1. Aging in Place:
Use of Adaptive Devices
Presented by: Tara Simmons & Tara Lantz
2. Our population continues to age
• By the year 2030, up to 22% of Americans will be older than age 65
• 70% will need long-term care services within their lifetime, including
rehabilitation, home care, social services, home modifications, and
assistive technology (adapted equipment)
4. Adaptive Equipment provides confidence and
allows individuals to remain independent
• With proper use, safety will improve
• This will create less strain on the healthcare system
• Individuals will be able to remain comfortable at home with supports vs. moving to a long-term
care facility
5. Adaptive Equipment lessens the strain on
Family and Caregivers
• 78% of homecare comes from
unpaid family and friends
• Adaptive devices can promote
independence
• This independence can lessen
both the physical and
emotional strain on family
7. When used properly, Adaptive Equipment is extremely
effective
• It provides independence to
maintain aging in place
• It allows a person to feel a sense
of accomplishment when
completing tasks on their own
• It increases safety
• It can provide a sense of
satisfaction
• It lessens the mental and
physical strain on caregivers
8. Adaptive equipment includes (but is not limited to)…..
• Crutches
• Wheelchairs
• Walkers
• Transfer bences
• Commodes
• Raised toilet seats
• Shower bars
• Shower chairs
• Built up feeding instruments
• Button hooks
• Sock aids
• Automatic toothpaste dispensers
• Eyeglasses
• Hearing Aids
• Stair lifts
• Reachers
• Elastic shoe laces
• Angled utensils
• Weighted utensils
• Subena (assisted lifting)
• Hoyer lifts
• Built up combs/brushes
• Rocker knives
• Universal cuff
• Power wheelchairs
• Long-handled shoe horns
• Dressing sticks
• Leg straps
• Transfer boards
• Long-handled sponge/brush
• Wash mit
• Plate guards
• Scoop dish
• Bedside commode
• Not a comprehensive list- there
are so many ways we can adapt
every day items to improve use
and independence!
9. In our surrounding area, there are many Durable
Medical Equipment (DME) suppliers that provide
adaptive equipment
• Paramount Living Aids, LLC
• In Home Oxygen and Medical
Equipment
• C & S Medical Supply Inc.
• Superior Oxygen & Medical
Supply
• American DME LLC
• WEBB Medical Systems
• Lincare
10. How does an individual obtain equipment?
How does an individual
pay for equipment?
• Private Insurance
• Medicare Part B- medically
necessary equipment,
prescribed by a Doctor can be
covered
• Private Pay
• Grants
• Agencies that lend/provide
items at no cost
Who can help with
funding?
• Service Access and
Management, Inc. (SAM) can
provide funding and case
management
• AARP
• AbleNet
• Accses
• Centers for Independent Living
• PA Department of Aging
• Hippocampe
• Independent Living Services
• I M Able
• Just to name a few!
11. Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Therapists, Primary care
Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aids,
DME employees, and Rehab employees can all assist in teaching individuals
and family members how to use equipment!
12. Teaching Methods and Strategies
• It is important that individuals receive
ample information in regards to which
product they need
• Providers should give plenty of time for
questions
• Pamphlets and handouts can be
provided as a visual aide at home
• Handouts are useful if an individual
forgets exactly what to do after the
therapist/health care provider leaves
• Proper demonstration, including the
“teach-back” method should be
completed
• Videos are also beneficial to assist in
learning use
• Individuals should always have access to
contact the therapist/provider with
additional questions after they have left
to ensure safety!
• Many websites provide free instruction
and print outs
13. Summary
• Adaptive equipment tools enhance independence
• They promote safety inside a person’s home
• They provide satisfaction and a sense of pride
• As our population ages, the concept of “Aging in Place” promotes staying as independent in the home
as possible with supports
• Caregivers are often unpaid family members. Adaptive equipment eases the mental and physical stress
by allowing individuals to complete activities independently
• Agencies and medical coverage can assist in obtaining appropriate devices
• A team of therapists and home health aids can assist in teaching how to use the equipment and
provide informational documentation to continue the learning process after they are no longer in the
home
• Overall, Adaptive Equipment can make a person…….
14. References
Crabb, N. (2009). Encyclopedia of American Disability History (In Burch, Susan ed.). Retrieved from http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
IU Health. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20, 2016, from http://iuhealth.org/rehabilitation/occupational-therapy/
McLean, T., Sanders, E., Shinn, B., Stein, L., & Turnowski, R. (2014). Adaptive equipment project. Retrieved from http://spin-ot.com/all-
articles/2014/6/7/adaptive-equipment-project
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/durable-medical-equipment-coverage.html
National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). (2007). Dementia: A NICE-SCIE guideline on supporting people with dementia and their carers in health
and social care. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Robnett, R. H., & Chop, W. (2015). Gerontology for the healthcare professional (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Service Access and Management, Inc. (n.d.). Intellectual Developmental Disability (IDD) Supports Coordination. Retrieved February 19, 2016, from
http://www.sam-inc.org/Services
Sheffield, C., Smith, C., & Becker, M. (2013, November 6). Evaluation of an agency-based occupational therapy intervention to facilitate aging in place. The
Gerontologist, 53, 907-918. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/gns145
United Disabilities Services. (n.d.). Community resources. Retrieved February 19, 2016, from http://www.udservices.org/resources/community-
resources/#blog-top
