Virtual Daily Living and Recreation, Sports, and Leisure Demonstration
For more information, please contact Amy Woods, OTA/L, at amy.l.woods@okstate.edu or 405-744-7734.
What is Assistive Technology (AT) for Daily Living?
- AT for daily living includes adaptive equipment.
- It helps individuals complete everyday activities.
- Devices can be low-, mid-, or high-tech.
- This category encompasses devices assisting with self-care tasks including: bathing/showering, personal hygiene/grooming, dressing, toileting, functional mobility, and self-feeding.
Common No-Tech and Low-Tech Daily Living AT Solutions:
- Ensure seating/positioning is appropriate
- Hips as far back in the chair as possible
- Seat height allows for flat feet
- Chair back is reclined (100 - 110 degree angle)
- Shoulders relaxed
- Be well-rested/conserve energy (extra time/break between tasks)
- Timers and written lists for task reminders/steps
- Schedule incorporates breaks (toileting, pressure relief, nutrition, etc.)
- Item placement within vision/reach/access; consider adding color contrast between item(s) and background
- Build-up handles (Ex. doorknobs/cabinet pulls for easier grasp)
- Remove rugs/loose carpets (decreases fall risks and/or difficulty maneuvering)
Who, When, and Where is AT for Daily Living Appropriate?
- When an individual is having difficulty independently completing self-care tasks due to physical and/or cognitive deficits
- Can be used in all settings/environments
- It is right for anyone who is not able to independently complete daily living tasks for themselves
Why is Daily Living AT Important?
- Reduces support from others (parents/caregivers, educators/paraeducators, etc.)
- Increases independence and self-efficacy during fundamental and instrumental daily living activities
- Enables individuals to improve self-confidence, self-image and self-care abilities
- Self-feeding in the cafeteria
- Toileting independently
- Manipulating clothing during/after toileting
- Dressing and undressing for gym class
- Partaking in snack time within the classroom
- Functional mobility to navigate the building(s)
- Self-feeding during a break
- Functional mobility to navigate the environment
- Toileting independently
- Manipulating clothing during/after toileting
- Performing oral hygiene after eating
- Self-feeding in the dining room
- Meal prep in the kitchen
- Toileting independently
- Manipulating clothing during/after toileting
- Shaving, washing hair, and grooming
- Dressing and undressing for the day
- Functional mobility to move to each room of the house
- Showering in the bathroom
- Brushing teeth
- Functional mobility at entertainment venues
- Self–feeding in public
- Toileting independently
- Manipulating clothing during/after toileting
- Functional mobility during shopping trips
- Q - What are fundamental daily living activities?
- A - Everyday routines involving functional mobility and personal care, such as bathing/showering, personal hygiene/grooming, dressing, toileting, functional mobility, and self-feeding. An inability to execute these activities requires one to depend on others, resulting in a self-care deficit.
- Q - What are instrumental daily living activities?
- A - Necessary activities beyond self-care required to live independently such as cleaning/maintaining the house/laundry, preparing meals/cooking, managing medications, pet care, banking/money management, yard maintenance, using the telephone/communicating, and shopping/moving within the community.
- Q - How do individuals know which piece of AT is right for specific daily living needs?
- A - Focus on tasks needing to be accomplished. Begin with simple no- to low-tech solutions as they are the easiest to use. The device needs to be comfortable for personal use.
- Q - Who can help an individual choose AT for daily living needs?
- A - Ask a health provider such as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or speech therapist for guidance on choosing a device that matches the individual's specific needs and assists them with completing the task(s). Also, each state has an AT Act Program with staff/resources to guide individuals through matching with needed AT.
AT Solutions at Oklahoma ABLE Tech:
Oklahoma ABLE Tech’s Daily Living Demonstration & Loan Inventory
Oklahoma ABLE Tech's Daily Living Reuse & Exchange Inventory
Helpful Links and PDF Resources:
- Tips for Daily Living: Tips and ideas from stroke survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals
- Assistive Technology: Companies that supply aids to daily living solutions
- Assistive Technology Ideas for Aids to Daily Living (PDF): Strategies and modifications for AT
Guides and Articles:
- Guide: WATI Assistive Technology for Activities of Daily Living (PDF): A continuum of considerations for AT from the Wisconsin AT Initiative (WATI)
- World Health Organization: AT Key Facts article
Other Resources:
- Podcast: Accessibility Minute: A weekly look at clever tools and AT devices
- Webinar: Assistive Technology for Independence in ADLs: Learn the importance and impact of using AT for Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
Check out these videos highlighting daily living devices in the Oklahoma ABLE Tech inventory: