After a brain injury (BI),
the survivor's life is impacted by changes in abilities possibly
affecting physical, sensory, auditory and/or cognitive areas. Persons
with brain injuries benefit from assistive technology including adaptations
and compensatory strategies.
Assistive technologies for
memory are often low-tech solutions. This makes it easier for the
individual to learn, retain and integrate back into daily living.
A planner is one option where the person would have a schedule, to
do list, and important contacts all in one location. The user simply
writes down the information into a planner without any technology
being incorporated. It still is considered an assistive technology
solution. For more advanced solutions, a PDA has been proven beneficial
for some individuals with BI. An electronic organizer is a midrange
memory aid between the planner and a PDA. It is less expensive and
straightforward in operation.
Digital recorders take auditory
notes when writing is problematic. A digital model is easier to operate
and to organize than a tape model. A digital recorder allows for
a multitude of recordings to be placed in different locations. This
allows the user to play back the recording directly rather than listening
through the entire tape. Folders can be created for different types
of information making organization easy.
Reminders may be needed for
scheduled activities throughout the day. Solutions include a watch
with alarm capability, a text messaging alarm system, the invisible
clock to assist in maintaining attention by beeping on a programmed
time period, Microsoft Outlook, written task lists, medication dispensing
units, the sequencer with voice output, communication devices, Time
Pad, and cheat sheets.
Aphasia is the inability to
adequately understand spoken language or verbally communicate. The
frustration level may increase for the aphasiac individual trying
to hold a discussion with another. Assistive technology assists in
improving capabilities through a picture book, electronic augmentative
and alternative communication device with voice output, an alphabet
board, digitized pictures, and/or gestures. A strategy is to ask
only yes and no questions during a conversation.
A cerebral vascular accident
(CVA or stroke) leaves many hemiplegic meaning one side of the body
is paralyzed. Several vendors such as dynamic-living.com or maxiaids.com
sell one-handed devices. There are products for the kitchen, living
room, personal hygiene, dressing, work, computers and outdoors. Dressing
hooks are a wire loop used to pull a button through a hole or grab
stockings to pull them up. One-handed knives fit into a slot so the
unaffected hand is able have leverage in slicing food. A bar on one
side of the chair operates modified wheelchairs. There are countless
other possible one-handed options.
There are many more
options that can assist the individual with BI to create a better
quality of life. Spending time researching these options is the
key that opens the door to all the possibilities available.
