tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:22:28 +0000safetymobilityautomationsmart techrobotsecuritydisinfectionbackcleaningkneesAboutbendingdiscomfortfalllegsliftpainIf you are getting older, or are disabled, and having trouble maintaining your independence, this blog may be for you. Whether you love or hate technology, you may find certain advances useful!https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)Blogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-8927985493799101981Sat, 08 Feb 2025 20:09:00 +00002025-02-08T14:09:56.340-06:00backdiscomfortkneeslegsmobilitypainsafety Last summer, I was walking to my car, and about thirty feet away from it, when all of a sudden, my knee gave out. Fortunately, I was helped to my car, and the next day I went to the emergency room. They couldn't find anything wrong with me, so I decided the problem was muscular, and I went to a massage therapist.However, although that session helped, it was clear that I would need more helphttps://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2025/02/ouch.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-321059258939058598Sun, 03 Jul 2022 23:11:00 +00002022-07-03T18:12:55.484-05:00cleaningdisinfectionNot all technology involves robots, or computers, or even electricity! As I'm getting older, I'm having more trouble cleaning the bathtub and shower. I settled on the Clorox Scrubtastic and a daily shower spray, but I still had problems with mold and mildew. When buying another daily shower spray, I accidentally ordered the wrong thing, and what a serendipitous choice it was! I sprayed this on https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2022/07/sometimes-solution-is-simple.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-4544508946836523671Wed, 15 Dec 2021 20:13:00 +00002021-12-15T14:13:53.821-06:00disinfectionsafety I am a musician, and for some reason my elbows are always tired. Add to that, I don't really like doing a lot of hard physical labor and I've been searching for ways to make my life easier. Enter the hand steamer, an appliance that makes quick work of cleaning and sterilizing surfaces.For cleaning windows, countertops, bathroom mirrors, the crevices around sinks and drains, and many other https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2021/12/hand-steamers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-7596188986035375561Sun, 13 Sep 2020 16:25:00 +00002020-09-13T11:25:00.306-05:00fallliftsafetysecurityAs we get older, falling is a concern for many of us. Fortunately, there are many devices and techniques that will enable us to live more independently, even with the enhanced risk of falling. First off, let's start with a video that shows some of the techniques that can be helpful to lift yourself after a fall: But that's not all! There are plenty of devices that can help you get up after a https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2020/09/getting-up-after-fall.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-3325276217193796613Sun, 30 Aug 2020 14:47:00 +00002020-08-30T09:47:41.067-05:00backbendingkneesmobilitysafetysecurity Some days, it just doesn't seem worth it. I know that as I am getting older, my knees and back complain more. I discovered two things that really help in limiting the amount of time I spend getting up and down, and enabling me to get more done with less aching. And sometimes the adaptations you need don't have to be high-tech! Here's the first thing: amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2020/08/saving-my-back-and-knees.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-2589447766274546731Wed, 13 May 2020 17:38:00 +00002020-09-04T12:19:37.607-05:00automationdisinfectionrobotsafetyWith the current COVID-19 outbreaks, and more infectious diseases in the future, it makes sense to think about easy possibilities for disinfection. Nobody wants to be scrubbing something for ten minutes, honestly. So here are some easier ways to keep safe, using UV-C lighting, which is what hospitals around the world use to disinfect their surgical instruments. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0";https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2020/05/disinfection.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-5691053043794416771Fri, 13 Dec 2019 19:41:00 +00002020-08-10T06:11:55.393-05:00mobilityrobotsafetysecurity It's no secret that I like robots. My next major purchase won't be a car. It will be a robotic lawn mower. Yes, you may have a neighborhood kid who will mow the lawn for you, but what happens in a few years when that kid grows up, or their family moves away? Not only do robotic lawn mowers do the job, but there are other lawn and garden appliances that also do chores. Invest in a smart https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/12/even-more-robots.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-1863817785799719015Fri, 29 Nov 2019 14:30:00 +00002019-12-28T14:47:16.069-06:00mobilitysafety One of my problems is my knees. It hurts to get down and back up again, and I always need to make sure I have a steady handhold. What hurts the worst is cleaning the bathtub, and I used to avoid it. Enter the power scrubber. I've tried several, and they all work great. In case you've missed all the infomercials, the power scrubber is a motorized spinning brush on a handle. Most of them weigh https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/11/power-scrubbers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-4265508115164988277Fri, 15 Nov 2019 14:30:00 +00002019-11-15T08:30:08.257-06:00automationsafetyAs we age, let's face it, we forget things. In some cases, forgetting things can be deadly. One of the most frightening ideas is leaving the stove or oven on too long and your house catching fire. If you have a relatively new oven, most have cook timers, that will turn the oven off after a set period of time. Get in the habit now of using it. If you know precisely how long to cook something https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/11/ovens-and-burners.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-5648290844956251322Fri, 08 Nov 2019 14:30:00 +00002019-11-08T08:30:02.038-06:00automationsafety Just about everyone has a smoke detector installed. But did you know that there are more smart detectors available? With smart sensors, you and close family or friends can help monitor your home, whether you're home or not. You may be tempted by the combination smoke detector/carbon monoxide alarms, but don't buy them. Smoke is lighter than air, and rises, and carbon monoxide is heavierhttps://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/11/smart-sensors.