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Ideas4u Asked August 2020

Who would I talk to about ideas/inventions that would help the elderly and those who care for them everyday? Does anyone else have ideas?

I come up with things almost everyday of how to help my grandma be more accomplished and fulfilled in life. I've talked with several other caregivers on the subject who also have thought of ideas but have no way to implement them in their day or no way to share them with the world to help others as well. Has anyone on here successfully started up an idea or invention to assist us caregivers or the person we care for? How would I go about it?

GardenArtist Aug 2020
Another thought on the devices you've created is to get an assistive devices catalogue and see if any of the products are already created and being used.   Or you could search online for a local DME, go through the list of products and see if any are similar to what you might propose.

GardenArtist Aug 2020
As to gadgets or inventions, I think the physical and occupational therapists are way ahead of any of us caregivers, and they have DMEs from which the purchases can be ordered.  

If you did invent something, prudence would dictate that you get a patent to protect your design.   Unless you're skilled in Intellectual Property law (and I'm definitely not), it's a very unique, complicated field of law.   And it's not cheap.

However, if you have ideas that can be implemented by other caregivers, you might want to share them through groups.   Even if personal interaction is limited now, it would take time to identify a sponsor for holding any meetings as well as locating additional people to present and share them.

You can also post specific suggestions here and get feedback from people with a wealth of experience.    That can help you determine which ideas might be appropriate for sharing, or not.

I've found that larger hospital systems, and sometimes Catholic hospital systems, are more likely to offer classes, especially in larger cities  There's also  a teaching hospital and a good variety of medical services.

Videos are made of these kinds of assistive devices, or tactics.    If it weren't for the pandemic, I would contact local rehabs, independent and assisted living, and perhaps memory care facilities and try to find one that would provide a venue for limited classes.    Activity centers in those kinds of facilities might help.  

Are your ideas crafty, or thought oriented...could you describe them a little bit more?

Another option is to use the search function and find other similar posts here.   While not necessarily ideas, others have wanted to market "gadgets", including tech devices which they felt older people could/should use.

These are some hits, but change the search parameters and you'll probably get a different set of suggestions. 

https://www.agingcare.com/search?term=marketing+gadgets%2C+caregiving+ideas

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jar3431 Aug 2020
Right now I'd like a gadget that does everything a TV/cable/DRV remote control can do and lets me use an app on my phone to bring up a version of the appropriate remotes to do it remotely.

GardenArtist Aug 2020
Geaton777, excellent advice, especially as to patent protection.

Geaton777 Aug 2020
First, you need to research if there's actually a consumer market for your idea. You don't want to go through a lot of effort only to find out someone's already in that "space".

Then you need to know if what you created is unique, patentable, protectable. If you don't have this you'll get knock-off products undercutting yours and then you won't have anything.

Next, you need to make sure you have enough funding to produce it and bring it to market. 85% of new businesses fail in the first 5 years because they underestimated how long it will take to turn a profit. It's rarely a smooth process, no matter how "brilliant" or "unique" your product or service is. This usually means finding investors (or angel investors).

FYI you are not the first (or second or third or fourth) person to come to this forum with this desire. That's why it's important to really know for certain that what you have to offer is really needed, can be adapted easily by aging minds and can be priced so that the elderly can afford it. I wish you success!
Ideas4u Aug 2020
Thank you so much!

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