GO GO Gadget Carers!

Some of us are old enough (or young enough?) to remember a cartoon called Inspector Gadget. He’d shout “Go Go Gadget Arms/Legs” and they would turn into the perfect gadget for the moment, although more often than not he would get it wrong and the comedy would begin.

For us carers, the right gadget at the right time can make our everyday a bit smoother, safer help us to feel a little more in control Once we have the right solution in place we may even wonder why we didn’t get this sorted sooner.

The Mobilise Community have been sharing  some top tips and recommendations for gadgets, adaptations and equipment that have helped them and the people they are caring for. 

How do I know what might help?

Our local Occupational Therapist (OT) is always a good place to start. They will make an assessment, make recommendations and may be able to provide free or on loan equipment.

We can ask our social services team, GP or other health care professional for a referral. If we or  our cared for are working, there might also be specialist support available from our employer.

Chat with carers across the UK from all situations sharing tips on what helped them in the Mobilise Hub. It might help us get creative with our solutions too - not all helpful things have been designed especially for people with disabilities, or health conditions, some everyday objects can be put to creative use.

"A visit from an OT was life changing, a Wendylett sheet and a bar at the side of the bed meant my husband could turn at night (and I got a full nights sleep). We kicked ourselves for not making contact with the OT sooner."

Where can I buy things?

Amazon, Argos, eBay, Currys, condition specific charity websites (like Parkinson’s UK Living Aids), Vinted, Backmarket and Facebook Marketplace are all reliable places where we can buy our gadgets online. We might also find second hand items in our local charity shops (if we get lucky). Nearby mobility shops  are also a good option if we want to see things in person and get advice. NRS Healthcare is  also highly recommended.

What about technology?

Some of us might  already have an Amazon Alexa, Google Hub or other smart home device and may not be using it to its full potential. Our smart phones can be life changing with the right app. Or perhaps we are not tech fans and imagine these things to be something for the “techies”.  This might be a way that someone else could help - getting things set up to be simple to use.

Here’s what a couple of other carers say:

"Mobile phone - log seizures, appointments, meds, social media (for my social life), email and text is my main form of communication."

"Amazon Alexa - alerts, communication and drop-in for peace of mind check-in. Together with Netzhome sensors these can give the carer just a little more freedom in your day."

"Echo Dot / Alexa - Routines are easy and useful. I’ve made routines to set sleep-timers for audio books while dimming lights and an “I need help” routine to send me alerts and reassure my wife while she waits for my response."

For more tips on how we can use technology to make our lives easier, we might want to read 10 top tips on using AI to make caring easier.

This could get expensive!

Some helpful gadgets can be fairly inexpensive and it might be worth the cost if it makes things feel a little easier for us. 

We might also want to set up a ‘wishlist’ of the top items we would love to have and check the prices on big sale days like black Friday or boxing day to see if they are reduced. 

Some stores also offer a gift card or discount if we swap in and trade our old pieces of equipment before buying something new which could help us save even money if we’re buying a new gadget. 

The increase in payment plans like Klarna, and PayPall gives us the chance to pay in 3 smaller interest-free instalments if the store offers this as an option (which many now do).  

We can also opt in for a buy-now, pay later option if this works better for us. If we buy our items with providers like Quidco, we could benefit from getting cash-back, free of charge. It is always worth checking if we’re eligible to use these options by reading the full terms and conditions first. 

SCOPE have some advice on buying and selling second hand equipment. Free-cycle also shows us items that people are giving away in our local area.

If we want to do some research before buying, take a look at the Research Institute for Disabled Customers (RIDC). They have lots of advice on choosing the right thing to help us. Their website includes a database of cars that have enough room in the boot for a wheelchair.  Some of the Mobilise  community have been panel members and had free products to test out too.

Most major retailers will offer a discount for carers which can help reduce the overall cost. To find out what additional discounts we could get, we might find it helpful to read the Mobilise guide on discounts for carers.

Some local authorities provide certain gadgets or tools free of charge. This might include things like smart speakers, pill boxes, door sensors, or adapted cutlery depending on our needs. It’s worth checking in with our local council to see if they offer something similar near you.