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-6848651079621591189Fri, 01 Nov 2019 13:30:00 +00002019-11-01T08:30:05.628-05:00safetysmart tech Nowadays, there are few appliances that can't be made smart. If you use a regular slow cooker, you can plug it into a smart outlet to turn it off and on. But if you have a smart slow cooker, you can program it further. And slow cookers aren't the only smart kitchen appliances; there are smart pressure cookers, toaster ovens, and many other appliances out there. If you're in the market for a newhttps://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/11/kitchen-appliances.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-7067570546600245071Fri, 25 Oct 2019 13:30:00 +00002021-12-15T14:26:18.440-06:00cleaningrobot Everyone laughed at me. Now I'm the one laughing. I invested in a robot window cleaner. Getting on a ladder or step stool, or trying to clean windows in hot or cold weather was getting too much for me. Plus, I didn't really enjoy cleaning windows (that old phrase, "I don't do windows," readily comes to mind). amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/10/more-robots.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-5017845587519154710Fri, 18 Oct 2019 13:30:00 +00002019-10-18T08:30:02.432-05:00smart tech Smart switches replace regular wall switches, to allow you to turn lights off and on, and dim them if you have dimmable bulbs installed. Should you have them? If you are motion-impaired, definitely. With a smart speaker and your voice, you can turn the lights off and on simply by asking. If you suspect a prowler, you can ask for all the lights to be turned on at once. You can also control the https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/10/smart-switches.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-4688808828353427622Fri, 11 Oct 2019 13:30:00 +00002019-10-11T08:30:09.644-05:00smart tech Smart bulbs are yet another entrant into the smart technology race. Smart bulbs can not only be programmed to turn off and on, but can also be programmed to deliver information via color. For example, with the help of a free app called IFTTT, your bulb can be programmed to announce the arrival of a family member, tell you when it is raining, and more. Many apps to control smart bulbs also allowhttps://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/10/smart-bulbs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-3138450053269376336Fri, 04 Oct 2019 16:58:00 +00002019-10-04T11:58:55.073-05:00safetysecurity We've seen the ads for the various services that are supposed to provide security. But you can have your own security system with a smart speaker, security cameras, and sensors for far less than the cost of those services. An entry-level system, depending on the layout of your space, can cost less than $200, and it's yours and can't be taken away from you. I own several Wyze cams and they https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/10/security.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-8318856109068740627Fri, 04 Oct 2019 13:30:00 +00002019-10-04T11:52:35.154-05:00automationmobilityrobot One of my dream appliances was a Roomba. You see, my allergies are extremely disabling, and vacuuming would make me sick for days. When I got my Roomba in 2005, my life changed for the better in so many ways! (In fact, she's so much more like a helpful pet than an appliance, that I've named her Floora.) There's much less dust because Floora runs two hours every day, and she doesn't kick up a https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/10/robots.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-3379169721531364807Fri, 27 Sep 2019 13:30:00 +00002019-09-28T11:57:40.596-05:00smart tech Any appliance can be made at least semi-smart with inexpensive smart outlets. If you have a smart speaker, you can turn appliances on and off with your voice; otherwise you can use your smart phone or tablet. When I was a child, it seemed like every time we went anywhere, we'd have to turn around halfway there at least once, because my mother was always worried she'd left the iron or the https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/09/smart-outlets.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-2890034047754865852Fri, 20 Sep 2019 13:30:00 +00002019-11-07T09:01:41.672-06:00smart tech Should you get a smart speaker? Google Home, Alexa, or something else? After a lot of research, I settled on a Google Home, and started with the Mini. I chose the Google speaker because of its integration with IFTTT (more on that another day). To get it to work, you'll need a free Gmail account. If you don't have one, you can get one (get someone to help you sign up if you need it). You'll https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/09/smart-speakers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-6506261659109043418Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:30:00 +00002019-09-13T13:15:57.938-05:00automationmobilitySome people have unreliable internet, or little to no internet access. Fortunately, home automation is still possible, although a little more clunky. For the basics, you don't even need a computer. I used X-10 technology since the 1980s, and it still works just as well as ever today, although the hardware is getting harder to find. Basically, you need one or more repeaters unless you live in a https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/09/home-automation-without-internet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8893337023624389904.post-8931605045425466327Sat, 07 Sep 2019 17:35:00 +00002019-09-10T07:16:09.464-05:00About All of us are getting older, and as we age, we are forced to make compromises. Most of us want to retain our independence as much as possible, and if this applies to you, then welcome! This is a space to explore technological improvements that will allow us to maintain our lifestyles as long as possible. I'm kind of a geek (as is evident in my nom de plume) so I love trying out technology to https://aging-in-place-tech.blogspot.com/2019/09/welcome.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Classicalgeek)0