When it comes to the world of independent living aids, there can be so many choices that you miss out on finding those truly unique products, the ones that could really make a difference in your everyday life. To keep you in the know of daily living aids you may not have known about, we’ve put together a list of some of our favourite products for people with complex needs. Here, you’ll find products that make your life easier and could make a huge impact on how you get around day-to-day.
The Uccello Kettle, The Easy Pour Kettle
| "Bought for our 90 year old mum who is partially sighted & also struggles lifting due to a bad shoulder, it is easy to use & easy for her to fill without having to lift it. Would definitely recommend." |
| Catherine Mitchell, TrustPilot review 27/03/2022 |
Ergonomic and easy to use, this Easy Pour Kettle from Uccello is a game-changer for anyone who loves a cuppa but finds it difficult to pour boiling water from their existing kettle. The kettle is cradled on a kettle tipper allowing you to simply tip it and pour the boiling water into your cup without having to lift it up. This helps to reduce your risk of spilling the water and burning yourself. There’s also less strain involved as you aren’t lifting anything.
The kettle is lightweight, making it easier to lift and fill with water as required, but you could also fill it up using a jug if that’s more manageable for you.
Kitchen Workstation
| "Made peeling and chopping a much safer activity for my dad with his reduced sensation and strength in his right side from a brain tumour" |
| Emma Jameson, TrustPilot review 20/03/2022 |
Preparing food to make a meal can be very difficult if you have weakness or limited use of one hand. There may also be safety risks if you’re chopping something that could roll or move, causing the knife to slip. The versatile Kitchen Workstation is designed to help with this as it has a clamp to hold whatever you’re cutting in place, whether that’s vegetables or perhaps a loaf of bread. You could also use this chopping board for disabled people to hold a bottle or a jar, so you can open it more easily.
Among its other features are the grating and slicing box, which can be mounted on the surface of the board, so it’s held in place, and a small group of spikes to hold fruit or vegetables in place while they’re peeled. One of many of our products that make your life easier, specialised kitchen aids such as these can make a huge difference in making meal preparation much simpler.
Button Hook with Zip Pull
| "Two very useful simple tools in one, which my dear wife truly appreciates." |
| Mr D. Storey, TrustPilot review 07/05/2020 |
Don’t let fiddly, awkward buttons hold you back from wearing the clothes you love. The Button Hook with Zip Pull pushes through the buttonhole of the item of clothing and hooks over the button, allowing you to then pull it through. Dressing aids like these are handy for anyone, but especially those who have arthritis or a reduced grip in their hands.
As an extra bonus, on the other side is a zip pull that helps to make zipping up your jeans, skirt, or trousers that little bit easier as you don’t need to try and grab the fiddly little zip with your fingers.
This useful gadget is small enough that it can fit in a bag or handbag, so you can take it with you wherever you go.
Motion Sensor Light
| "This light has been great for us ,we have an elderly relative who has dementia and thinks she can still do things If she gets up through the night she never put on bed light and fumbles in the dark resulting in a few falls so this way she does need to and we can relax a bit knowing the light works goes on and off automatically" |
| R Douglas, TrustPilot review 31/01/2022 |
Heading anywhere in your home when it’s dark can be a worry – especially when it’s late at night and you don’t want to turn on the main light. This is where the Motion Sensor Light comes in handy. It's a battery-powered light, so you won’t need to try to find a free plug socket somewhere. It also means you can put it wherever you need it, whether that’s in the hallway leading to the bathroom, on the stairs, or even under your bed, so the light activates when you get up.
The ultra-bright light only comes on when motion is detected and will remain lit for 30 seconds after movement stops. Lamps for visually impaired people such as these are a great way to help keep you safe at night. They’re ideal for helping to reduce your risk of falling, as you’ll be able to see any trip hazards (or pets) that lie in your path.
Wade Dignity Two Handled Mug
| "Ordered this for my mum who has arthritis, it's much easier for her to hold with the two handles and is a ceramic one as she didn't want a plastic one, she's very happy with it" |
| Junet55, TrustPilot review 10/07/2020 |
There’s an inherent joy in being able to sit back with a relaxing cuppa, but for those who find it difficult to hold a standard mug, it can be harder to enjoy that simple pleasure. This is where the Wade Dignity Two-Handled Mug can help. It has two handles, which help to offer a much more stable hold without having to grip the potentially scalding mug itself.
