These are examples of adaptive equipment that can be recommended to clients to continue to be independent with their activities of daily living. However, there is no specific funding for these items. These items can be purchased at a home healthcare store or online.
Cooking, Eating and Drinking #
Feeding #
Adaptive utensils designed to provide help to those who need a little comfort and support when it’s time for a great meal.
4 sets of bio-degradable and non-toxic reusable eating utensils. They are light-weight, and therefore easy to carry. These travel utensils have smooth edges to avoid cuts. They can be easily washed and cleaned with sponge or towel. The travel utensil is made of natural wheat straw, natural, safe and healthy to use.
Independence 2-Handle Plastic Mug This attractive mug is crystal clear and exceptionally strong.
he Extra Long Flexible Drinking Straws bend at three points for ease of use in just about any position. These straws were created with the reality of adapting and experimenting in mind. Not only are the Extra Long Flexible Drinking Straws bendable at three points, they can also be cut with scissors easily to gain the desired length.
EazyHold Therapist / Teacher Pack Soft silicone EazyHold daily living aids for Special Education Teachers and Occupational Therapists who would like a variety of sizes to fit many ages and abilities from infant to adult. This pack comes with 7 U cuffs for a wide range of activities. Perfect for schools, hospitals, therapy centers, and home use for a variety of daily living activities and recreation. (Best pack if you’re not sure what size fits you or your child’s hand.)
Meal prep #
DMI Verti-Grip Curved Cutting Kitchen and Dinner Knife
The Dycem 0.4mm thick anti-slip mats and pads provide a secure surface that anchors items, such as a cup, plate, tool, note pad and telephone on the table or tray. Dycem place mats improve the stability of a variety of objects during therapy and around the home. Material is reusable and easy to clean. Latex free. Circular pad, 7-1/2 inch diameter, Blue.
Easy to open lids from 1.2inch-3.5inch,The electric jar opener is made of sturdy Internal stainless steel material to ensure it is durable
The Pencil Grip is the original ergonomic writing aid. Writing becomes easy and natural. The Pencil Grip improves handwriting, helps to give more control, and reduces hand fatigue. Its unique, patented design gently encourages the fingers and hand to rest in the proper position for gripping – The Tripod Grip. Unlike other pencil grips, The Pencil Grip feels natural because of its ergonomic design and soft, flexible, latex-free material.
The original PenAgain features an ergonomic wishbone-shaped body with a finger cradle that will take your writing straight into the comfort zone.
High impact and durable. Compact text and graphics in 1 quick motion.
EazyHold Therapist / Teacher Pack Soft silicone EazyHold daily living aids for Special Education Teachers and Occupational Therapists who would like a variety of sizes to fit many ages and abilities from infant to adult. This pack comes with 7 U cuffs for a wide range of activities. Perfect for schools, hospitals, therapy centers, and home use for a variety of daily living activities and recreation. (Best pack if you’re not sure what size fits you or your child’s hand.)
The Steady Stylus works for people who have difficulties holding an object like a pen, but who are able to firmly grasp something with their hand. What you get is a durable, fully conductive T-shaped stylus.
Computer Accessibility #
There are several options for enabling computer use.
- Clients may also adjust accessibility settings to make keyboard and mouse use easier for hand weakness.
- Handout for changing Windows 10 Accessibility options .
- Other resources for changing computer accessibility options:
- If the client requires more individualized customizations or alternative access for computer use, clients should be referred to an AAC Writing Aids Clinic.
Self Care #
Dressing #
Some of these items may not be useful for clients with ALS in the long-term, but may be helpful for caregivers, especially if they experience limitations with bending.
This shoe horn is made of HEAVY DUTY STAINLESS STEEL to never let you down when you need it most! Our long-handled shoe horn is thicker (and heavier) than every other comparable shoehorn on the market today, weighing in approximately 200 grams – whereas most other 18-inch shoe horns weigh between 100 and 120 grams.
The Lifestyle Essentials Max Metal Shoe Horn prevents the need to bend when putting on shoes.
This Dressing And Reaching Stick can aid in independent dressing and is ideal or people with limb and flexibility restrictions. One end of the Dressing And Reaching Stick has a plastic hook that can be used to pick up and pull on clothing. The opposite end has a plastic stop that can aid in positioning garments without tearing or damaging them.
Walk around in comfort with these wide, lightweight walking shoes!
Womens Wide Adjustable Sandals Indoor Outdoor Sandals Adjustable With Straps Brand
Summer calls for shoes you can kick off at a moment’s notice – and these slip-on Chucks deliver.
The leather BILLY Footwear™ Chukka has a streamline yet roomy fit that is ideal for everyday wear. Features a front full-length zipper closure with FlipTop™ technology that allows for easy on and off.
Friendly Shoes feature a zipper opening making the shoe remarkably easy to put on and take off. We call this Easy Shoe Access technology, and it works. Simply turn your foot into the shoe and pull the zipper to secure it for a proper fit. You’ll wish all your shoes had ESA!
