The Black & Decker JW200 Lids Off Jar Opener is a thoughtful gift for the elderly and for all those who do not have strong hands. As folks get older,even something as simple as opening a jar can become quite a challenge. The hands become shaky and lose their strength and grip and stuff goes off the menu because the jars cannot be opened. A good electric jar opener solves the problem. It is like buying a pair of really strong hands! All you do is place a jar in the machine, close the holders on the bottom of the jar, and then lower the top down to the lid. The bottom holds the jar in place and the top engages the lid. Then you push a button and it turns the lid and twists it off. No more banging, prying or using hot water. Let us take a closer look at the The Black & Decker JW200 Lids Off Jar Opener and its variants to see why it would make a perfect gift for grandma.
Black & Decker JW200BM Lids Off Jar Opener, Stainless
It is a little awkward at first but once you figure out how to get the base adjustment to work right there’s nothing to it.
What do we need from a Jar Opener?
and how does the Black & Decker JW200 fulfill these needs?
Open Jars of all sizes easily and safely The JW200 easily opens pickle jars, peanut butter jars, oil bottles, sauce bottles, oregano bottles and insulated coffee mugs
Operate with minimum muscle strength The JW200 is an automatic battery operated jar opener with effortless push button operation. It required hardly any gripping or muscle strength and is ideal for the elderly and for those with arthritis
Rugged and Long lasting Simple design, very few parts and going strong for more than 12 years since it was released in 2003.
Compact – Occupy less spaceMeasuring 8-1/2 inches wide by 7-3/4 inches deep by 10 inches high, the JW200 occupies very little space and can fit into kitchen cabinets easily.
The Best Radio for the Elderly – Sangean WR-11SE AM/FM Table Top Radio
The Sangean WR-11SE is the best Radio gift for the elderly. A lot of folks from the older generation prefer to listen to the radio – one that has good sound quality and is simple to use. Let us take a closer look at the Sangean WR-11SE and see why it is the ideal choice as a easy to use radio for the elderly .
Sangean WR-11SE AM/FM Table Top Radio
The back lit dial is very handy at night with the lights out..
What do we need from a Radio?
and how does the Sangean WR-11SE fulfill these needs?
Good Reception
With Strong and clear tuning, the WR-11SE picks up even distant FM stations clearly. It gets great reception on both AM and FM all along the dial.
Easy to use
This model is designed for easy usage. It has just three knobs. A volume control, An AM-FM selector and the large Tuner Knob.
Sturdy and Simple
Housed in a wooden cabinet with walnut finish, this unit is well built and can take a few knocks.Its classy and retro looks fit well on any bedside table.
Sound Quality
The Sangean WR-11SE beats the competition hands down when it comes to sound quality. The only model with better sound is the Sangean WR-12 which comes with bass and treble controls.
External Antenna If you want to pick up distant stations, you may need an external antenna. The WR-11SE has a 75ohm external fm antenna socket and another terminal for external AM antenna. A good choice for an external antenna is the Parts Express FM Dipole Antenna combined with the Parts Express Push-On “F” Type Balun.
Some variants and alternatives of the Sangean WR-11SE
Crosley have made radios since the 1920’s. This model looks almost identical to a 1932 Crosley model 125. It is a simple radio with no tone control and just the on-off-volume knob, a selector switch for AM/FM, and a tuning dial. Another fantastic radio for elderly parents and grandparents. The sound quality is not as good as the Sangean and The light that illuminates the dial burns out fast and cannot be replaced.
The Best Alarm Clock for the Elderly – Sonic Alert SB300
The Sonic Alert SB300 is the best alarm clock gift for the elderly – and others too. Young and old, all of us need a bit of a push to wake up at the right time! A well selected alarm clock can make it a bit more easier to get up on time ( and hit the snooze button and go back to sleep :0( ) . What we need is a simple clock which shows the correct time, is loud enough and as a large enough display. Let us take a closer look at the Sonic Alert SB300 and see why it fits the bill.
Sonic Alert SB300 Sonic Boom Loud Vibrating Alarm Clock with Large Display
If the loud alarm and flashing lights don’t wake you, the earthquake effect of the bed shaker surely will.
