will need to factor caring for their parents into their own financial goals. The team at AssistedLivingFacilities.org has put together a comprehensive report: “The Costs of Assisted Living Facilities in Your State.” For more information, visit AssistedLivingFacilities.org.
Bioscarf
Now you can protect a loved one with an illness without being obvious. The Bioscarf is the first functional and fashionable air filtration garment to hit the market. It’s an attractive scarf line that can replace unsightly air masks for people who are trying to protect themselves from pollution, germs, pollen and even cigarette smoke. The Bioscarf is made from sustainable materials, and even the label is made from recycled PVC pipes. The Bioscarf product line currently comes in black, white and olive, with two more styles being developed. $39.99; bioscarf.com.
iFork
Each year, thousands of people are hospitalized due to food-borne diseases. Germs found on tabletops, kitchen countertops, picnic tables and desktops can spread easily. IFork has created a system that will give diners peace of mind with the iCup and iPlate. The sleek set insures that each piece is safely secured and free from encountering germs the way regular flatware may. On either side of the plate, the utensils click into a special holder, keeping them raised above any tabletop. The cup easily slides under the plate to ensure that its top is covered, keeping germs or other unwanted things from getting inside your drink. Prices vary; ifork.com.