The reason why Friendly Shoes is making waves in the adaptive clothing industry is because of its function. These shoes are specifically designed for people who have mobility challenges. But, you wouldn’t know it looking at them; the patented ESA zipper is discrete 😉
The line of Friendly Shoes, MEDIMOTO, feature handcrafted top-grain sustainable leather. These shoes are specifically designed for people who have mobility challenges. Friendly Shoes increase mobility and independence by discretely accommodating more adaptive needs than any other shoe technology – without sacrificing fashion, comfort, or support. Easier and better shoe experience: Friendly Shoes.
Include a variety of aids for daily living to help during recovery.
Easily reach high shelves, behind furniture and appliances and in other tight spaces with the suction reacher by Vive. The lightweight brushed aluminum frame is corrosion-resistant and provides an additional 32” of reach for any individual. Perfect for those with limited mobility, arthritis, painful back conditions and those recovering from surgery.
The Lifestyle Essentials Hand Held Reacher assists with reducing bending and stretching.
The fast and easy way to put your socks on & take them off, easy to use; Place your sock on the slider kit,and slide your foot in. You can watch our video on how to use it, it will help you put on your socks more easily. This Slider kits works with most types of socks, regardless of whether you choose dress socks, casual ones, athletic ones.
Aids the user to put on socks, stockings or tights easily, without the need to bend down. Simply roll the sock, stocking or tights onto the aid, slip in your foot, then use the straps to pull the clothing item up the leg.
For anyone who has difficulty bending and/or reaching their feet, this sock aid is ideal for arthritis sufferers.
The perfect solution for putting on stockings. The round edges help to prevent snags. The easy glide strips help your foot slide into your sock or stocking. Comes with a built-in shoehorn and hinges.
The String Sock Aid assists with putting your socks on, requiring one hand and minimal bending. This product is best suited for those with some strength in their legs.
The Stewart night shirt is made with a classic and cozy flannel texture. Discover the perfect style for anyone looking to lounge around in total comfort or have a restful night. The V-neck and long sleeves are finished with a rib cuff. Full open back with snap closures.
Comfort at its best to be worn day or night! Cozy flannel fabric featuring a round collar with 3/4 sleeves and front pin tuck pleats with non-functional placket. The Elsa nightgown is designed to avoid bunching while sleeping which means a good night’s sleep. Open back design with snap closures for easy dressing.
Sleep easy in this striped pink nightgown. Knit cotton blend provides all around comfort. Gentle and delicate, ideal for sensitive skin.
NICKI TROUSERS are designed with your needs in mind, making it a timeless piece of clothing that you can rely on time and time again.
FRANCES PENCIL SKIRT IN BLACK is designed with your needs in mind, making it a timeless piece of clothing that you can rely on time and time again.
Grooming #
Improve your oral health with the new Philips Sonicare daily clean featuring unique and effective Sonicare technology that cleans where plaque hides.
The Oral-B Vitality Dual Clean electric toothbrush provides a superior clean vs. a regular manual toothbrush.
Etac Long Handled Hair Brush is curved for the best comfort and control when combing/brushing the hair. The handle is oval and has a non-slip surface which enables a secure grip. The Beauty hairbrush come in two lengths. The shorter version is recommended when the user can reach up to the ear. The longer version is suitable for users who only can reach to the shoulder.
This long reach handled comb and hair brush set is a unique long-handled comb and brush brush set offers greater independence for those with limited dexterity. The extra-long, ergonomic curved handle, makes it easy to style hair from front to back with minimal shoulder and upper arm movement.
Other household items #
Unique handle slot allows the addition of a cord for people with limited reach!
The heavy-duty Blue Key Turner helps users with limited hand strength or coordination to turn a key. The large grip handle provides increased leverage to help turn a key with less effort.
ProCare Toilet Seat Safety Rail provides users added stability while lowering onto and rising from the toilet. This non-invasive frame is ideal for anyone with limited mobility, stability issues, or recovering from surgery.
Designed to prevent slip and falls when getting on or off a toilet
HealthCraft SuperPole Bariatric with SuperBar is an innovative, horizontal pivoting and locking bar that mounts to the Bariatric SuperPole and improves safety with additional gripping and weight bearing support. The SuperBar has eight locking positions, one every 45 degrees, for superior centralized support as user move. Simply lift the rail and move the bar to automatically lock it into the next position.
If you suffer from poor balance, arthritis, limited mobility, or injury issues, you know how difficult many everyday activities can be. Don’t let something as simple as using the bathroom be one of them! Using the Toilet Safety Rail offers secure assistance when sitting on, or standing up from, the toilet. This free standing unit is assembled easily without tools to surround your existing toilet, whether standard or elongated. The padded handles are easy to grip and comfortable to rest your arms on. It even has a handy magazine rack attached to keep your reading materials in reach!
Resources & Further Reading #
- https://www.youralsguide.com/adl-devices.html – this website may provide more ideas about adaptive aids that could be useful to recommend to clients with ALS
- https://makersmakingchange.com/ – This organization can also provide low-cost alternatives to assistive technologies.
- https://www.marchofdimes.ca/en-ca/programs/am/designability – This program by March of Dimes can offer custom-built solutions and modifications.
