We all have issues, and like it or not, we can all use a little help. You will be pleased to know that help doesn’t always mean relying on other people.
Nearly 1 in 3 Americans suffer from arthritis or other debilitating handicaps. You may be one of them, but with the help of “assistive technology” you can be the capable and independent person you were meant to be.
Arthritis, stroke, serious injuries, and neurological disorders, often associated with aging, can affect the dexterity and fine motor skills necessary to perform simple tasks. Actually, there are no simple tasks if they are things that you can’t do yourself.
The most obvious assistive devices are the walkers, canes, wheelchairs and scooters that you see every day. Most of us also have a passing acquaintance with bath seats, hand held showers and grab bars, but let’s break it down even further.
Assistive technology covers a broad spectrum; think of it as any item that might help you bathe, comb your hair, brush your teeth, get dressed, or prepare a meal. We call these activities of daily living. For example, a simple weighted eating utensil or a non-skid bowl might mean that you could feed yourself. There are tools for just about everything and you can find them in neighborhood drugstores, medical supply stores, hardware stores and on the internet.
Assistive technology includes both high and low tech solutions. We can’t all have Smart Home’s, but we can have a collection of gadgets to help us do the chores that others take for granted. Check out the specialized kitchen and gardening tools that are readily available in stores near you. If you don’t know where to start, seek help. An Occupational Therapist can introduce you to and teach you how to use gadgets that will change your life.
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