Assistive and Adaptive Equipment for Seniors: The Ultimate Guide
Written by Jordan McElwain — Updated: Monday, December 16, 2024
Reaching for a jar, pulling on socks, or stepping into the shower can become challenging when you experience arthritis, limited mobility, or balance concerns. Frustrating as these changes may be, adaptive and assistive equipment can help you maintain your independence and continue doing the things you love.
From simple solutions like sock aids to safety improvements like grab bars, this equipment helps make everyday tasks more manageable. We'll explore when you might benefit from these tools, examine the available types, and explain how your insurance may help cover the costs.
Why do people need assistive and adaptive equipment?
Daily activities like getting dressed, preparing meals, or moving around your home can become more challenging when you experience strength, balance, or flexibility changes.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 2.5 billion people worldwide need one or more assistive products, a number that is expected to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050.
Assistive and adaptive equipment helps older adults:
Avoid falls: Falls are a leading cause of injury for seniors. Mobility devices like grab bars, walkers, wheelchairs, and canes provide added stability and support, reducing the risk of falls.
Feel more confident: With the proper devices, older adults can feel more independent, boosting their confidence and helping them feel more in control of their lives.
Maintain a better quality of life: When older adults can continue to do the things they enjoy—like preparing meals, gardening, or going for walks—they can maintain their physical and mental well-being, leading to a happier and more fulfilling life.
Feel more comfortable: Ergonomic grips, cushions, specialized car seats, long straws, and customized toilet seats are just a few accessories that can make everyday tasks less painful.
Assistive vs. Adaptive equipment
You may hear these terms used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between them. Assistive equipment is a more general term, while adaptive is a sub-category.
Assistive
Assistive equipment helps older adults with tasks they may not be able to do otherwise due to a disability, lack of strength, or another medical condition. These devices provide stability and support to complete activities like walking, hearing, or communicating.
Adaptive
Adaptive equipment helps modify the environment to suit the user's needs. This equipment helps older adults independently complete tasks that might otherwise be difficult, like getting dressed, tying shoelaces, grooming, and eating. Some adaptive devices are made for the person instead of being a one-size-fits-all product.
When do people need assistive and adaptive equipment?
The need for assistive and adaptive equipment can occur at various ages or timelines, depending on the individual's health and daily challenges. Many older adults need adaptive devices when they experience difficulty with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, or walking.
Falls are a leading cause of injury among adults over 65, and assistive equipment can help prevent accidents. As soon as you or someone you care for has difficulty with mobility, balance, or completing everyday tasks safely, it's a good time to consider assistive and adaptive devices, regardless of age.
Types of assistive and adaptive equipment
There are many types of assistive devices to help those with impaired motor skills, balance, speech, vision, and mobility issues. Used correctly, they can significantly improve older adults' independence and comfort.
Hearing and vision aids
Hearing aids: Hearing aids are assistive technology that amplifies sound. There are many different sizes, types, and intensities.
Screen reader: A screen reader converts written text, like email or webpages, into speech or braille for visually impaired people.
Magnifying glass: This simple tool makes text larger. Use it to read newspapers, medicine bottles, books, and more.
Large button electronics: Phones, remotes, and have options with larger buttons for older adults with impaired vision.
Dressing aids
Shoe horn: This tool helps seniors slide their feet into shoes without bending over, reducing strain on the back and joints.
Dressing stick: A dressing stick allows users to pull clothes on or off without lifting their arms, making it easier to get dressed.
Button hooks: If you have minimal dexterity, arthritis, or pain, this tool helps you fasten buttons on pants, shirts, or jackets without strain.
Zipper pulls: These small devices attach to a zipper, making it easier to zip up or down without needing extra hand strength.
Sock aids: A sock aid allows you to stay upright and seated instead of leaning down to put socks on.
Eating and drinking aids
Adaptive utensils: Larger and stickier grips make these utensils easier to grab and keep a hold of.
Plate guards: A plate guard attaches to the edge of a plate to prevent food from spilling over, especially for people with tremors or difficulty holding utensils.
