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Great Gadgets for Assisted or Independent Living Seniors

Independent living products for seniors on the market today are as innovative as they are helpful. Some also serve to bridge the digital generation gap so that seniors can retain a certain level of independence and confidence. Great gift ideas too!

Here is a list of our top 10 picks!

1. Automatic jar opener

The Hamilton Beach Open Ease Automatic Jar Opener makes quick work of those pesky jars, which can be extremely difficult for even young people. Helps seniors with arthritis or strength issues open all kinds of stubborn jars and bottles – even child-proof prescription bottles!


2.Electronic calendar for seniors

For seniors (or anyone) with memory issues, this Memory Loss Digital Calendar clock  clearly spells out the full DAY of the Week, MONTH and DATE in large, bold letters – with no confusing abbreviations. The large, bright and clear display can be seen from across the room and is invaluable for the visually impaired and the elderly.


3. Temperature-activated flow reducer

Attach this anti-scald device, to a faucet or showerhead to ensure the water stays at a safe temperature. Easy to install – no plumber needed! Can be used in private & public housing, child care centers, hotels & nursing homes. Automatically shuts-off water to a trickle before scalding occurs!


4. Motion-activated toilet night light

Just when you thought you’ve seen everything! This motion-activated toilet night light illuminates the entire bathroom so you don’t have to waste energy with a night light or keep sleep-disrupted overhead lights turned on. The built in motion sensor detects body heat to automatically illuminate the room when you enter and shut off when you leave at night. And you can choose your color, too!


5. Rocking garden seat

Being outdoors and gardening is a wonderful pastime but can be physically demanding as we age. It’s especially hard on the knees and back. With the height-adjustable, patented Garden Rocker Seat, the contoured rocking base works with you while you are weeding, planting, or just performing routine chores around the home.


6. TV listening speaker

My mother swears by this speaker! With two hearing aids, she used to blast the volume, which can be annoying to other people in the home, neighbors, or even pets. The Serene Innovations Listening Speaker enables her to hear words clearly right next to her with adjustable audio levels. It’s also portable for when you’re thirsty but don’t want to miss the dialogue when getting a glass of water.


7. Simple big button remote control

Designed for seniors in mind, this remote uses big button text for easy-to-see use, even in the dark. It also includes a strong but comfortable wrist strap to prevent it from getting lost. The remote controls both the TV and cable box and programming is simple. Especially helpful to people with low or impaired vision.


8. Doorbell-telephone flashing-light signaler

Easy to install and operate, this wireless doorbell plugs into any standard wall outlet. Use it for front, side, or back doors to gain security and peace of mind. There is a variety of melodies to choose from, but the flashing light will always work even if you set the doorbell to silent-mode.


9. Portable walking cane / chair combo

Having the ability to sit and rest comfortably can make life much more enjoyable, and allows you to stroll longer and further. This lightweight portable walking chair gives you much-needed support when you need it the most. It’s easy to fold up using the attached Velcro strap when you want to use it as a cane.


10. Smart Light Outlet

If you are concerned about your loved one getting up at night and falling, or – if they have memory issues – wandering, the Smart Light Outlet will turn on a light when triggered by a cordless floor or bed mat. The cordless monitor alerts you even if you’re in another room while providing illumination when someone gets out of bed.

These and other products can be a great help for seniors to extend their independence to improve their safety and comfort while providing caregivers with peace of mind!

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https://cadburycommons.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TV-Listening-Speaker.jpg 370 350 Elizabeth https://cadburycommons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/CC-logo-300x81.png Elizabeth2020-08-27 16:41:272022-03-29 20:57:48Great Gadgets for Assisted or Independent Living Seniors

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Jimmy is a graduate of Johnson & Wales in Rhode Island with a Culinary Art Degree.  He worked at several different Boston area restaurants working his way up from Sous Chef, Chef to Executive Chef.  Prior to joining Cadbury Commons in 2010, Jimmy was the Executive Chef at The Ship.  Jimmy enjoys creating whimsical and artistic food displays for our residents.

Nancy Gonsalves is a graduate of the University of Phoenix with a BA in Human Services Management.  She has experience as residential manager, case/medical management, Alzheimer’s, and mental health.  During the pandemic she switched careers to memory care in the assisted living communities.  She is certified as a Dementia Practitioner (CDP), Montessori Practitioner (CMDCP), and a Support Group Facilitator (CDSGF).  She has volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Association for many years as a support group facilitator and advocate for community recognition of Dementia (Dementia Friendly MA).

Erika Gethers  has worked at Cadbury Commons since 2017. After graduating from Newbury College with a B.S in Hotel, Restaurant & Service Management Hotel Administration, she began her career at Cadbury as a front-desk concierge, quickly being promoted to Lead Concierge. She was then promoted to Director of Activities in Memory Care based upon her background as an event planner of her own company and her love for working with the residents in our dementia care community. Erika is now excited to expand her role to Director of Memory Care.  After three years in this industry Erika has found her passion for working with the senior population and especially those with various forms of dementia.

Since diving into this industry Erika has jumped at opportunities to learn as much as possible. For three years in a row she attended the Map through the Maze Conference by the Alzheimer’s Association, where she educated herself on various aspects of Alzheimer’s disease, staffing and activities. In 2020 she attained her certification as an Active Aging Specialist by SCW Fitness Education. She continues to learn more about the aging process, the different aspects of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and improved ways to keep your loved ones engaged in group sessions, Montessori-based activities, and one-to-one interactions with our staff. She loves to interact with residents and joins activities when possible.  She takes great pride in the work she does and the service she provides for staff, families and residents.

In her spare time she is an event producer for her own company producing Popup Markets that bring small businesses and the local community together, as well as producing charity fashion shows.  Erika also works as a home companion for older adults in need of help.

