Adaptive Equipment Ideas

When you are disabled due to age, disease, injury or birth defect, doing ordinary tasks such as buttoning a coat or slicing a carrot for dinner becomes difficult. To make everyday life easier, you can create adaptive equipment out of materials already in your home. By doing so you'll become less dependent on other people.

Zippers

• Whether you have difficulty grasping small objects with your fingers or controlling the movement of your entire arm, zipping up coats can be difficult. To make this everyday task easier, attach a large key to your coat zipper. Having a larger object attached to the zipper not only makes it easier to grasp but also easier to pull it up and down. You can also attach a large paperclip to the zipper for the same results.

Knobs

• If you have problems operating your hands or reaching knobs because of confinement to a wheelchair, turning knobs on appliances can be troublesome. To aid with turning the knobs on the washer, dryer or stove, use a W-shaped potato masher by hooking the masher end on the knob. You may already have one of these potato mashers in a kitchen drawer.

Chopping

• If your disability doesn't allow you chop vegetables and you love to cook, you can drive a nail into a wooden cutting board so the sharp end faces upwards. You will need to use a nail made out of a food-safe material such as aluminum or stainless steel. Also, you should file down the point of the nail until it's slightly blunted. This will make it less hazardous. When you want to chop a potato, carrot or other vegetable, impale it on the nail. This will keep it steady while you chop.

Buttons

• Velcro makes excellent adaptive equipment for people who struggle with buttons on shirts, coats and sweaters. Simply sew or glue Velcro on the garment and getting dressed and undressed will become quicker and less frustrating.

Crutches

• If your disability---whether permanent or temporary---requires the use of crutches, a walker or a cane, wear leather gloves. Leather gloves will help you keep a better grip on the walking aid and help prevent you from injuring yourself in a fall.