Modifying the environment, adapting the task or addressing underlying impairments can maximizes a person’s safety and independence when completing meaningful tasks.
*It is important to consult your primary care physician, specialty physician or appropriate health professional. These strategies will not be appropriate for every individual and this is not medical advice. These are just factors to consider and general ideas.
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Addressing Underlying Impairments
(*Reminder: Must speak with your doctor)
- Exercise to improve strength, endurance, coordination and balance.
- Formal Rehabilitation/ Therapy (Need an order from physician) to improve function and minimize falls.
- Address Underlying Disease Processes (*never try to self diagnose, make an appointment with your doctor to see if an underlying disease is the issue) : check for infections, pain management strategies, medications or alternatives to improve breathing, reasons for swelling, reasons for fatigue, dizziness or balance disturbances, etc.
- Address possible Medication Side Effects (*Never attempt to stop, adjust or start a medication on your own without consulting a doctor): Ask if medications could be contributing to mental changes, fatigue, falls or other issues.
Modify the Environment
- Changes within the home: Install a walk-in shower, widen doorways, increase lighting for those with low vision, put in a ramp for easy access, add grab bars by the toilet or shower, etc.
- Durable Medical Equipment: Shower chair, hospital bed, Bed side commode or toilet riser, etc.
- Adaptive Equipment: reacher to get items from the floor, long handled sponge to wash feet and back, long handled shoe horn, magnifying glass with light for low vision, pill organizer for medications, special equipment for those with arthritis, etc.
- Adaptive Technologies: automatic bill dispensers, robotic vacuums, automatic litter boxes, smart wearable technology, etc.
Change the Approach to the Task
- Compensatory Approaches: learn 1 handed techniques (broken arm, stroke), request items in large print or listen to books on tape for visual issues, use joint protection techniques for those with arthritis, etc.
- Behavioral Modifications: schedule appointments in the afternoon if requiring extra time to get ready, set an alarm to remember to take medications, go to the bathroom every 2 hours to minimize incontinence, etc.
See Aging Uniquely’s Tips for Aging Adults for more ideas!
A Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) is an expert in making home modifications to promote adults to age in place. An occupational therapist can assist with making recommendations in the home, addressing some underlying impairments and equipment training.
See Aging Uniquely’s Resources for CAPs specialist.
Read more about Professionals that can help someone Age in Place here.
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Aging Uniquely Health and Legal Disclaimer:
By continuing with this site, you are agreeing that you acknowledge and understand this disclaimer in full and will not hold Aging Uniquely, parent companies or content creators liable for the information or use of information on this site because everyone ages uniquely and has unique needs. The content on Aging Uniquely sites is for general information purposes only and Aging Uniquely does not provide medical or health advice. It is not a substitute for medical or health professional advice and you should never ignore professional medical advice or delay seeking emergency care because of something you read on the Aging Uniquely website or social media platforms. If you are experiencing a medical emergency call 911 or seek emergency services. Aging Uniquely is not responsible for what may happen if you use their information in place of medical or professional advice. You are responsible for your own health and safety or how you apply this advice to adults/older adults you support. I highly recommend you consult the proper qualified medical or health profession before implementing any information from Aging Uniquely or other health related websites.