First, Piyushi Dhir, who lives with her parents and grandparents in Ontario, Canada, noticed that it was taking her grandfather longer to get off the couch. In time he would need a hand. Dhir worried that he might fall. She bought him a portable stander, a freestanding splint that he could use for stability when he stood up.
The standing aid not only improved her grandfather’s quality of life, but “helped him regain some of his independence,” says Dhir. He didn’t have to rely so much on others.
As you age, it can become more difficult to do certain things, such as: B. Reading the fine print, getting dressed, or getting into a slippery tub. Assistive devices can help you perform these tasks with less pain. They protect your joints and prevent injuries.
“Tools help make daily activities easier and safer,” said Elin Schold Davis, occupational therapist and senior driver coordinator with the American Occupational Therapy Association in Minneapolis.
“Assistive devices are a variety of tools, devices, and technologies that people can use to perform a specific function,” said Lynda Shrager, an occupational therapist in Albany, NY, and CEO of At Home for Life. They range from a simple jar opener to high-tech home renovations. They are often useful to older adults. For example, a grab bar can keep you from falling and breaking a bone, Shrager says.
What tools do you need?
“It can be difficult to admit that you need a resource,” says Scott Trudeau, PhD, director of productive aging practice for the American Occupational Therapy Association. But it is important that you invest in them early on. “Get them as soon as you notice that something is a little harder to do or you are insecure on your feet,” he says. “You don’t want to wait until you fall and break something.”
Talk to your doctor, who can make suggestions or refer you to an occupational therapist. They can analyze your home and recommend the best tools for you. You can also consider the following list of tried and tested tools for each part of your home.
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