The extra control offered by having two handles means you can continue to enjoy your favourite hot drinks without having to worry so much about spills or inadvertently dropping the mug. This one of our many products for people with complex needs is made from vitrified earthenware with added alumina for extra strength. Another bonus of this mug is that it wouldn’t look out of place in any cup cupboard.
Pashmina Clothing Protector
| "Elegant and looks good, protects clothes well without looking “institutional” " |
| Ronald Barber, TrustPilot review 16/03/2022 |
Needing a bib when eating or drinking can sometimes leave you feeling embarrassed or a little awkward. If you’re finding that you’re avoiding social situations where you may need to eat or drink, there are products available to help you out, such as the Pashmina Clothing Protector.
The Pashmina Clothing Protector has been designed to look like an ordinary, stylish accessory to any outfit while also acting as an adult bib to keep your clothes clean and dry. With this product, no one would be any the wiser that you’re wearing a clothing protector. It comes in a variety of patterns and colours, so you can match it more to your personal style. It’s machine washable and can also be tumble-dried, so it’s easier to clean it between uses.
Plug Tugs
| "These are a really good idea and a great help pulling out stubborn plugs with my painful wrist and fingers. They are simple to fit and the labels in the pack are a useful extra touch. The ordering process was easy and they arrived fairly quickly. Very pleased with them." |
| Sylvia, TrustPilot review 10/03/2021 |
Plugs aren’t really something you always think about in daily life, unless you’re struggling to unplug something. Often plugs can be difficult to remove, especially if your grip is a little weaker than you’d like, or it can be difficult to know which plug needs removing in the first place if the wires have got in a tangle.
Plug Tugs are the ingenious solution to one of life’s little irritations. These household aids are designed to wrap around the plug, creating a little handle that makes it easier to remove the plug from the socket. They also come with labels, so you can label the plugs and finally know which one is which when you need to unplug something.
Buckingham Easywipe Bottom Wiper
| "Very helpful for someone like me who has chronic arthritis. Allows me to feel clean." |
| Miss Mee, TrustPilot review 07/04/2022 |
Going to the toilet is something people very, very rarely want to talk about. However, if your mobility is becoming limited, you may find yourself needing to ask for help. To help you maintain independence, there are certain types of products for people with complex needs that can simplify the process. The Buckingham Easywipe Bottom Wiper offers a way for you to maintain your independence in the toilet without needing to ask for assistance.
This bottom wiper was specially designed by an Occupational Therapist to help make wiping up after using the toilet easier. The toilet roll or wet wipe is wrapped around the end, and then, once used, the plunger mechanism in the top will release it from the device, dropping it into the toilet or bin without you having to touch the paper.
Rosebud Reminder Clock
| "Bought this for my elderly father to keep him on track with time of day and meal times etc. Highly recommend this product" |
| Caroline Holmes, TrustPilot review 06/07/2021 |
If you or someone you care for is living with dementia, you may find that remembering to do certain tasks in the day or knowing the time or date is becoming a little tricky. Due to the nature of the condition, making lists and writing post-it reminders may not be as helpful as they used to be either.
The Rosebud Reminder Clock is a great option to consider to help make daily life that little bit easier. Not only will it tell you the date and time, but it also has 17 unique alarms to help remind you of a particular task. You can also add your own text and audio reminders to it, to help remind you of important events or things that you need to remember in a day.
Those with cognitive impairment, autism or poor eyesight may also find the features of large display clocks for visually impaired people such as this one useful.
More daily living aids at Complete Care Shop
If you’re looking to find more daily living aids to simplify the day-to-day, check out our full list of products for daily living made easy. Who knows what hidden gem you might find?
If you need help deciding if a particular aid is right for you, be sure to use our Expert Advice Service where one of our Occupational Therapists will be able to advise you on which ones will be the most beneficial. If you are looking for help with any other queries, don’t hesitate to contact us.