Much of occupational therapy's value has been dependent on knowledge about adaptive equipment that is readily available to the general public now. The general public does not know when the purchase of a piece of equipment is valuable or a waste of money. The following guidelines suggest when the use of a piece of equipment should be explored.
Adapted Bathing
A demonstration along with numerous repetitions is required to learn a safe transfer technique.
They may be trained to accept unusual passive aids (elevated toilet sets, toilet supports). Rote learning is used to:
- Apply a wash mitt to the affected hand (if minimally involved) and demonstrate a modification of their familiar action; otherwise someone else will need to provide maximum assistance to clean their hand.
- Train in the use of a suction hand brush to wash the unaffected hand.
- Self-clean their fingernails with a suction brush.
- Self-file nails of their unaffected hand.
- Use an extended handle foot brush (ACL 4.8).
Adapted Toileting
Males may be trained to locate and use urinals within ACL 4 High. Females may be trained to use female urinals within ACL 4 High, with minimum assistance to point out consequences of tilting a full urinal.
Both genders may learn to use portable urinals, adapted tissue aids (if highly valued) slowly, step by step with demonstration and assistance to make postural adjustments and remember safety precautions.
Adapted Oral Hygiene
Clean their dentures for them if a denture brush is unfamiliar or demonstrate modifications of familiar actions, begin long-term repetitive training sequence to clean dentures with a suction denture brush for one-handed use.
One-handed tooth brushing requires: opening toothpaste for them, cuing to alter amount, setting up and training to use a toothpaste dispenser (positioning brush, pressing long lever down, and dispensing correct amount).
Adapted Grooming
Provide the person with adapted brushes / combs / make-up tools / toothbrush handle as needed.
Train to use adapted dispenser handles (simple levers) for deodorant and shaving cream, with supervision to alter amounts, stabilize containers with jar and bottle opener for one handed use.
If shaving with an electric razor is unfamiliar, but shaving is a valued activity, adapt an electric razor with a universal holder for weak grasp.
Adapted Dressing
Sock-aids require neuromuscular adjustments and patience and are not recommended within ACL 4.
They might be able to rote learn how to use a pre-adjusted, static hand splint, while matching one feature at a time. The person is apt to recognize an obvious error in splint adjustment and ask for help.
They might be able to learn to apply and adjust lower extremity splints.
If unsteady, cue to change body position slowly to prevent losing balance.
Adapted Feeding / Taking Medication
Within ACL 4 High, they should be able to follow demonstrations for exerting more pressure to effectively learn how to use a rocker or roller knife for one-handed cutting. They may be able to use swivel or extended utensils without spillage.