Taking prescription medication is part of everyday life for 34% of American adults. Unfortunately, a common side effect of medication is dizziness, which can lead to falls and sometimes result in hospitalizations. This was the scenario experienced by an elderly woman who came to IPAT looking for help. She wanted ideas on how to cope with or eliminate the medication induced dizziness she experienced doing everyday tasks. For her, stopping the medications was not an option, so we began to analyze the tasks that made her dizzy. We discovered that each of the troublesome tasks required her to bend over.
We then tried various assistive technology devices to help her do the tasks she found most dizzying; putting on her shoes and socks, and applying lotion to her feet and calves. Three simple devices solved the problem, and all were easy to fit into her dressing routines. Check out the AT devices we found helpful, and then feel free to recommend them to those you know who could benefit from them.
Long-handled shoe horn, easy-pull sock aid, and a long-handled lotion applicator.