Tools for Living Well Toolkit - Canadian Association of Occupational ...

Chapter ONE
Introduction
Falls are a significant problem for older adults. Many factors
contribute to falls. This program aims to support independent living
and reduce the rate of fall injury by promoting the appropriate use of
selected assistive devices.
Tools for Living Well is designed to help communities:
● increase awareness of, and access to, assistive devices;
● encourage local businesses to promote assistive devices;
● educate seniors and their caregivers to make informed choices
about assistive devices and to use them correctly; and
● support a shift in social norms from assistive devices as
tools for persons with disabilities to assistive devices as
tools for independent living.
1. Why retailers?
Accessing assistive devices can be a problem. Research has
shown that seniors are discouraged from purchasing assistive
devices because they don’t know where to buy them and don’t
know how to select an appropriate device. 1 Seniors may also
decide not to use assistive devices because they believe only
frail or disabled people need them. 1 This program is designed
to promote assistive devices in mainstream stores as a way of
“normalizing” their use and increasing their availability. It also
provides information required by retailers and customers for the
proper fitting and use of devices.
a) Retailers can help by:
● making assistive devices available in local neighbourhood
stores and display them as they would appear in the home;
● ensuring that store staff have information available on the
choice, installation and proper use of the assistive devices
they sell;
● providing point of purchase information for potential
consumers.
Tools for Living Well
concentrates on canes,
hip protectors and bathtub
devices (bathtub or shower
grab bars, bathtub or shower
benches, and non-slip mats).
Tools for Living Well
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