The top carer-recommended gadgets! Smart tech on a budget

Gadget	What does it do?	How will it help?	Where to buy it
Alexa/ Echo dot	A voice-controlled smart speaker that can set reminders, answer questions, and more.	Set medication reminders Create routines Check the weather with just our voice.	Amazon, Argos often have discounts on  smart speakers
Baby Monitors or smart doorbells	Audio or video monitors can be useful for monitoring someone vulnerable.	Offers peace of mind from another room	Amazon, Currys, John Lewis, any tech retailers
Stick-on Motion Lights	Battery-operated lights that activate with movement.	Prevents falls in dark areas.	IKEA, B&M, Amazon
Smart Plugs or bulbs	Plugs that can be controlled via smartphone or voice assistant.	Turns off appliances remotely or set timers. Helpful for saving energy.	Amazon, Currys, most tech retailers
WiFi Home Sensors (e.g., Netzhome)	Detects motion or changes in routine at home.	Monitors activity for reassurance	Amazon, Netzhome website,  eBay
Smart pill boxes	Pill organisers with alarms or connected apps.	Ensures medication isn’t missed	Amazon

Save time and energy in the kitchen

Gadget	What does it do?	How will it help?	Where to buy it
OXO Good Grips Veg Chopper	A safe and easy  chopper with a non-slip base and a comfortable grip.	Speeds up meal prep with less strain on our hands and wrists. Ideal for anyone with limited mobility or arthritis.	Amazon, Argos often have discounts on  smart speakers
Handheld  Blender or nutribullet  blender	A stick blender  for soups, smoothies or making solid food easier  for consumption.	A quick way to prep soft or puréed meals.	Amazon, Currys, John Lewis, any tech retailers
Electric tin opener	Opens tins and cans at the press of a button.	Opens cans or tins hands free	IKEA, B&M, Amazon
Air Fryer	Cooks food quickly using  little to no oil and in less time then an oven or  grill.	Great for prepping quick and  healthier meals with less energy usage and minimal cleanup needed!	Amazon, Currys, Aldi
Bendy straws	Reusable straws that can bend easily.	Makes it easier to drink fluids without having to tilt our head. Great for mobility issues or muscle weakness.	Amazon, most supermarkets and pound stores
Travel cups with screw lids	Pill organisers with alarms or connected apps.	Prevent drinks from making a mess and tipping over.	Amazon, eBay and supermarkets
Dycem Non-Slip Mats	Grippy mats that keep plates or utensils in place.	Prevents spills and slips during mealtimes. Helpful for those with shaky hands.	Amazon or eBay
Jelly drops	Gummies that are 90% water used to boost hydration.	Keep someone hydrated if they don’t or forget to drink water during the day.	Jelly Drops website

Others gadgets to help us (and them) get around safely 

Gadget	What does it do?	How will it help?	Where to find it
Radar Key	Universal key that unlocks accessible toilets across the UK.	Access locked public disabled toilets, especially when and about with someone with a wheelchair or incontinence.	Amazon, eBay
Wendylett Sheet	Slippery sheet that helps someone turn more easily in bed.	Move or turn in bed with more ease	eBay, Facebook marketplace and Amazon
Car cane (lever handle)	A sturdy handle that fits into a car door latch.	Extra support for getting in and out of a car safely.	Amazon, mobility shops
Travel blackout curtains	Portable curtains to block out light.	Useful for sleep during travel or hospital stays, and for people who are sensitive to light.	Argos, Dunelm, eBay and Amazon
Fiddle toys, sensory objects	Tactile toys like stretchy bands, squishy balls or textured fabrics.	Reduces anxiety and restlessness Especially good for people with sensory needs or autism.	Amazon, eBay, The Works
Electric hot water bottle	Plug in a version of a hot water bottle that can heat up safely.	Keeps us warm in the winter without the need to use the kettle or microwave.	Argos, Amazon
Suction grab rails	Portable safety handles with suction cup fitting which we can put around the house or bathroom.	Prevent falls and help increase stability when getting out of the shower or bath.	Amazon

Final thoughts

Thank you to the Mobilise community for sharing the top gadgets that have helped! Please feel free to add any ideas over in the Mobilise Hub! 

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