How to Choose the Right Low-Cost Assistive Technology for Your Home

With so many types of low-cost Assistive Technology (AT) available, it can be tricky to figure out which ones would be best for your home. AT is really important because it helps people with disabilities do everyday tasks more easily. It gives you the tools you need to be more independent and safe at home. But how do you choose the right ones for you?

Whether you’re handling everyday tasks or trying to make your home easier to live in, this blog will help you find the right AT. We want to make sure you feel supported and confident in your choices.

Understanding Low-Cost Assistive Technology:

When looking at AT, it’s important to know what falls under low-cost AT according to the NDIS. Low-cost AT includes items under $1,500 that help you with your daily activities. These are easy to use and don’t need big changes to your home or expert help to set up. Examples are things that make everyday tasks safer and easier, like tools to help you grab things from high places or mats that prevent slipping.

To qualify for funding, low-cost AT must meet the reasonable and necessary criteria. This means that the AT you are claiming must:

• Be directly related to your disability.
• Not include day-to-day general expenses that are not related to your disability support needs.
• Represent value for money.
• Be effective and beneficial, having regard to current good practice.
• Take into account what is reasonable to expect families, carers, informal networks, and the community to provide.

Whether it’s something to help you move around your home more easily, tools that help with cooking and eating, or devices that make it safer to bathe and dress, low-cost AT aims to provide practical solutions that improve your daily life. Remember, the right assistive technology should meet your specific needs and help make your day-to-day activities smoother and more accessible.

Assessment of Needs

Before picking any AT, it’s important to think about what you need help with. Everyone’s daily challenges are different, so finding the right AT starts with understanding these challenges clearly.

First, think about what goals you have for using AT. Your goals should match up with your NDIS plan, which means the technology you choose should help you achieve these goals. For example, if your goal is to cook meals by yourself, an AT like an easy-grip utensil set might be just what you need.

It’s also a great idea to work with professionals who know a lot about AT. Occupational therapists or other experts can help you figure out exactly what tools will make things easier for you. They look at your daily activities, what you struggle with, and suggest tools that can help. These experts know all about how different ATs work and can make sure the tools fit into your home and life perfectly.

Considerations for Choosing Assistive Technology:

Choosing the right AT for your home is about more than just finding tools that make things easier. It’s also important that these tools fit well with your home and daily routines. Here are some things to keep in mind when picking AT for your home:

Functionality and Ease of Use: The best AT does exactly what you need without being too complicated. For example, if it’s hard for you to bend down, a reaching tool should be long enough to pick things up without causing you to strain. It should also be light and easy to use.

Compatibility with Your Home Environment: Make sure the AT fits well in your home. For example, if you need grab rails in the bathroom, they should be strong but also fit well in the space. If your bathroom is small, look for smaller designs that don’t take up too much room.

Match with Daily Routines: The AT should fit smoothly into your daily life. If you enjoy cooking but find it tough to use regular kitchen tools, look for ergonomic tools with handles that are easy to hold. These should be tools you can use every day by yourself.

When picking AT, always think about how it will work in your home and with your plan goals. The aim is to help you be more independent while making sure the technology works well in your living space. By thinking about these things carefully, you can choose AT that meets your needs.

Exploring Options:

When you start looking for low-cost AT to use at home, you’ll find lots of different options! Here’s a quick look at some common types of low-cost AT you might consider for your home:

• Grab Rails: You can install these in the bathroom or next to the toilet to help you stay balanced and safe from falls. They can be placed wherever you need extra support.
• Non-Slip Mats: These mats are great for bathrooms or kitchens. They keep you from slipping on wet floors and make these areas safer.
• Reachers or Grabbing Tools: These have a long handle with a grabbing part at the end. They let you pick up things that are too high, too low, or too far away without bending or stretching.
• Door Knob Extenders or Lever Handles: If turning a regular door knob is hard, these can make doors easier to open. You can fit them over existing knobs or install lever handles instead.
• Jar Openers and Kitchen Tools with Easy-Grip Handles: These kitchen tools are made to be easy to hold and use. They help you open jars and use other kitchen tools without needing a lot of hand strength.
• Large Button Remotes: These remotes have bigger buttons that are easier to see and press. They make controlling TVs and other devices simpler.
• Voice-Activated Assistants: Devices like smart speakers respond to your voice commands. You can ask them to do things like make phone calls, set reminders, or turn on the lights, which is really helpful if it’s tough to move around or handle small gadgets.

When looking for the right AT, think about the tasks you struggle with and see if there’s a tool that could help. This way, you can make sure you get the most benefit from the AT you choose. To explore Chooze’s full catalogue of AT for the home and garden visit https://choozeshop.com/home-and-garden.

Making the Right Choice:

Choosing the right low-cost AT for your home also means comparing different options to find the best fit for your needs. Here’s how to make sure you’re picking the right tools.

Start by listing what you need the AT to do for you. Then, look at a few different products to see which ones best meet those needs. For example, if you need a grab rail for the bathroom, check if the rail is easy to grip and if it fits where you plan to install it. Make sure each product you consider can do what you need it to do.

On the Chooze shop website, you can use the compare feature to look at similar products from the same or different sellers online. This tool helps you see the differences and work out what’s best for you. It generates a table helping you break down the products into risk level, risk description, seller name and NDIS Support Item Reference Number.

By looking closely at different features, you can make smart choices that ensure you pick AT that not only meets your needs now but will also be helpful for you in the future.

Conclusion

Are you ready to explore some low-cost assistive technology for your home life? Visit our Chooze catalogue for home living products here to explore a wide range of options.

At Chooze, we want to make sure you feel confident and knowledgeable about the assistive technology that’s out there. If you ever need more help or have questions about different products, we’re here to assist. You can always ask for more information or talk to a professional who knows about your specific needs.