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
Written or verbal instructions are required to learn how to:
- Sequence themselves through safe transfers to a bath or shower chair.
- Use unusual passive aids (elevated toilet sets, toilet supports).
- Apply a wash mitt to the affected hand (if minimally involved) and use a modification of their familiar action; otherwise someone else will need to provide assistance to clean their hand.
- 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.
Being able to use secondary consequences enters the scale in ACL 5.6, which results in easier understanding of ways to prevent errors and maximize positive results in surface appearance. Understanding secondary consequences of spatial fit enters the scale in ACL 5.8. They are more able to use tricky adaptive aids like long handle clippers and reachers. They will also avoid complications arising from complications of neglecting tight spaces like washing between the toes and cleaning under their nails.
Adapted Toileting
Both genders may learn to use portable urinals, adapted tissue aids (if highly valued), step by step verbal instructions to make postural adjustments and remember safety precautions. The person may now be able to understand the consequences of tilting a full urinal.
Adapted Oral Hygiene
Verbal or written instructions may be used to teach the person how to clean their dentures if a denture brush is unfamiliar. Verbal or written instructions may be used to teach them how to use modifications of familiar actions like how to use a suction denture brush for one-handed denture cleaning.
One-handed tooth brushing may require verbal or written instructions along with setting up of the equipment (which is often a bilateral hand task). Assistance may be required for a person to learn to use a toothpaste dispenser (positioning brush, pressing long lever down, dispensing correct amount) until they have mastered this task.
Adapted Grooming
Provide the person with adapted brushes / combs / make-up tools / toothbrush handle as needed.
Provide verbal or written instructions on how to use adapted dispenser handles (simple levers) for deodorant and shaving cream. Trial the task with the person and assist with supervision to alter amounts, stabilize containers with jar and bottle opener for one handed use until they have mastered this tricky task.
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 which the person can more easily manage in ACL 5. They can more easily use a pre-adjusted, static hand splint, while matching one feature at a time. The person is apt to recognize an error in splint adjustment and ask for help.
They might be able to learn to apply and adjust lower extremity splints.
If unsteady, they will spontaneously change body position smoothly to prevent losing balance.
Adapted Feeding / Taking Medication
Within ACL 5 High, the person is able to smoothly adjust applied pressure. Their ability to adjust their grasp makes the use of adapted utensils more effective. They can remain focused on the adapted feeding task. Within ACL 5 High, the person may be able to anticipate and prevent errors. They may avoid placing items in areas likely to be accidently knocked over.