Advice for Seniors and Disabled:

Something that has helped me as a senior is installing cameras around my house and outside.

Got Google Nest that doesn’t charge a service to use them. Cashier in HomeDepot told me about this. Have a camera in my basement that gives me a view of my oil tank so I can see what the level is. This avoids using the stairs that are a challenge now.

Put one in my living room and bedroom along with Google speakers that I can ask the time, the weather and even play music or the sound of the ocean. It is great to have a machine I can just talk to and it will answer my questions without having to find my phone.

Have a camera in the front door area and one in the back that has a view of my car. Found out Con Ed came with the camera since they did not leave a note. They changed the gas cover outside. I also got a delivery that I was expecting to come in 2 weeks. I saw this on the camera before I got the message that the package was delivered. It was raining so I am glad to take it inside before it was soaked.

These cameras are for my use and do not have an alarm but surely, they help me at 72. There are other systems and some that cost a lot of money not just for the equipment but for the services. There is a service from Google you can pay like $60 a yr to add a connection to 911 if you have an emergency and another for $120 a yr for added security.

Other things to help seniors include:

American Redcross putting in smoke detectors at no cost.

Putting up railings and ramps for areas that have steps.

Putting up solar run night lights so I do not have to change bulbs or use my electricity.

Changing a ceiling light to one that is easy to change the bulb without those heavy globes.

Changing my lawns to eliminate mowing and blowing. Just let back yard go wild and front lawn is now full of plants that will grow to cover much of the space where there is mulch now instead of grass.

Getting a smaller garbage can from the city for the automatic pickups. Big difference in weight and easier to put out.

Using apps for sanitation and parking so I know when to put out trash, recyclables and paper. (www.parkwhiteplains.com) (www.cityofwhiteplains.com/102/Public-Works)

Composting to eliminate food trash that is just smelly as it rots and helping the environment. Use eggshells to help the soil. Collect them after washing insides where the smelly part is and crush.

Mulching yard debris.

Grab bars added to shower and near toilet.

High toilets to replace old ones.

Install an outdoor light bulb that goes off when the sun comes up.

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