Seniors Helping Seniors welcomes Meaghan Fitzgerald Walls, President and CEO of Assistology, LLC, located here in Omaha NE. Assistology provides Assistive Technology (AT) solutions that enable individuals to have increased participation in activities that improve functional abilities for daily living, as well as overall quality of life. In this monthly series Meaghan will discuss different aspects of AT and the benefits to our senior population.
When I mention Assistive Technology (AT) the majority of the time people jump right to wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids and other Durable Medical Equipment. While these ARE Assistive Technology, they are just the tip of the iceberg.
Assistive Technology is anything that a makes it easier for you to do the things you enjoy.
This means that AT comes in many sneaky shapes and with endless applications. This is a good thing. It means that the items are mainstream – easy and affordable to access and “socially acceptable”.
The goal of AT is to remove barriers for your participation in life’s activities – whether at home, work, school or in the community.
- Is Arthritis making it difficult to open jars or cans? What about cook on the stove or bake cookies?
- Declining vision making it difficult to read your mail, favorite magazine, recipes or medication labels?
- Are you finding it increasingly difficult to play cards or tend to your garden?
- Is your biggest challenge to attending community events feeling confident in getting in and out of the car?
- Do you wish you had a way to control your lights, thermostat and hear the news without having to walk all over your house?
- Do you miss your exercise routines due to concerns with balance or strength?
There is AT for that!
In the kitchen using a hands-free jar or can opener, folding pot stabilizer and cooking utensils with adapted grips could help you regain your independence in your favorite kitchen activities.
A wide range of magnifier options can provide just the right amount of support to help you regain your independence and confidence with regard to written materials.
AT for recreational purposes is almost endless. There are alternatives for playing cards with increased font and high contrast colors. There are card and game piece holders that relieve your tired hands for easier access to games. Adapted gardening tools make it possible to fully engage in all aspects of gardening. Check out our Let’s Play! Adapted lo-tech recreational Blog:
https://assistologyomaha.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/lets-play-part-1-low-tech-recreational-activities/
There are so many ways to engage in fitness, even from a seated position!
Let’s Play! Adapted Fitness Blog:
https://assistologyomaha.wordpress.com/2017/10/30/lets-play-part-3-adapted-fitness/
Getting in and out of the car just got easier thanks to a few minor pieces of AT that help relieve the stress on your joints and give you greater balance through the various phases of getting in and out of the car.
Using a home automation system like the Amazon Echo (Alexa) can give you the freedom and flexibility to control the environment, make grocery lists or get information/news using simple voice commands or a smart phone app.
Assistology offers you the unique expertise you need to identify solutions that will enable you or a loved one to be more engaged and independent in the activities that give the day purpose.
Learn more about us at: https://assistologyomaha.wordpress.com/