Julie Lund has been a nurse for 21 years. She graduated from Curry College with a Bachelor’s in Nursing in 1996 and worked briefly in Long-Term Care. Soon after, she focused her career in psychiatric nursing. She worked in an in-patient psychiatric setting for 16+ years. During that time, she earned a Master of Arts in Counselling degree from Gordon-Connell Theological Seminary. She shifted gears to work in Home Care, into working for a VNA for a little over 4 years.

By happenstance, Julie found her way into Assisted Living. Julie Joined Cadbury Commons in July of 2017. With 9+ years of management experience, she has brought her management, organizational and people skills to help Cadbury to continue to evolve in meeting the ever changing and individualized needs of our residents and families. As Associate Executive Director, Julie’s focus will be on training, hiring and implementation of core policies and procedures.

Husain Yassin, a world traveler, graduated with a degree in Electronic Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1996.  He has worked in Property Management, managing services in an apartment complex, since 2003. In that position, he honed his maintenance and management skills.

Husain was hired as Facilities Director at Cadbury in September 2014. He has elevated the art of building services and has been keeping our Community clean, functioning and beautiful, inside and out.

 

Kristen is a life long resident of NH and graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Nashua, NH in 1999. She has maintained NH and Massachusetts nursing licenses since her graduation from nursing school. Over her 25 years of nursing, Kristen has worked in many different healthcare settings and with many different types of patients. Early in her career she focused on her love for children and cared for terminally ill children in their home- as well as in a Pediatric doctors office setting. She went on to work with the elderly population and after starting on the ground level, earned several promotions in the Long Term Care and Assisted Living settings. She held the position of Assistant Director of Nursing and Staff Development Coordinator at Langdon Place in Nashua NH, as well as the Resident Care Director position at Ledge wood Bay in Milford, NH.

Kristen also has her nurse teaching license in NH and taught nursing assistant classes.  She has worked in other areas such as homecare/VNA, Quality Assurance Case Manager, Psychiatrics, and Unit Manager of skilled LTC facilities. Kristen has a wealth of experience both clinically and in leadership roles.

Kristen prides herself on being very professional, thorough, and organized. She has a genuine, humble, and kind heart.

In her short time here at Cadbury, she has already rolled out and implemented ways in which workflows can be more efficient and exceptional service to our valued residents and their families at Cadbury can remain at the forefront.

Kristen is looking forward to knowing each resident personally and growing with the Cadbury team in her position as Director of Resident Care.

Elizabeth Shahinian graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. Upon graduation, she entered into a career in sales. Her career spans over 30 years in Corporate Sales and Consulting.

In 2007, she collaborated with a colleague and researched how we care for seniors. For her, it seemed a natural career and life progression to work with seniors in an Assisted Living environment, guiding families through all options available to care for their loved ones. Elizabeth joined Cadbury Commons in the fall of 2015.

Brian Bunnell has served as our Director of Community Programs since 2013, having been promoted from his prior role as an Activities Specialist. Brian is a musician, holding degrees in Music Education and Trumpet Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, in Baltimore.

Brian takes great pride in the quality of engaging programs at Cadbury Commons. The Programs Department aims to approach all groups and interactions from an adult-centered perspective. He, with resident guidance, loves to present programs and activities that are genuinely stimulating, fun, and educational.

In his spare time, Brian performs with the Symphony Orchestra, and leads its operations as President of the Board of Directors.

Julie Lund has been a nurse for 21 years. She graduated from Curry College with a Bachelor’s in Nursing in 1996 and worked briefly in Long-Term Care. Soon after, she focused her career in psychiatric nursing. She worked in an in-patient psychiatric setting for 16+ years. During that time, she earned a Master of Arts in Counselling degree from Gordon-Connell Theological Seminary. She shifted gears to work in Home Care, into working for a VNA for a little over 4 years.

By happenstance, Julie found her way into Assisted Living. Julie Joined Cadbury Commons in July of 2017. With 9+ years of management experience, she has brought her management, organizational and people skills to help Cadbury to continue to evolve in meeting the ever changing and individualized needs of our residents and families. As Associate Executive Director, Julie’s focus will be on training, hiring and implementation of core policies and procedures.

Frank M. Petras has been in the Assisted Living and Senior Housing business for more than 20 years. His passion for seniors began when he saw his then 90-year-old grandfather climb the ladder of his two-story house to finish painting it. That moment solidified his desire to help people stay active as a way to fully enjoy life.

Frank received his B. A. in Psychology from Bates College in Lewiston Maine. While working as the Director of two public housing authorities on the north shore, he attended night school and received his M.B.A from the University of Massachusetts/Boston. He has served as Executive Director in both large and small senior living organizations in the last couple of decades, worked as a member of the Mass ALA education committee, and won local awards at his communities for promoting a green workplace.

Frank has a special affinity for the area as he worked as a bar back in Harvard square with a then grad student Charlie Baker at the Oxford Ale House. He is looking forward to sharing all of his experience and interests with the families and residents of Cadbury Commons.

Jeff Arnold began his career as a dishwasher for Northeastern University in the early 80’s. Since then, Jeff worked his way through the ranks at Northeastern from waiter to chef to Faculty Dining Room and Event Planning Manager, hosting events at Northeastern for notables including President Bill Clinton, Senator Ted Kennedy and President of the then Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, to name a few.

Jeff took a break from Northeastern to help care for his father who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. After learning about the disease through his own experience, Jeff found himself drawn to working with older adults.
Jeff has been Director of Dining Services at Cadbury Commons since 2010 and brings his culinary and planning skills to provide Cadbury a well-run dining room and delicious meals.

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