As we age, the simplest tasks can become not-so-simple. Take using a blender, for example. It doesn’t usually require much to operate. All it takes is a push of a button and you’re done. Unfortunately, with today’s blenders, it’s not always that easy because there seems to be a setting for everything – shakes, smoothies, puree, chopped, and so on.
While all that sounds great to the average person, they may not be as useful, and can even be problematic, for elderly users.
As much as we want to retain the physical and mental capacities of our youth, things undoubtedly change as we get older, and handling a blender can be a challenge. For example, whether it’s due to shaking arms or lack of strength, lifting the pitcher may be a little difficult.
Vision issues or a decrease in mental capacities also can lead to difficulties operating the blender. These are just a few of the reasons why elderly individuals need to find a blender that aligns with their needs.
What Makes a Good Blender for Drinking?
Here are some of the key aspects to consider when purchasing a blender for an elderly person.
Easy to Move Around
Seniors lose strength in their arms as they age. Therefore, a good blender will have a pitcher that’s on the lighter side, is easy to detach from the base and provides a good grip. Typically, blenders that come with a plastic pitcher hold an advantage over those with glass pitchers.
One of the least talked about aspects of what makes a good blender is how easy or difficult it is to remove the lid. While all blenders tend to have tight lids to help prevent spills and leaks, a lid that sticks to the pitcher too tightly may be problematic for the elderly. Finding the right balance between security and ease of use is important here.
Easy to Use
Diminishing eyesight and motor skills are both parts of the aging process. As a result, the best blenders keep it simple and make it as easy as possible for the user to accomplish his or her goals. This includes featuring clear measuring lines, settings with labels that are straightforward and buttons that are easy to press.
Easy to Clean
Blenders have traditionally been difficult to clean. Whether it’s due to the sharpness of the blades or the amount of work it takes to separate them from the pitcher, getting all the gritty blended particles out can be a nightmare for anyone.
This is why the best blenders are easy to clean, whether that means it has self-cleaning capabilities or is dishwasher-safe.
Ample Durability
The best blenders for seniors should be able to withstand the test of time. Since occasional bumps and bruises are to be expected, they can’t be too fragile.
To help increase their durability, blenders should be able to sit on the counter without the risk of falling over. The customer should not have to hold on to the pitcher at all times in order to avoid an accident.
Plenty of Power
A blender that provides the necessary power is important because seniors often have specific diets that require that they only eat foods of a certain texture. The blender must be able to break down foods to the appropriate level and do so without much manual work on the part of the user.
How Much Should You Expect To Pay for a Blender?
Blenders can range anywhere from $60 to more than $400. As with anything else, more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better. The user’s needs should be aligned with the value provided by the blender. Given the financial restrictions of many senior citizens, the purchase price plays an important role in our final recommendations.
What Goes Into Our Review?
We’ve collected the most relevant information about the top blenders on the market to help you make as informed a purchasing decision as possible. For each blender, we review the features and benefits and compare them to feedback received from users and experts. Specifically, our review took into account the following for each blender:
Ease of Use: How easy is it to use the blender? For elderly individuals, big, complex blenders may not be ideal, regardless of their capabilities. Something such as the ability to read the measurements can be a big deal and must be taken into consideration.
Durability and Performance: Blenders need to perform well for an extended period of time, since elderly users may not have the means to invest in frequent replacements.
Speed: The faster the better. In the case of the elderly, the less they have to stand and wait for blending to be completed, the better.
Cleaning: Can the blender be cleaned easily, or does it have to be taken apart for a thorough cleaning? If so, how easy is it to take it apart and put it back together?
Best Blender for Frozen Drinks
Without further ado, here is our list of the best blenders for the elderly that are currently on the market.
1. NutriBullet Nutrition Extractor
The NutriBullet is a highly-rated blender for the elderly and general population. In terms of simplicity, not many blenders come close to it. It’s easy to assemble, use and clean. It’s a 1-speed blender, and even though it’s not as big as others, it’s powerful enough to break down almost anything.
