| Clicking on the listings of assistive technology in each category below will take you to ICAN AT4ALL's equipment database where you will find recycled technology that can be obtained at no cost, technology that is available for loan and technology that ICAN can demonstrate if you are considering purchasing a particular type of device.
Assistive technology that can help
Helpful Tips:
- Place nonslip adhesives on the floor surface and grab bars in the bathtub to prevent falls.
- Test water temperatures in advance to prevent burns.
- Put towels and robes close at hand so you can reach them easily from the tub.
- Soap on a rope worn around the neck prevents having to find it if it drops.
- A bath caddy that hangs over the faucet or from a hook on the wall is a convenient way to keep shampoo, body wash, and other toiletries close at hand.
- Hooks that secure to the tile with suction cups that might prove a handy tool
- A hand-held shower head that and in different heights and angles might be very helpful for those who need to sit on a shower chair to bathe.
- Grab bars are critical for safety in the tub area. They can often be purchased at home improvement stores and should be installed by someone who knows how to make sure they are secured into studs. There are also bars that can be attached to the edge of the tub.
- Secure a rubber shower mat to the bottom of the tub with suction cups. For people allergic to latex, a material other than rubber should be used.
- Consider using bathtub steps are another option for making it easier to get in and out of the tub. Make sure the surface of the steps is non-skid and there are secure handrails to prevent falls.
- Consider a bathtub lift or transfer device. There are several types of transfer devices that help people move from wheelchairs into the tub, or be lowered into the tub once seated at the level of the side of the tub.
- Try a shower chair, if it is difficult to sit down and get up from the bottom of the tub. ICAN recycles these items and may have some at no cost. They are also readily available from many bath supply stores and pharmacies but be sure to consult a physician or other knowledgeable individual to make sure the one you get is the best one for your needs.
- Keep an easily reached telephone extension or intercom in the bathroom might be a good idea just in case of a slip or fall.
- There are many types of bath aids, such as a sponge with a handle, like a back scratcher, that can be used to reach out of the way places. There are also items like wash cloths with straps that can fasten around your hand. Many stores that sell bath supplies have a variety of simple, inexpensives items that might help.
- Use plastic cups and containers in the bathroom. They are not only lighter and easier to grasp, but won't break if they are dropped.
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Making Toileting Easier Assistive technology that might be helpful:
Helpful Tips:
- If getting out of bed and into the bathroom is difficult, a toilet chair offers a sanitary option. Toilet chairs are often recycled through ICAN AT4ALL, so check to see if we have one available. They can also be purchased from many larger pharmacies.
- Think about where its easiest to place toilet tissue for easiest reach. It might be easier to keep the roll sitting on a nearby counter or cabinet instead of the typical roll dispenser.
- A small garbage can near the toilet may prove a helpful tool.
- Store items you may need on the toilet in a handy place--on a counter top. in a small cabinet--someplace that's easy to reach.
- Consider using a raised toilet seat if sitting and standing are hard. Be sure that it is firmly in place to avoid mishaps.
- Grab bars that are handy are very helpful to make sitting and getting up easier. Be sure that they are securely in place and installed by a knowledgeable person so they can withstand significant weight.
- If you use bathmats in the bathroom, make sure they are secured so they will not slip or cause a fall. If you use a walker or chair, rugs may well hinder moving around easily.
- The handles to flush toilets are often in awkward places causing the user to have to turn around to flush. If yours is in an awkward place, wait until you are standing to flush.
- A toilet sensor is a device that senses when the person using the toilet has finished and will automatically flush the facility.
- A toilet called a bidet has a feature that washes a person's private areas with a stream of warm water--it might be helpful tool to consider if wiping is difficult task.
- There are also several types of personal care reachers that hold toilet paper and can be used to help wipe if reaching is difficult.
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Making Personal Care & Hygiene Easier Personal Care/Hygiene Helpful Tips:
- There are many personal care items that are readily available to the public. If there's a particular area where you need help, give some thought to what it would take to make the process easier. You might well find just the thing that can help you.
- There are a variety of easy adaptations that can make tooth brushing easier, like wrapping rubber bands around the handle of the toothbrush for better gripping.
- An electric toothbrush minimizes the motion that is necessary to brush teeth.
- A coffee cup might be just the thing to hold a toothbrush if reaching a built in holder is difficult.
- Storing things you use frequently on top of the counter makes it easier to reach them when you need them.
- Special grips, like foam tubing, and make holding utensils like razors and toothbrushes easier.
- A talking scale may help if seeing the numbers is difficult.
- Plastic pill organizers may help to keep medication straight, particularly when it must be taken multiple times a day. Be sure to consider how much medication is needed since many pill organizers have smaller compartments and may not be adequate for those who take a variety of medications.
- To keep medications straight, consider color coordinating bottles. For instance, putting a blue sticker on stomach meds, a red one on pain medication, and so forth. A schedule can be developed using the color system if a person gets confused easily by names and what they are for. A schedule might say take 2 pills from the blue bottle every night. Be sure the person can understand instructions clearly and realizes the color pertains to the bottles of pills, not the pills themselves.
- Use plastic or paper cups in the bathroom to avoid broken glass. Mugs with handles may be easier to hold than glasses without hands.
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Making Grooming Easier Grooming:
Helpful Tips:
- There are many personal care items that are readily available to the public. If there's a particular area where you need help, give some thought to what it would take to make the process easier. You might well find just the thing that can help you.
- Rubber bands or foam tubing wrapped around the handle of a brush can make it easier to grasp.
- A holder that holds a hairdryer while it is blowing is handy for styling hair as well as when holding the dryer in different positions id difficult.
- There are also holders for electric razors that might be helpful.
- Storing things you use frequently on top of the counter makes it easier to reach them when you need them.
- Magnifying mirrors make it easier to see to erfomr many tasks, like putting on makeup and shaving.
- If brushing hair is difficult, consider a short, easy-to-care-for hairdo and takes little maintenance.
- Washing hair in the shower or tub might be much easier than bending over a sink.
- A sponge with a reacher might help if putting on deodorant is difficult.
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Assistive technology that can help:
Helpful tips:- Replace buttons with a press to close option, like velcro.Large hook and eye closures may be easier to manipulate than buttons
- Sew loops into the side of underwear and trousers so you can pull them up using a reacher or finger.
- Reorganize your closet to keep clothing you use at the same time together. For instance, clothing you might wear in the morning to work could be in one area, clothing for relaxing in another, clothing for bed in another.
- Skirts may be easier than pants to wear.
- Clothing with large openings that can be slipped over your head or stepped into more easily.
- Clothes without fasteners and front closures may be easier to use. For instance, a poncho might be easier to manipulate than a coat with buttons.
- Clip on ties and necklaces long Clip-on ties.
- Try a front closure bra, or a stretchy sports bra.
- Pants, dresses and skirts with elastic waistbands are easier to pull on and take off.
- Stretchy fabrics allow for greater freedom of movement. Silky fabrics are easier to slide in and out of.
- Experiment with different ways to put on and take off clothing. You may find some techniques are easier than others for you.
- A full length mirror can help you find sleeves and match buttons.
- Pulling on pants might be easier if you lie down.
- Button hooks are helpful when dressing.
- Reachers with different types of helpers at the end can make dressing easier, like clips that can help pull socks up, or a shoe horn to slip into shoes.
- Elastic shoelaces can make sliding into sneakers easier.
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