Gift Ideas to Help With Activities of Daily Living
Gift Guidesā¢December 11, 2023ā¢By mysistermademebuyit
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This gift guide is full of ideas for anyone in your life who may need help with activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs were something I had learned a lot about while caring for my dad. ADLs are essential and routine tasks that most healthy individuals can perform without assistance1. ADLs include:
Ambulating: The extent of an individualās ability to move from one position to another and walk independently.
Feeding: The ability of a person to feed oneself.
Dressing: The ability to select appropriate clothes and to put the clothes on.
Personal hygiene: The ability to bathe and groom oneself and maintain dental hygiene, nail, and hair care.
Continence: The ability to control bladder and bowel function
Toileting: The ability to get to and from the toilet, use it appropriately, and clean oneself.
After our mom had passed and we were the primary caregivers for our dad, we learned through trial and error about assistive devices that helped him complete his ADLs. We cannot thank all of the wonderful therapists who helped us along the way.
The products we recommend below were some that we used and some are recommended by Britt who has worked as a clinical dietitian in an acute care inpatient rehabilitation hospital for the last 11 years.
Gift Ideas to Help With Activities of Daily Living
Ambulating
Car CaneĀ ā Hook this device into the door latch and it will become a grip for getting in or out of the car. It also works as a car emergency tool because it can cut seatbelts and break windows. I have even seen people use it to step on to reach the top of their car.
Swivel SeatĀ ā This is a seat that helps get one in and out of the car.
Lift Assist āĀ We did not have this for my dad, but man I wish we did. Honestly, I wish I had this after my c-section. It is a railing that slides under the seat you are sitting in so that you have leverage when going from sitting to standing.
Built-Up Utensils – These utensils have a thicker handle and can be easily gripped by anyone with reduced hand strength. They helped our dad, who loved to eat.
Non-Slip Scooper Plate – This type of plate stays in place when eating and allows a person to easily scoop food. Great option for someone who only can use one side of their body for eating.
Universal Cuff – This is an assistive device that is attached to the utensil and then a person can slide their hand through the cuff. This will allow people who cannot grip items to eat more independently.
Spill Proof Cup – This is a must for someone who has trouble with limited dexterity more independently drink beverages without having to worry about spills.
Dressing
Visit this website to reference videos on how to use these assistive devices.
Button Hook and Zipper Pull Device -This tool allows someone with limited dexterity and wrist range of motion to button their shirts or zip up their jackets.
Sock Aide – These are helpful if you are not able to bend over or lift your feet enough to put on socks. I would have loved to have had this while pregnant and even after my C-section!
No Tie Shoe Laces ā There are a lot of no-tie shoelaces out there, but I like that these have a little slide to adjust the tightness.
Dressing Stick – Britt said that she sees this tool in most of her patient’s rooms at the hospital. This is a multi-functional dressing tool.
Personal Hygiene
Shower Chair – A shower chair is a must to help increase safety in the shower.
Tub Transfer Bench – You’ll want a tub transfer bench if you have a tub-shower combination.
Universal Cuff – These cuffs can also be used on personal hygiene items like a toothbrush or a hair brush.
Continence
Catheter Pants – These pants would be a great option for anyone who has a urine bag as they would allow for comfort and discretion when you are leaving the house.
Toileting
Toilet Aid for Wiping – This aide can provide extended reach for help with increasing independence with toileting hygiene.
Raised Toilet Seat with Padding – A raised toilet seat increases the height of a standard, household toilet and can make it easier for someone with limited mobility to sit down and stand up on their own.
Miscellaneous Items
Door Grip ā Just place over the handle of the door and it makes it easier to turn and open.
Big Grip PenĀ ā A pen for anyone with arthritis or a weak hand grip.
Key GripsĀ ā Add these to keys to make them easier to turn.
ReacherĀ ā I feel like every house should have one of these.
Playing Card HolderĀ ā One of the things that got us through my momās ICU stay was playing cards in the waiting room. It is also where we found out my dad was good at Euchre. After my mom passed, we held game nights with him and his siblings every few months. One of my favorite memories was when my dad pouted because he had to be my Euchre partner; FYI I am TERRIBLE at Euchre.
Dycem – Britt said she sees this used all the time in the hospital. It is a non-slip material that you can attach to anything you want to stay in place. She recently saw it being used on a large cup for a patient with a cervical spinal cord injury allowing him to more easily hold his cup.