What do we need from an Alarm Clock?
and how does the Sonic Alert Sonic Boom fulfill these needs?
Some of the basic requirements from an Alarm Clock:
Be Loud enough to wake you up
At 113 decibels, the Sonic Boom is among the loudest. Perfect for the hard of hearing or hearing impaired. At the same time, the tone and volume can be adjusted. You can set the alarm from soft to extra loud via a dial. You can also change the tone from low to high via another dial.
Large Display to show the time
For those who keep the alarm clock at some distance, peering through the darkness to note the time can be tiresome. The SB300 Sonic Boom has a large 1.8″ LED Display which is visible from a distance
Vibrating Alarm to Shake
A feature many folks look for in an alarm clock now a days is the bed shaker or vibrating alarm to shake you awake. The SB300 has a battery opearated vibrating alarm. As one user put it – “Holy Moly, it’s an earthquake!”
Maintain the correct time
The SB300 has battery backup to maintain the time during power outages
Options
This alarm clock has 4 settings on the right side: buzz/vib – vib – buzz – off.
You can choose if you only want the vibrator to wake you up or just the buzzing. Or both or none
So what gives?
All gizmos have their plusses and minuses. This one has a not so sturdy base and can fall over easily. Also the sound is quite jarring on the ear. If you prefer a more soothing wake up call, you may not like the SB300. The cord is only 4′, though Sonic Alert provide an additional 15′ extension cord as an add on
Some variants of the SB300
Dual Alarm Sonic Boom
The SB200 has all the features of the SB300 plus a dual alarm feature
We have reviewed the ICFC1T as a suitable clock radio for the seniors due to its simplicity and ease of use. However, not all elderly folks find tech stuff confusing. Quite a large number of them embrace technology and like to play around with gadgets ( with some help from grandchildren sometimes 🙂 ). These folks expect all the latest bells and whistles in their gizmos. The Westclox 81012BT Dual Clock Radio is a Clock Radio, which, at a budget price, comes with the features found in high end clock radios costing two to three times more!
What do we need from a Modern Clock Radio?
and how does the Westclox 81012BT Dual Clock Radio fulfill these needs?
Standard Features
The usual features that all good clock radios have – Dual Alarm with Snooze, Brightness Control, Digital FM Radio Tuning with Preset Stations, Ease of use. The 81012BT has them all.
Large Display
This model has 1.2″ backlit LED display which is pretty large and easily visible from a fair distance. The jumbo sized models in the market usually have 1.8″ displays, so this one is almost as big as the largest displays.
USB Charging
Since most people like to keep their cellphones within reach at their bedside, a USB charging port in a clock radio comes in handy to charge the phone.
Bluetooth
In a wireless connected home, even the humble clock radio is not left out! With Bluetooth connectivity, you can Connect & Stream Music Wirelessly from Bluetooth Devices to your Westclox 81012BT. So if the Radio Jockey at your favourite FM Station is having an off day, you can go to sleep listening to your favourite music from your ipod or mp3 player.
Some Alternatives – More Clock Radios with Bluetooth
Sony ICFC1T Dual Alarm Clock Radio is a wonderful clock radio gift for senior citizens. Last year, we had reviewed the Sony Clock Radio ICF-C318 Dream Machine, which was a great product, ideal for all those who prefer simplicity and a no-frills approach. However, the ICF-C318 and C218 have both been discontinued by Sony, I don’t know why. This is a major grouse I have against these gadget companies. They put in the hard yards, create different models of different products. Some succeed, some don’t. You would expect them to drop the models that don’t succeed and continue producing the ones that do. But they discontinue all old models in just a year or two. The consumers who have accepted the good products can’t get the same models a year or two later and have to research and hunt all over again. This is what I have done now to find a new model which fulfills the needs of the elderly – a clock radio which is easy to use, simple to understand and rugged enough to withstand a few unintended knocks
Sony ICFC1T Dual Alarm Clock Radio, White
This is a simple and functional alarm clock, clean and simple with aesthetically pleasing cubical design
What do we need from a Clock Radio?
and how does the new Sony Clock Radio fulfill these needs?
