Adapting equipment and assistive technology

As people get older, they are losing some capacities to be able to do with autonomy some of the basic daily life activities such as dressing, eating, having a shower, moving at home and others more complex such as cooking, do the shopping, cleaning the house, and going out from home.

Logically, the capacities of ageing adults with intellectual disabilities are also reduced over time, even earlier and with higher intensity. In addition, it must be highlighted that some of the above mentioned activities have needed support throughout the entire person´s life.

To be able to keep the person´s autonomy as long as possible and not increasing the supports needed to do the activities of daily living (ADLs), as much basic as instrumental ones, it is important for educators to be able to identify when the change of need is produced, but as well is important to empower the person in order to let them to state their needs and realize that their needs will increase over time. This will allow educators to better adapt AAWID's environment and provide to them the daily use tools and equipment needed to keep their autonomy and quality of life.

The equipment adaptation and assistive technology are tools that can contribute to keep persons´ autonomy over time. But it should be highlighted that these adaptations are specific of each person and they will be changing over time needing ongoing adaptations.

This didactic unit contains several exercises with the objective to help AAWID to identify those needs that might come out as a result of the ageing process and the possibilities to cover these needs adapting the person´s environment. In addition, it is also aimed at helping AAWID to get familiar with the different support products and assistive technology available in the market, as well as to understand its functionality.