Assistive Devices Make Independent Living Easier

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Nobody says the physical changes of growing older come easy. That doesn't mean you can't still do it your way — with a little help from assistive devices.

The August issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource shares tips and tools to make daily chores safer and more convenient.

Kitchen cart: A cart on wheels is a good way to transport many items at a once, such as moving items from a cabinet to a counter or plates and silverware to the table.

Utensils: Look for peelers, knives and other utensils with larger, rubberized handles. Specially designed kitchen knives with large handles can make food preparation safer. Cutting boards with spikes in the center to hold a fruit or vegetable in place may also help.

Grab bars: Install these in your shower or tub to help you get in and out.

Bath bench: A special seat inserted in your tub allows you to sit down while bathing. If you have a walk-in shower, consider a fold-down seat that attaches to the wall.

Foam tubing: Put foam tubing, available at hardware stores, around your toothbrush and hairbrush handles to make them easier to grasp.

Bedrail: A sturdy bedrail, available at medical supply stores, can make it easier to get in and out of bed by giving you something to hang on to. A high, firm bed is easier to get out of than a lower, softer one.

Zipper ring: Loop a key ring through your zipper to make it easier to grip and give you more leverage.

Buttonhook: This gadget eliminates fumbling with buttons. Slip the hook through your buttonhole, catch the button and pull it back through.

Long-handled shoehorn: A shoehorn that's at least 18 inches in length can greatly ease the task of getting your shoes on without bending over.

The tools and tips here are a small sample of what's available. An occupational therapist can do a customized assessment of your needs and make recommendations. Ask a doctor or local hospital for a referral.

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About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world. Doctors from every medical specialty work together to care for patients, joined by common systems and a philosophy of "the needs of the patient come first." More than 3,300 physicians, scientists and researchers and 46,000 allied health staff work at Mayo Clinic, which has sites in Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla., and Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. Collectively, the three locations treat more than half a million people each year. To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. For information about research and education visit www.mayo.edu. MayoClinic.com is available as a resource for your health stories.