Assistive Technology for Home Healthcare

Bring assistive technology for home healthcare straight to your patients
By Nikki Davis Scientific advances have revolutionized adaptive and assistive technology for home healthcare. From alternative computer access to electronic aids to daily living to mobility, seating, positioning and more, assistive technology in healthcare has become an enormous field.

Assistive technology in healthcare and adaptive equipment companies can be your ultimate solutions providers for elderly or disabled patients. From disabled bathroom products to computer products for the physically challenged to eating products for the disabled, home healthcare technology helps pave the way to normal living for those who need a hand with day-to-day activities. When researching assistive technology for home healthcare, keep the following in mind:

1. Determine whether the assistive technology in healthcare products and services are for your private practice or a larger organization, like a clinic or hospital.

2. Select reputable adaptive equipment companies that stand by their products and services.

3. Ask colleagues for their recommendations on the best assistive technology products and services.

Research the full spectrum of technology in home healthcare

Assess the needs of your patients and research what's available to best meet those needs. Technology in home healthcare products ranges from visual assistance to mobility, seating and positioning products to disabled computer adaptations keyguard and more.
Try:  Choose from a variety of assistive products from Enhanced Vision. Use The Boulevard as a directory for a wide range of disability resources and assistive technology. Look at the hardware and software solutions for people with physical, cognitive, and speech disabilities from Tobii ATI. Use the National Public Website on Assistive Technology for assistive technology (AT) and disability-related information.

Use computer-based assistive technology in healthcare solutions

Take full advantage of the options in computerized home healthcare technology to offer your patients the best possible care, such as speech recognition, screen readers, touch screens, switch activated caregiver pages and large format keyboards.
Try:  Assistive Computer Technology offers products that can give you speech recognition, on screen keyboards, keyboard filters, touch screens and alternate input devices. Maxi-Aids sells text magnifier software and other independent living aids. Magnifying Aids is another magnification supply company for those with visual disabilities.

Modify your client's home for improved safety and accessibility using home healthcare technology

Look for home modification information to help update your patient's home with assistive technology in healthcare.
Try:  Check out the information on home modification from Institute on Disabilities at Temple University. Take a look at the products from the National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification. You can review the government's information on home modification for the elderly through the Department of Health and Human Services.

• Help your clients work with Medicaid and Medicare to help them with funding of their assistive technology products. These programs will often help supplement the cost of the products or services.