Based on feedback from users of the NutriBullet, the main concerns with the product are its lack of durability and the fact that it gets louder as it ages. Some seniors may find it difficult to operate because it doesn’t come with any pre-defined push-button settings.
Instead, users must choose between one of two blades and apply manual pressure to initiate blending.
Technical Features
Pros
Cons
Where to Buy
Warranty
- 1 year limited
2. Breville Hemisphere Control Blender BBL605XL
The Breville Hemisphere Control Blender BBL605XL is a powerful blender that performs as well as top-of-the-line blenders such as the Ninja, and VitaMix. Expert reviews indicate that it’s strong enough to handle heavy-duty activity like crushing ice and grinding almonds, yet delicate enough for whipping cream. It’s versatile enough to also serve as a food processor on certain occasions.
Senior citizens will love it because it’s easy to use and clean. The pitcher is plastic and has a soft grip for easy handling. The buttons are illuminated to make it easier to choose the right setting. All those features make it one of the best blender for ice drinks available on the market.
Negative user feedback about the Breville Hemisphere is primarily focused on its struggles with frozen fruit. Regardless, this blender receives high ratings from experts and consumers alike and is one of the best on the market.
Technical Features
Pros
Cons
Where to Buy
Warranty
- 1 year limited
3. KitchenAid KSB1570SL 5-Speed Blender
The KitchenAid KSB1570SL is a lightweight, easy-to-use blender that’s great for seniors who don’t require lots of horsepowers. Not that it can’t be used to make frozen beverages, but it may take longer than more high-powered blenders.
In fact, experts who tested the blender indicate that it performs these tasks just as well as those with higher price tags. This is considered the best blender for soup.
The primary complaint from users of the KitchenAid KSB1570SL is related to durability in that it has a propensity to start leaking after a few months of regular usage. The two negatives that specifically impact the elderly are that the measurements on the pitcher may not be as legible as those found on others, and because of the lack of power, it takes longer to finish certain tasks.
Technical Features
Pros
Cons
Where to Buy
Warranty
- 1 year limited
Vitamix is widely regarded as being at the top of the food chain in terms of blenders because of its awesome power and durability. Frozen desserts, smoothies, purees and just about anything else can be made in this blender. It’s easy to use and shortens the amount of time needed to complete each task. As a result, even seniors who may not need that much blending power can benefit from having a Vitamix. It even has self-cleaning capabilities, which is awesome for seniors.
Most of the negative reviews have to do with the price of the Vitamix, and seniors who don’t necessarily need that level of power may not be willing to make the investment. A few user complaints have to do with the fact that the lid can sometimes be difficult to open. These criticisms are few in number and as a result, we only consider it a minor negative when judging this blender.
Technical Features
Pros
Cons
Where to Buy
Warranty
- 5 years
5. Oster Versa Performance Blender
Although the Oster Versa Performance blender doesn’t match the Vitamix in terms of power and durability, it’s powerful enough and comes with an affordable price tag that may cause it to be more attractive. Its 1,400-watt motor runs quietly, and it can complete just about any task in seconds. Assembling this blender can be a pain, especially for the elderly. However, once it’s up and running, it’s easy to use and delivers great performance. Negative customer reviews for this blender are primarily around the jar leaking and its overall durability.
Technical Features
Pros
Cons
Where to Buy
- Walmart
- Amazon
Warranty
- 7 years
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of options to choose from when searching for the best blender for the elderly. If money is not an issue, then the Vitamix 4500 is certainly at the top of the list. It can be used to complete just about any task, it’s very durable, and it’s easy to use.
On the other end of the spectrum, the KitchenAid KSB1570SL performs well enough to meet the demands of most elderly individuals and comes with a smaller price tag.
With that said, we recommend the Breville Hemisphere Control Blender as the number one blender for the elderly. If you’re looking for something that offers the power of more expensive blenders at a more budget-friendly price and is easy to use and clean, then this is the right blender for you.