There are thousands of products on the market that can be purchased to make daily living easier for home care patients. Individuals are able to use these tools to maintain some independence that would otherwise be taken away due to problems with mobility, vision, hearing, etc. Not only are they beneficial for the individuals using them, but they also help caregivers to focus on aiding in areas that are needed, rather than with simple tasks that can be done independently with the right equipment. It will also boost confidence and self-esteem due to a lesser need for dependence on someone else. A simple search of the internet for assistive devices will bring up an abundance of products. The following are some items you may not have thought of, that are available based on areas of need. Think outside of the box. You may find some things you didn’t even know were out there to make life easier. Mobility

• Lift chairs
• A variety of canes and walkers
• Grab bars for the car
• Hand controls/ low energy steering wheels for the car

Dexterity

• Playing card holders
• Clamps to hold small objects
• Dressing aids that help with putting on socks/shoes and buttoning/zippering clothing
• Attachable handles for beverage containers (such as 2 liter bottles of soda)
• Special utensils that are more comfortable for people with arthritis
• Cooking aids, such as pan handle stabilizers, grips, and electric can openers

Vision

• Talking watches, clocks and thermometers
• Book page/ computer screen magnifiers
• Large button remotes, calculators and keyboards

Hearing

• Hearing aids with digital technology
• Headphones to block out other noises

People providing long term care for their loved ones might consider implementing some of these tools into their home. The more independence an elderly or disabled family member has, the less stress you will experience. Another great tool to utilize for individuals supplying Maine long term care is a home care agency like MAS Home Care. They can supply support services and respite care. If you are having a problem performing daily tasks that were once easy, don’t get discouraged. There is probably an assistive device out there that can help. It just takes a little searching.