10 Totally Awesome and Accessible Valentine's Day 2015 Gifts for Him and Her

Valentine's Day 2015 is fast approaching and whether you have been with your loved one for 5 months, 15 years or 50 years, it's always a good idea to think outside the box when it comes to Valentine's Day gifts. At MaxiAids, we pride ourselves on providing solutions on a daily basis that add accessibility and enhance the lives of everyone we serve, and Valentine's Day is no different. From cozy shawls to keep her warm to magnifiers that help him or her see, MaxiAids presents 10 Totally Awesome and Accessible Valentine's Day 2015 Gifts for Him and Her.

5 Valentine's Day 2015 Gift Ideas For Her

1. Shoulder Cozy Polar Fleece Shawl with Pockets - Maroon. Also available in Light Blue, Navy Blue and Black

Purpose: To keep her warm and comfortable in the winter months.

Shoulder Cozy Polar Fleece Shawl with Pockets - Maroon - MaxiAids.com

2. Natural 5x-1x Lighted Makeup Mirror - Black

Purpose: Helps her see more clearly and easily when applying makeup, color-matching or putting in contact lenses. 

Natural 5x-1x Lighted Makeup Mirror - Black - MaxiAids

3. Sonic Boom Sweetheart Alarm Clock

Purpose: Extra-loud vibrating alarm clock with stylish hot pink, heart-shaped design.

Sonic Boom Sweetheart Alarm Clock - MaxiAids.com

4. Pro Style Bonnet Hair Dryer for Hands-Free Drying

Purpose: Enables her to dry her hair without having to grasp and hold a handheld blow dryer.

Pro Style Bonnet Hair Dryer for Hands-Free Drying - MaxiAids

5. Mystique ILY Bracelet with 0.5-in Gold Plated Charm and Purple Beads. Also available in Silver. 

Purpose: Show your love for her and let her show her love for sign language and deaf culture.

Mystique ILY Bracelet with 0.5-in. Gold-Plated Charm and Purple Beads - MaxiAids

5 Valentine's Day 2015 Gift Ideas For Him

1. Reizen Talking Atomic Watch with White Face and Black Numbers - Leather Band

Purpose: Announces the time and even sets itself. Perfect for low vision or visually impaired.

Reizen Talking Atomic Watch with White Face and Black Numbers - Leather Band - MaxiAids

2. LEVO G2 Hands Free Bookholder - Reading Book Stand

Purpose: Takes the fatigue and stress out of reading so he can read his favorite books without any straining.

LEVO G2 Hands Free Bookholder - Reading Book Stand - MaxiAids

3. The Larry 8 LED Pocket Work Light - Red. Also available in Yellow, Blue and Gray.

Purpose: Provides powerful and portable light with 8 LEDs and an ergonomic grip he'll be sure to love.

The Larry 8 LED Pocket Work Light - Red - MaxiAids

4. Reizen Flip-N-Clip Binocular Lens - 2.7x Hands Free Magnifier

Purpose: Binocular Magnifier with 2.7x lens. Fits over most eyeglasses or may be worn without glasses. Lens flips up for when magnification is not needed, making this a perfect low vision magnifier for him that keeps his hands free so he can focus on the tasks at hand. Flip-up feature provides added convenience.

Reizen Flip-N-Clip Binocular Lens - 2.7x Hands Free Magnifier - MaxiAids

5. I Love You Day Keychain - Silver. Also available in Gold.

Purpose: A fun way to show dad he is loved that he can take with him wherever he goes.

5 Valentine's Day 2015 Gift Ideas For Him or Her

1. Talking Photo Album with Personalized Voice Recorded Messages

Purpose: Fill 20 pages with pictures and audible captions. A romantic Valentine's Day gift idea for any loved one in your life where you want to add your own personal touch to your pictures and memories.

Talking Photo Album with Personalized Voice Recorded Messages - MaxiAids

2. Reminder Rosie Talking Alarm Clock with Personalized Voice Reminders

Purpose: Exceptionally easy to use talking alarm clock with personalized voice reminders for seniors and caregivers. This is the perfect Valentine's Day gift for mom, dad or the caregiver in your life. 

Reminder Rosie Talking Alarm Clock with Personalized Voice Reminders - MaxiAids

3. Aukey Special Edition Video Magnifier - 1.9x and 13.6x

Purpose: Read more easily at home or on the go and toggle between 1.9x and 13.6x magnification. This is a reading support tool designed for both children and adults with low vision and can be given as a Valentine's Day gift to virtually anyone of any age.

Aukey Special Edition Video Magnifier - 1.9x and 13.6x - MaxiAids

4. Apple Shaped Talking Alarm Clock with Temperature and Calendar - White. Also available in Black.

Purpose: Sleek, attractive digital Apple Shaped Talking Alarm Clock that is packed with features everyone can enjoy and access. Makes a great Valentine's Day gift for teachers as well as anyone who just likes a fun, functional digital talking clock that can be placed anywhere.

Apple Shaped Talking Alarm Clock with Temperature and Calendar - White - MaxiAids

5. Clarity Amplified Bluetooth Cordless Phone with Answering Machine

Purpose: Enjoy amplified calls without a landline and hear cell phone calls loud and clear while at home.

