Technological Aids for Self-Care and Environmental Adaptations

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Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Mahbubur Rahman, Naomi O'Reilly, Kim Jackson and Ewa Jaraczewska      

Defining Self Care

Self-Care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness. It is a broad concept encompassing hygiene (general and person

al), nutrition (type and quality of food eaten), lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure etc), environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.) socio-economic factors (income level, cultural beliefs, etc.) and self-medication.

• Self-care is the fundamental level of health care in all societies and should be seen as a major public health resource.
• Self-care is often unrecognised and underappreciated.

Examples

Self Care and Environment Products adapt the environment, rather than the person, to support identified needs, choice, and control. These assistive devices may compensate for impairments and functional limitations and enable a quicker, safer, or more-efficient performance of everyday activities. Products may address vision, hearing, fine and gross motor, sensory, cognitive, communication, safety, and learning.

• Physical modifications in the built environment, including ramps, grab bars, and wider doorways to enable access to buildings, businesses, and workplaces.
• Lightweight, high-performance mobility devices that enable persons with disabilities to play sports and be physically active.
• Adaptive switches and utensils to allow those with limited motor skills to eat, play games, and accomplish other activities.
• Devices and features of devices to help perform tasks such as cooking, dressing, and grooming; specialized handles and grips, tub benches abs shower stools, devices that extend reach, and lights on telephones and doorbells.
• Large-print or talking devices.
• Wheelchair
• Car seat
• Pressure mattress
• Sling or hoist
• Complex home modifications
• Mobile or ceiling hoist
• Reminders applications

Home adaptation, using these devices, is a complex procedure whose implementation involves the execution of multiple actions

• detection of individual needs
• contact with several specialised professional profiles
• visits to orthopaedics or companies in the sector
• selection of the right device
• search for financing options
• purchase and installation of the selected assistive products

Cost Barriers

Despite the growing need, one of the primary barriers to obtaining needed or wanted self care and environmental products is cost; ie a large number of people with disabilities cannot afford them and get no reimbursement for them through existing funding systems. Eg tub benches have been found to support function and safety, they are typically not funded through third-party reimbursement systems, as they are considered “optional” and do not qualify as durable medical equipment. In response, a number of initiatives have occurred to increase access. Eg In the United States, a national network of alternative financing programs offers a consumer-directed program and range of alternative financing strategies to increase access to funding for these products and other technologies; Canada and Sweden, have implemented delivery systems that offer more-extensive access to these products as part of integrated community living plans.

References