Saturday, October 24, 2015

In the search to help adults stay in their place by aging in place, I came across some good information for homeowners who may face the challenge of adapting their dwellings for in-home medical devices.

According to the Medical Encyclopedia at Medicine.jank.org, as many of us age, the impact of impairment on doing everyday tasks can be overcome or reduced through both design modifications which we've discussed in previous reports, and through the use of assistive technology devices.

Among the most widespread of these technologies are:

• Environmental control devices - To help people who have difficulty moving about, or for people with cognitive or visual impairments. An environmental control device can increase a person's ability to operate almost any device that runs on electricity — radios, computers, phones, lights, and security systems.
• Mobility devices - About 6 percent of non-institutionalized people over 65 have difficulty walking, and almost 8 percent have difficulty "getting outside," according to the National Health Interview Survey. Canes, crutches, and walkers are examples of mobility devices that are used to assist with walking and getting outside by providing support and balance.
• Reachers - Assistive devices that extend a person's reach and enable grasping and movement of objects at a short distance—but a distance longer than would be possible without the device. Reachers are inexpensive and very useful for many older adults with disabilities.

Go to http://www.homemods.org/directory/index.shtml and view the National Directory of Home Modification and Repair Programs for a listing of what is available in the state where you live.

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