Essential Assistive Devices for Home

For many individuals, independently completing routine tasks such as toileting or feeding can present significant difficulties. This is where assistive devices come into play, offering innovative solutions that turn challenges into manageable tasks. An assistive device refers to any piece of equipment, tool, or technology that aids individuals with disabilities or impairments in performing tasks that might otherwise be difficult or impossible for them.

From practical tools like long-handled shoe horns to advanced equipment like amplified telephones, these devices are making a tangible difference in many lives. In this blog post, we'll explore some of these essential devices, discussing their features and their impact on promoting independence and comfort. Whether you're a caregiver, a family member looking for solutions, or someone aiming to improve daily life, continue reading to learn about these transformative tools that pave the way for a more independent future.

Assistive Devices Categories

Click on one of the following headings to jump ahead:

• Mobility Aids

• Bathroom Safety Devices

• Bedroom Aids

• Dressing Aids

• Kitchen Aids

• Vision and Hearing Aids

• Medication Management Tools

• Adaptive Utensils

• Home Safety Devices

• Cognitive Aids

Mobility Aids

Walking Canes: A walking cane is a long, slender rod, often made of wood or metal, designed to provide users with added balance and stability. People typically hold a cane in one hand and use it to reduce the weight and pressure on an opposite leg or to help steady themselves. Canes are especially helpful for individuals who may have slight mobility issues, are recovering from an injury, or just need a bit of extra support while walking. Walking canes offer a simple yet effective way to maintain independence and mobility.

Walkers/Rollators: Walkers are sturdy, frame-like tools that individuals can lean on and use to support themselves while walking. They usually have four legs and are designed to provide maximum stability. Rollators are an upgraded version of walkers; they come equipped with wheels (usually three or four), a seat, and sometimes even a small storage pouch or basket. The wheels make movement smoother, and the seat allows users to take a break whenever needed. Both walkers and rollators are excellent for those who need more support than a cane provides, ensuring they can move around safely and confidently.

Rollator Walker

Wheelchairs: Wheelchairs are designed for individuals who cannot walk or have difficulty walking. They come in two main types: manual and powered. A manual wheelchair is propelled either by the user, pushing the wheels with their hands, or by a helper. Powered or electric wheelchairs, on the other hand, are battery-operated and move with the push of a button or joystick. Wheelchairs provide essential mobility to many, ensuring they can navigate their environments, participate in activities, and maintain a level of independence.

To learn more about wheelchairs, check out the following post, “Maximizing Comfort and Functionality in Wheelchair Seating through Occupational Therapy”

Motorized Scooters: Think of motorized scooters as a blend between a wheelchair and a small vehicle. These electric scooters come with a seat, handlebars, and a footrest. Users steer them using handlebars, much like a bicycle. They're perfect for individuals who can stand but find it challenging to walk long distances. With their design and ease of operation, motorized scooters are a popular choice for shopping trips, park visits, and even just getting around the neighbourhood. They give users the freedom to roam without the physical strain of walking.

Bathroom Safety Devices

Grab Bars: Grab bars are firm bars attached to walls, particularly in bathrooms. They offer a gripping surface to hold onto, making it easier and safer to stand up, sit down, or maintain balance, especially on wet surfaces. Installed near showers, bathtubs, and toilets, they benefit anyone at risk of slipping, especially those with mobility or balance challenges.

Shower Chairs/Benches: Standing for extended periods can be challenging for some, and that's where shower chairs or benches come in. These are stable seats designed to be placed inside a shower. They allow individuals to sit comfortably while they bathe, reducing the risk of slips or falls.

Raised Toilet Seats: These are extensions added to the regular toilet

Shower Chair

seat, increasing the seat height. Why, you ask? A higher seat means less distance to travel when sitting down or standing up, making the process easier and safer, especially for those with joint pain or mobility issues. It's a simple modification, but it can make a difference when using a toilet.

Non-slip Mats: These are textured mats placed on the floor, predominantly in bathrooms, to prevent slips and falls. The textured surface provides grip, ensuring it's much harder for feet to slide out from under, even when the floor is wet.

Bedroom Aids

Bed Rails: Bed rails are multipurpose. They are designed to provide that extra layer of safety by preventing individuals from accidentally rolling off the bed while sleeping. They also offer a supportive place to grab when getting in or out of bed.

Overbed Tables: It's adjustable in height and often comes with wheels, making it easy to slide closer or push away as needed. These tables are not just for convenience; they're also great for individuals who might be bedridden for medical reasons, ensuring that meals, medications, and personal items are always accessible.

"For people without disabilities, technology makes things convenient. For people with disabilities, it makes things possible." - Judith Heumann

Pillow Lifters: A device that can adjust the angle of your pillows with just the push of a button. It's an electronic device placed beneath your pillow, allowing you to raise or lower the head section of your bed. Whether you're watching TV, reading, or just need some elevation for medical reasons (like acid reflux or respiratory issues), a pillow lifter offers the flexibility to find that perfect angle for comfort.

Dressing Aids

Long-handled Shoe Horns: We've all been there, trying to slide our foot into a shoe that's just not cooperating. That's where the long-handled shoe horn comes in handy! It's a simple tool with a curved, flat surface and an extended handle. By placing the curved end inside the shoe's heel and sliding the foot in, shoes go on smoothly without bending or crouching.

