Adaptation techniques in OT, Lecture notes of Occupational therapy

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Adapting

&Adaptive

Equipment

Aim

• (^) To be fully aware of how the environment

can be physically adapted to facilitate

independence in all areas of life and how

equipment and locally available materials

can be utilized

Cont’d

• (^) At times we modify existing equipment (equipment which we all use on a day to day basis) to suit the needs of people with disabilities. E.g. we might build up the handle of a pen with tape to make it easier for someone with arthritis to grip; we might bend a spoon in a certain way to make it easier for someone with an elbow contracture to bring it to their mouth.

Cont’d

• (^) We can say that we have adapted the equipment.
• (^) We can also modify or adapt the person’s environment (such as their home, workplace..) to enhance their level of function, such as installing a ramp where steps are, putting a bench in the bathroom, lowering the height of cupboards so someone in a wheelchair can reach them.

Why do we adapt equipment or the environment?

• (^) The person may have difficulty using standard equipment so we can adapt the equipment to suit their needs
• (^) There may be no equipment available which meets the needs of the patient so we may need to create, design and manufacture equipment
• (^) To increase a person’s independence & the quality of the person’s performance

Cont’d

• (^) To increase self esteem of the user (If they can complete the activity better, they feel more competent)
• (^) Sometimes to reduce the demands of the activity (eg we might use a tap turner, a long handled aid to turn taps on and off, to make it easier for someone with reduced hand grip)

Before we manufacture or prescribe consider ...

• (^) Diagnosis/prognosis
• (^) Understand the patient’s problem well
• (^) How long has the person had this problem?
• (^) Is equipment the best solution?
• (^) If so, should it be complimented with something else such as therapy program?
• (^) What is their current level of function?

Cont’d

• (^) What condition is the patient in? Do they have lots of pain, open wounds etc.
• (^) Will they remember to use the equipment?
• (^) Will they be able to work out how to use it independently?
• (^) What is their physical, social and cultural environment like?
• (^) Will the aid make the person look more disabled?
• (^) Is the environment too hot for them to use this aid?
• (^) What will happen to the equipment if it gets wet/dirty?

Cont’d

• (^) What is their cognition and perception like?
• (^) Personal attitude & Environment of the person
• (^) Economic status
• (^) Impact of the adaptations on person’s esteem, roles, position and value
• (^) Ability to use the equipment
• (^) Understand the needs, habits of the person

When is Adaptive Equipment or Adaptations Used?

• (^) Acute stage/phase
• (^) Active rehabilitation phase

In order to make adaptations or prescribe suitable

adaptive equipment we need to work through the

same steps of the general OT process:-

Assessment, Planning, Treatment, Evaluate.

Advantages

• (^) Helps enhance person’s independence, quality of life, self –esteem
• (^) Makes activities easier
• (^) Can reduce the energy, and time needed to complete activities
• (^) Some equipment helps prevent further dysfunction;
• (^) Can help reduce the strain on the person’s carer
• (^) e.g. a pressure care cushion helps prevent the development of pressure sores

Disadvantages

• (^) Can be costly
• (^) If not made or fitted correctly, equipment can cause discomfort, pressure etc
• (^) Repairing the equipment can be costly
• (^) Person may become too much dependant on the equipment or in certain adapted environment
• (^) May attract more attention to person’s disability
• (^) Some people feel more disabled using aids/equipment