Long straws and cups with handles: Cups with built-in handles and long straws can make drinking more manageable for those who struggle to lift traditional cups.
Sleeping aids
Bed rails: Rails ensure you don't roll out of bed and provide support when standing up or sitting down.
Adjustable bed: Adjustable beds allow the user to raise or lower the head or foot of the bed to improve circulation, comfort, and ease of getting in and out of bed.
Bathroom aids
Grab bars: Installed near the toilet, shower, or bathtub, grab bars offer support and stability, reducing the risk of falls.
Raised toilet seat: Raised toilet seats make sitting down and standing up easier for people with knee or hip pain.
Non-slip mats: The bathroom floor (inside or outside the tub) is often slippery. These mats provide a grippy surface to reduce the risk of falling.
Sponge sticks: This simple tool allows older adults to easily wash their body without needing to lean over too much or risk their stability.
Shower chair: A shower chair provides a safe place to sit while showering, helping older adults maintain their balance and avoid slipping.
Mobility aids
Orthotic shoes: Designed to provide extra support, orthotic shoes help with walking, balance, and comfort. They're often used in conjunction with another mobility aid.
Cane: This lightweight, portable walking device can help those who need slightly more security while walking or are recovering from an injury.
Walker: A walker provides more stability than a cane. There are various styles, including a standard walker and a rollator.
Ramps or a stairlift: Home modifications like ramps and stairlifts can make moving between floors safer and easier for those who have difficulty navigating stairs.
Scooter or wheelchair: For more serious mobility impairments, a wheelchair or mobility scooter is a great option. You can use them for quick trips or more extended periods. If you choose a manual wheelchair, you may require the help of a caregiver to get around if you don't have sufficient upper body strength.
Choosing the right equipment
Investing in the proper assistive and adaptive equipment can improve your quality of life. When deciding, it's essential to keep your specific needs, physical abilities, and environment in mind. Here are some tips to help make the selection process easier:
Assess your needs: Identify which daily activities are becoming difficult or unsafe. Do you need help walking, bathing, eating, or something else? Getting one of everything is tempting, but it's likely unnecessary.
Consult a healthcare provider: Before purchasing assistive or medical equipment, it's a good idea to consult a doctor, occupational therapist, or other healthcare professional. They can recommend the most appropriate tools based on your condition and abilities.
Test run various devices: Many stores that sell this type of equipment allow you to test the product before purchasing it. If that's not the case, ask about the return policy.
Prioritize comfort and safety: Some products can cause more harm than good if they're not the proper size for your body. Make sure the equipment is comfortable and safe to use.
Consider portability: If you travel or go out often, consider how portable the equipment is. Devices like folding walkers or lightweight canes may be more convenient for travel.
Consider pricing: Assistive and adaptive equipment can range in price, so it's essential to consider your budget. While safety and comfort should always come first, it's a good idea to prioritize your most essential needs.
Does insurance cover assistive and adaptive equipment?
Many adaptive devices are built for comfort and ease, not medical necessity. Unless the adaptive equipment is considered medically necessary, insurance generally will not cover it.
However, Medicare and other insurance plans will sometimes cover assistive devices (for walking, hearing, and communication impairments) for older Americans or people with disabilities.
Some Medicare plans may cover all or partial costs for equipment such as:
Communication boards
Commode chairs
Shower chairs
Lifts
Walkers
Canes
Pressure-reducing support surfaces
Hearing aids
Moving forward with confidence
Assistive and adaptive equipment can help older adults maintain their independence, improve safety, and enhance their overall quality of life. By investing in the right products, you can continue doing what you love while minimizing the risks and challenges of age.
Start by identifying which activities have become challenging, then talk with your doctor or occupational therapist about which tools might help.
Want to understand more about what Medicare will and won't cover? Speak to a Chapter Medicare Advisor to understand all of your Medicare benefits. Contact an agent at 855-900-2427 or schedule a time to chat.