Adaptive Living
Living well with new abilities.
Home accessibility, adaptive tech, prosthetics, and vehicle modifications for lasting independence.
Guides & articles
Client-centered home modifications improve daily activity performance of older adults - PMC
This study looked at how making changes to older adults' homes, based on their personal needs, helped them with everyday tasks. Researchers found that after these home changes, older adults felt much better about doing their daily activities, and this improvement lasted for at least two years. This suggests that modifying homes to fit an older person's needs can help them live independently and comfortably in their own homes for longer.
Source: National Library of Medicine
The Physical Environment and Home Health Care - The Role of Human Factors in Home Health Care - NCBI Bookshelf
The way our homes are built plays a big role in our health, especially as we get older or if we have health problems. Our homes can either help us stay independent and manage our health, or they can create dangers and make it harder to live safely. Many homes aren't designed to support health needs, leading to accidents and difficulties for people trying to live on their own or receive care. To fix this, we need to think about how homes can be designed to be helpful and safe for everyone, like making changes that support healthy living and make it easier to get healthcare at home. This means overcoming challenges like confusing payment systems, disconnected healthcare services, outdated building rules, and people not realizing how important their home environment is for their well-being.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Assistive devices - Community-Based Rehabilitation: CBR Guidelines - NCBI Bookshelf
Assistive devices are tools that help people with disabilities do everyday tasks and live more independently. These devices can be simple, like a walking stick, or more complex, like a motorized wheelchair. Many countries, especially those with fewer resources, struggle to provide enough of these important tools, which can keep people with disabilities from getting an education or finding work. Community-based rehabilitation programs aim to help people get the right devices, learn how to use them, and make sure they can be repaired, ultimately improving their quality of life.
Source: National Library of Medicine
The Impact of Disability and Assistive Technology Use on Well-Being in Later Life: Findings From the National Health and Aging Trends Study - PMC
This study looked at how using assistive technology affects the well-being of older adults with disabilities. Researchers found that while assistive technologies can help people with daily tasks, they don't always fully meet their needs. When the technology no longer helps enough, older adults often experience a drop in their well-being. This means it's important for assistive technologies to be designed to truly support older adults' changing needs and help them stay independent.
Source: National Library of Medicine
Living Well with a Disability, a Self-Management Program | MMWR
The "Living Well with a Disability" program helps people with disabilities manage their health and improve their quality of life. This program teaches important skills like talking to doctors, getting health information, staying active, eating well, and advocating for their needs. It has been offered in many states and has helped thousands of people, leading to better health and saving money on healthcare costs. The program focuses on helping individuals set and achieve personal goals to build confidence and make lasting healthy changes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
The use of assistive technology to promote practical skills in persons with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities: A systematic review - PMC
People with autism and/or intellectual disabilities often struggle with daily tasks, social activities, and managing themselves because they have trouble planning and dealing with changes. This review looked at how assistive technologies (like special devices and services) can help. The studies showed that these technologies, such as virtual reality, mobile apps, and interactive software, can greatly improve social skills, communication, and independence in daily life for these individuals. It's important for professionals to know about these fast-changing technologies and how they can be used to help people with autism and intellectual disabilities live more independently and be more involved in their communities.
Source: National Library of Medicine