Some of the basic requirements from a Clock Radio:
Numbers should be easily visible
The Sony ICFC1T has large, easy-to-read, backlit LCD display with jumbo LEDs, which is easily viewable from across the room even when one is half awake and bleary eyed. You can change the light intensity.
Dual alarm for two people to use the same clock
With other clocks, to use the same alarm clock for two people, the one who rises first has to reset the alarm for the second person.The Sony C318 has a two alarm feature which is very easy to program. Set the A alarm for one and the B alarm for another and you are done.
Maintain Time and Alarm Settings even after a Power Outage
The Sony ICFC1T has full power memory back up, which is great if you have a short power outage.
it has a battery back-up (battery is included and already installed) and it loses no time.
The clock will automatically reset itself after a power outage.
Beep Volume
This clock radio has a light beep to start with, but the beeps gradually increase in frequency. No jarring blasts at one go.
Easy Alarm Setting
When you set the alarm time on this clock, you can go backward or forward. Some alarm clocks can only go forward and it takes forever; Setting this alarm is a breeze. Setting the alarm times on this radio are the fastest and easiest.
Like all stuff, the ICFC1T has its pros and cons. Let us review some other models of clock radios which do not have the disadvantages of this model.
The Best Clock Radio for the Elderly – Sony Clock Radio ICF-C318
The Sony Clock Radio ICF-C318 Dream Machine is the ideal clock radio gift for the elderly and for all those who prefer simplicity and a no-frills approach. With all the technological advances, it can sometimes be difficult to select and use something as simple as an alarm clock. The reason is, a lot of the gadgets and gizmos these days come with many selectable features and settings. One needs to spend a lot of time understanding these features and settings. This is not always easy, particularly for those from the earlier generations who are sometimes befuddled by electronics technology. What they need is something that works right out of the box and serves the basic purpose. Let us take a closer look at the Sony Clock Radio ICF-C318 Dream Machine and its variants to see why it fulfills this requirement perfectly
Note: Sony have discontinued the Dream Machine models, including the ICF-C318. We have reviewed the ICFC1T as a suitable alternative.
Sony ICF-C318 Automatic Time Set Clock Radio with Dual Alarm (White)
The white is really more girly than the blacks and grays of most alarm clocks. This clock radio is small and inexpensive, with no funky extra wires and no external antennae.
What do we need from a Clock Radio?
and how does the Sony Clock Radio fulfill these needs?
Some of the basic requirements from a Clock Radio:
Numbers should be easily visible
The Sony C318 has a 0.9" green LED display, which is easily viewable from across the room even when one is half awake and bleary eyed. You can change the light intensity and the color of the light.
Dual alarm for two people to use the same clock
With other clocks, to use the same alarm clock for two people, the one who rises first has to reset the alarm for the second person.The Sony C318 has a two alarm feature which is very easy to program. Set the A alarm for one and the B alarm for another and you are done.
Main tain Time and Alarm Settings even after a Power Outage
The Sony Dream Machine has full power memory back up, which is great if you have a short power outage.
it has a battery back-up (battery is included and already installed) and it loses no time.
The clock will automatically reset itself after a power outage.
Beep Volume
This clock radio has light beep with no volume control, but the beeps gradually increase in frequency. No jarring blasts at one go.
Easy Alarm Setting
When you set the alarm time on this clock, you can go backward or forward. Some alarm clocks can only go forward and it takes forever; Setting this alarm is a breeze. Setting the alarm times on this radio are the fastest and easiest. Also, the alarm clock setting is a dial that is right on top. This is easier than a lot of alarm clocks that have the slide switch, often on the side where you can’t see it.
Sony Clock Radio InstructionsSony Clock Radio Instructions. Sony clock radios are convenient and full-featured devices used as alarm clocks, CD players and radios. The clocks have three different alarm settings, which take advantage of the built in CD player, radio or the standard buzzer sound. In addition, you can listen to yo
How to Set a Sony Dream Machine Alarm ClockHow to Set a Sony Dream Machine Alarm Clock. The Dream Machine is a line of clock radios produced by Sony, which includes budget-priced models under $25 to high-end units with built-in webcams and other security features. Most of these devices are easy to operate and involve pressing just a few butt
