An Assistive Home
By Canning, John; Action Magazine,Publication Date: April 14, 2008
Article discusses steps to take to make an assistive home for a person with a mobility disability. The author, who has multiple sclerosis and lives in a three-story home, defines an assistive home as one filled with low cost devices that help a person get through the day with as little struggle as possible. Examples of assistive devices given are grab bars, canes, and transfer devices. Advice for creating an assistive home includes assessing problem areas by (1) asking “Can this be done differently”; (2) using common sense solutions first; and (3) researching solutions by talking to friends, consulting an occupational therapist, and looking on the web for assistive devices. The author offers illustrative examples from personal experience, such as making transfer from his wheelchair to his bed easier and safer by installing a bed rail found on the web and having the legs of the bed shortened by two inches; and facilitating dressing by being seated in the wheelchair to dress, aided by a pull-down grab bar, and placing shoes, belts, and underwear in a long bookcase bought for the purpose and placed next to the grab bar.
Published by: United Spinal Association (Website:http://www.unitedspinal.org)
Link to text: http://www.unitedspinal.org/publications/action/2008/04/15/an-assistive-home/