Shoe Horn

Sock Aids: Putting on socks can sometimes feel like an Olympic event, especially for those who can't easily reach their feet. A Sock Aid is a flexible device, often with rope handles. Here's how it works: you slide the sock onto the device, drop it to the floor, and then slide your foot in while pulling the ropes. Just like that, your sock is on, and you don't have to bend over.

Dressing Sticks: Dressing sticks are long rods, often with hooks or specially designed ends. They assist with tasks like pulling up zippers, tugging at shirt sleeves, or even guiding a jacket over the shoulders. For those with limited arm or hand movement, this tool offers that extra reach, making dressing up a more independent..

Kitchen Aids

Jar Openers: We all know the struggle of trying to open a stubborn jar lid that just won't budge. Jar openers are the heroes in this scenario. These handy devices come in various designs, but they provide a better grip or leverage to twist off those tricky lids.

Reaching Tools: These tools are designed to grab objects just out of reach, whether on a high shelf or on the floor. They often come with a trigger handle and a claw-like end to grip items securely. For those who find it challenging to bend down or stretch up, reaching tools are like an extension of their arm, ensuring that everything is within grasp.

Vision and Hearing Aids

Magnifiers: These tools, often resembling a large lens with a handle, enlarge the appearance of objects when viewed through them. Perfect for reading, hobbies, or any task that requires a closer look, magnifiers bring the world into clearer focus.

Magnifiers

Large Print Books and Devices: Large print books are a godsend for book lovers with vision challenges. These books have text printed in a bigger font size, making it easier to read without straining the eyes. Many devices, like e-readers or tablets, now come with settings to increase text size, ensuring that reading remains a pleasure, not a challenge.

Hearing Aids: Worn in or behind the ear, these devices pick up sounds, amplify them, and deliver them directly into the ear. For individuals with hearing loss, hearing aids are like a bridge reconnecting them to the world of sounds.

Amplified Telephones: Picture a regular telephone, but with a volume dial that goes up to eleven! Amplified telephones are designed specifically for those with hearing challenges. They boost the volume of the call, making voices on the other end clearer and louder. Some even come with flashing lights to signal incoming calls, ensuring no conversation is missed.

Medication Management Tools

Pill Organizer: A pill organizer's primary function is to help individuals sort and store their medications, ensuring they take the right pills at the right time. No more second-guessing if you took your morning medicine or mixed-up pills. With everything neatly arranged, it makes it easier to manage multiple medications.

Pill Organizer

Medication Reminders: These can be alarms, apps, or even simple sticky notes, all designed to give you a nudge when it's time for your medication. With technology advancing, many apps now allow users to input their medication schedule, and they'll send alerts right on time. It's like having a personal assistant, ensuring you never miss a dose.

Adaptive Utensils

Plate Guards: Plate guards help prevent food from being pushed off the plate, especially when one is trying to scoop it up. Plate guards act as a supportive guide for those with limited hand coordination or strength, making mealtime smoother and less messy.

"In the hands of an occupational therapist, an assistive device is not just a tool, but a bridge to independence." - Unknown

Specialized Utensils: When we think of eating, we often picture the standard fork, knife, and spoon. But for many individuals with specific needs or challenges, these traditional tools might not be the most efficient or comfortable. For example, Angled Utensils: These have a bent or curved handle, making it easier for those with limited wrist movement to scoop up food. Weighted Utensils have added weight to stabilize the hand and counteract tremors or shaky grips. Some utensils have adaptive grips with thicker or ergonomically designed handles, providing a more comfortable grasp for those with arthritis or weakened hand strength.

Long-handled Sponges: A long-handled sponge is perfect for washing those hard-to-reach areas, like the back or the soles of the feet. Especially beneficial for individuals with limited mobility or those who find bending and stretching challenging, it ensures a thorough and comfortable bath or shower experience.

Home Safety Devices

Stairlifts: Stairlifts are a game-changer for those who find climbing stairs challenging or impossible due to mobility issues. It's a motorized seat that travels along a rail fixed to the side of your stairs. With the press of a button, they can effortlessly move between floors in their home, retaining their independence and comfort.

Stairlifts

Ramps: Instead of steps that require lifting your feet, ramps provide a gradual slope that facilitates movement between different levels. They're especially beneficial for wheelchair users or those using walkers, ensuring they can enter and exit buildings or navigate different areas without barriers.

Emergency Alert Systems: Think of these as your personal safety net. These systems come in various forms, often wearable devices like pendants or wristbands. In case of an emergency, such as a fall or other health issue, the wearer can press a button to send an immediate alert to a response center or designated contact. It's like having a guardian angel on standby, ensuring that help is always just a button press away.

For more information on Emergency Alert Systems, check out our other post titled “Empowering Vulnerable Populations with Fall Detection Systems.”

Cognitive Aids

Calendars: Calendars are a timeless tool used to track days, weeks, and months. They're essential for jotting down important dates, like birthdays or appointments. By providing a visual representation of time, calendars help users plan ahead, ensuring they never miss a significant event or task.

Memory Aids: These are supportive tools or strategies to compensate for memory impairments. They can be physical items, like notepads for jotting down notes, or digital apps that offer reminders. Memory aids can also be techniques, such as associating a task with a particular song or rhyme. Especially beneficial for those facing memory challenges, these aids act as "brain boosters," helping users recall information or tasks more effectively.

Clocks with Large: These clocks are designed for individuals with vision challenges. The enlarged numbers ensure that telling time doesn't require squinting or straining, making it easier to stay punctual and manage daily routines.