27 October 2021

The sun is out and our long, wet winter is over! The spring season can create a sudden need to ‘spring clean’, our homes, bodies, minds, pets, and leisure pursuits.
While it’s great to dust off the cobwebs and clear out the clutter, sometimes we need a little extra assistance to get all the ‘to-do’ list jobs done.
Here are our Occupational Therapists’ top ten simple AT (Assistive Technology) devices and equipment to help you this spring:

1. Long Handle Sponge: This simple device allows for safer bathing, reaching those places that reduced mobility may make difficult. Keeping your skin dewy fresh now we can ditch the jumpers and scarves. 
2. 2WP BroomaRake: The rake shaped bristles, which mold to the surface being swept, gives this nifty broom the ability to collect everything in its path and reach those tricky nooks and crannies. Get a great result in less time, and less strain with its ergonomic design.
3. Active Hands Gripping Aids: This aid goes on your hand to assist with gripping objects. With two models and a range of sizes available, doing a few chest presses (in readiness for summer) or cutting the brie on the evening cheeseboard will be a breeze.
4. Easi-grip Chiropodist Scissors: With a long-looped handle that allows for the whole hand to be used for more control, your toes will be sandal ready in no time.
5.Freedom Range of Tricycles: This trike is available in three sizes for children of three years to a small adult. Featuring a directly driven rear wheel chain, swept back handlebar, front handbrake and padded seat, your little ones will enjoy taking an evening cruise around the neighbourhood.
6. Roymac Chunky Paint Brushes: With a short, bulbous built-up handle, for easier grip, and a range of brush tips available, these brushes are great for oils or water colours; there’ll be nothing to stop you from getting outdoors and capturing all the spring bulbs on canvas.
7. Bed Comforter: Filled with hollow core silicone fibre, the bed comforter is designed so it can rest between your legs, or as a whole-body pillow. It comes in adult, teen, and child sizing. Change of weather can bring restless nights, and a bed comforter may be just the thing to ease a restless sleeper.
8. Anti-Spill Mug:  Durable, with two lids (for anti-spill and with drinking spout), the mug is dishwasher and microwave safe (not the lids); and perfect for a cold beverage in the garden on a spring day.
9. AquaSense Bathmat:  A contoured and textured slip resistant mat, made of antimicrobial rubber (to prevent mildew and bacteria forming on the surface), because spring can mean more physical movement, which can mean more getting in and out of the shower.
10. Footrests:  For the home office or the study desk, there are a range of fixed and adjustable footrests with ergonomic design available to meet everyone’s needs. Now you can type up your spring ‘To-Do’ lists or study with greater support.

Ask NED
Indigo’s National Equipment Database (askned.com.au), is Australia’s most comprehensive database for all types of different equipment. NED is the place to go to find all the above devices, and with thousands of assistive technology items and suppliers, NED can help you to make informed choices about which assistive technology and equipment options are the most suitable for your individual circumstances and goals.

Indigo also has a wide range of AT (equipment and devices) available on display at our Nedlands Experience Centre to help you to maintain or improve your independence, safety and wellbeing; and our experienced allied health professionals who will work with you to select, trial and source the AT that’s right for you.

Download a copy of the Making Choices Finding Solutions booklet for more handy hints for around the home.

For more tips and tricks to make your home and hobbies safer, or to find out how to access funding, give our friendly team a call on:  08 9381 0600, visit our website www.indigosolutions.org.au or email help@indigosolutions.org.au