BENEFITS OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

For many seniors, assistive technology makes the difference between being able to live independently and having to get long-term nursing or home-health care. For others, assistive technology is critical to the ability to perform simple activities of daily living, such as bathing and going to the bathroom.

According to a 1993 study conducted by the National Council on Disability, 80 percent of the elderly persons who used assistive technology were able to reduce their dependence on others. In addition, half of those surveyed reduced their dependence on paid helpers, and half were able to avoid entering nursing homes. Assistive technology can also reduce the costs of care for the elderly and their families. Although families may need to make monthly payments for some pieces of equipment, for many, this cost is much less than the cost of home-health or nursing-home care.

Assistive technology

Assistive technology was defined in the research as ‘any device or system that allows an individual to perform a task that they would otherwise be unable to do, or increases the ease and safety with which the task can be performed’ (Cowan and Turner-Smith 1999).

Precise definitions of assistive devices vary slightly, but the European HEART project (Horizontal European activities in rehab. Tech) (1993-5) defined assistive technology as ‘Any product, instrument, strategy, service & practice used by people with disabilities and older people – specially produced or generally available – to prevent, compensate, relieve or neutralize the impairment, disability or handicap and improve individual’s autonomy & quality of life’. (Jensen 1999 p 80)

I woke up this morning
I couldn't even get out of bed
I stumbled on my feet to brush my teeth
and I didn't have the strength...to find my sink

(chorus)
It sounds like I need some OT
It sounds like I need some OT
It sounds like I need some occupational therapy

So they dragged me out of bed
To do some therapy activity
To bake a cake and fold some clothes
They told me I can't go home
unless I'm safe when I'm alone
It looks to me instead...that someone is just lazy

(chorus)
It sounds like I need some OT
It sounds like I need some OT
It sounds like I need some occupational therapy

So if you find yourself putting on your t-shirt wrong
or sometimes wondering if you've left your stove on
Lets make it very clear...You don't need physical therapy

(chorus)
It sounds like you need some OT
It sounds like you need some OT
It sounds like you need some occupational therapy
lalalalalalalalala

Now wait a minute, is there a speech therapist in the house?

(Chorus)
It sounds like you need some OT
It sounds like you need some OT
It sounds like you need some occupational therapy

Sometimes we forget about that other therapy
we always seem to think physical therapy
but without OT, people are going to think...and would be stinky

So thank you, OT
For all you do, thank you
Thank you, thank you occupational therapy