Clarity Amplified Bluetooth Cordless Phone with Answering Machine - MaxiAids

Check out our full Valentine's Day 2015 Gift Guide here. 

Visit MaxiAids.com for the largest selection of products for independent living at the lowest prices. 

Like MaxiAids on Facebook

Follow MaxiAids on Twitter and Pinterest

Subscribe to MaxiAids Email list for special deals and discounts

4 Helpful Tips to Make Holiday Food Traditions More Accessible

With the holiday season in full swing and just 10 days until Christmas, it's time to think about not just what holiday gifts will be under your tree but also what you will be putting on your dinner table. Some of the best (and most delicious) holiday traditions involve classic family recipes, from plentiful platters of food to delectable Christmas cookies that make anyone want to take home leftovers.

With that said, one thing that is often overlooked during these festive family gatherings is how to add a little bit more accessibility to the table in order to make sure that those who need some extra help can still enjoy the holiday food traditions they have come to cherish so fondly over the years.

4 Helpful Tips to Make Holiday Food Traditions More Accessible - MaxiAids Blog

Here are 4 Helpful Tips to Make Holiday Food Traditions More Accessible:

1. For plate settings, keep in mind those loved ones who have hand issues, low dexterity or arthritis. Arthritis of the hands has become a fairly common ailment among older adults, and when someone has trouble grasping or gripping objects with their hands, it can really take the enjoyment out of eating. When setting your dinner table for a holiday gathering, it's a good idea to write out a list of who is attending and see if they need a little extra assistance gripping onto their utensils. One cost-effective solution for dinner guests with hand issues are these soft, easy grip built-up arthritis handles that can be attached to any fork, knife or spoon to increase the gripping surface while adding comfort and stability to the dining experience. Something like this can be a real lifesaver for a parent or grandparent who has chronic hand pain, and it also goes a long way in showing your guest how much you truly care about them and their comfort level when they are eating in your home.

2. Organize your kitchen for food prep with accessibility in mind. It is inevitable that when you are hosting a big family gathering such as Hanukkah or Christmas dinner, you will be tasked with organizing your kitchen to make room for friends and relatives who are also fellow foodies and want to help you prepare the best meal possible. One thing that can happen with too many cooks in the kitchen are spills or slips when someone isn't paying full attention to the task at hand. In these situations, you can cut down on the accidents by sectioning off areas in your kitchen and creating specific food prep stations. When your cooking helpers arrive, kindly direct them to their designated area for that they will be doing, and make sure that anyone who is not helping to prepare the meal is entertained by others away from the kitchen. 

Also, to make sure there are no accidents in the kitchen, just like with the plate settings you should think about who will be helping you prepare the meal and how you can accommodate them. Chances are that grandma and grandpa will want to help keep family food traditions alive in some way, shape or form, and so you want to make sure your designated areas for them have the food preparation cooking helpers they might need to make sure they are safe in the kitchen. One invention that is sure to save a few fingers and avoid a trip to the hospital or urgent care center on Christmas is this EZ grip low vision cutting board, which is specially designed to grip your kitchen counter using four suction cups while the stainless steel corner plate / slicing guide holds the food in place. Solutions like this add accessibility to food prep and are sure to be appreciated by your sous chefs who could use the extra assistance while graciously helping you.

3. Stay cool and don't get burned by your oven. With all of those aforementioned kitchen helpers comes the chaos of recipes being recounted, side conversations overlapping each other, and other distractions. Because of this, it's important to take extra precautions to ensure that everyone stays safe, particularly around the oven. One misplaced hand when distracted can cause serious burns, and that is the last thing anyone should have to worry about when hosting a holiday gathering. That is why it is important to have the proper protections in place, and there are several solutions that can help promote oven safety in your kitchen. First, make sure you keep your oven mitts handy and close to your oven area. You may also find these Cool Touch Oven Rack Guards to be extremely helpful in preventing burns since they are designed to easily attach to most oven racks and snap in place to add another layer of protection when you need it most.

4 Helpful Tips to Make Holiday Food Traditions More Accessible - MaxiAids Blog

4. Make sure everyone can enjoy their coffee, tea or hot chocolate with dessert. After the big holiday dinner is over and everyone has had a chance to catch up and converse, it will then be time for dessert. You've worked so hard all night long, and all that's left is to unveil the cakes, pies and cookies, then serve the coffee, tea or hot chocolate. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that some of your guests might be a little tired and so they may not pay as much attention when gripping and drinking the hot beverage that is in front of them. This is where your last bit of ingenuity comes into play for the night, by doing your best to make sure that your guests don't slip up and spill their drinks. All you have to do is invest in something like this ergonomic clip-on handle that easily attaches to any standard coffee mug and adds a stronger, more comfortable and stable grip that all of your friends and family members will appreciate at the end of the evening.

We hope you enjoyed this 4 Helpful Tips to Make Holiday Food Traditions More Accessible, and all of us here at MaxiAids wish you a happy and healthy holiday season, as well as a Happy New Year!

Visit www.MaxiAids.com for the largest selection of products for independent living at the lowest prices. You can also check out our Cooking Store here.