With clients with cognitive limitations, what Environmental Activities of Daily Living (or Environmental Control) Units would you suggest?
Answer
Honestly with cognitive limitations, the first thing I do is look at what do they want to be able to do. If they just want to be able to turn on the light and they can clap their hands, I am looking at The Clapper. If they want to be able to turn on multiple lights or maybe turn on the fan in their home, then I am going to look at something that is probably either portable or hardwired that only offers a few functions. For instance, a small X-10 unit, if they can use their hand. I have had clients who have been good mouth stick users and that they can hit a button with their mouth stick. If they are using a head pointer, then I will probably look at the Mini Relax and the Relax II. Those actually offer functions for TV as well as environmental control. I think with cognitive disabilities or cognitive limitations, you really need to consider giving them less choices and figure out what is the most important functions you want them to be able to do.
Kim Furphy, D.HSc., OT, ATP
Kimberly A. Furphy was granted a Doctor of Health Science Degree with concentrations in Assistive Technology and Gerontology at the University of St. Augustine for the Health Sciences, a Master of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Temple University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Virginia. She is also a certified as an Assistive Technology Practitioner by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America. Her clinical and research interests include assistive technology applications in the treatment and education of individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities as well as pedagogical innovations for professionals working in the field of assistive technology. She has worked as an Assistant/Associate Professor and is the current Program Director in the MSOT program at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey teaching courses in assessment and treatment of the adult and geriatric populations, upper extremity rehabilitation and splinting, as well as assistive technology interventions. She has numerous presentations at the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference and at the New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association’s Annual Conference on the topics of assistive technology and home modification and is a frequently invited lecturer at local schools and facilities on these topics. Dr. Furphy is also the author of the chapter on assessment tools for Activities of Daily Living in the book Occupational Therapy Assessment Tools: An Annotated Index, 3rd Edition.
Related Courses
1https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/introduction-to-driver-rehabilitation-4354Introduction to Driver RehabilitationThis course will provide an overview of driver rehabilitation as a specialty area in Occupational Therapy. The role of the generalist OT in discussing driving with their clients will also be covered.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comIntroduction to Driver RehabilitationThis course will provide an overview of driver rehabilitation as a specialty area in Occupational Therapy. The role of the generalist OT in discussing driving with their clients will also be covered.4354OnlinePT60M
'Loved this course! I am a generalist OT working with Neuro population and little experience with the process'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.1 Introductory, OT Service Delivery; CE Broker/1.0 Home Study, General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-736576; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Beginner, Rehabilitation; RESNA/0.1 Introductory
This course will provide an overview of driver rehabilitation as a specialty area in Occupational Therapy. The role of the generalist OT in discussing driving with their clients will also be covered.
2https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/addressing-executive-function-deficits-for-6028Addressing Executive Function Deficits For Return To Work Following A Brain InjuryAn overview of executive functioning deficits that persist following a brain injury, interfering with an individual’s ability to return to their prior employment, will be reviewed. The course will also provide education on client-centered executive function assessments and occupation-based interventions to assist with return to work.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comAddressing Executive Function Deficits For Return To Work Following A Brain InjuryAn overview of executive functioning deficits that persist following a brain injury, interfering with an individual’s ability to return to their prior employment, will be reviewed. The course will also provide education on client-centered executive function assessments and occupation-based interventions to assist with return to work.6028OnlinePT60M
'I really liked the review of assessments'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.1 Intermediate, OT Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge, 07269; CE Broker/1.0 General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-1091212; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Intermediate, Rehabilitation
An overview of executive functioning deficits that persist following a brain injury, interfering with an individual’s ability to return to their prior employment, will be reviewed. The course will also provide education on client-centered executive function assessments and occupation-based interventions to assist with return to work.
3https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/creating-functional-homes-for-dementia-5007Creating Functional Homes for DementiaThe home environment and the care team can greatly empower or inhibit a person’s quality of life and participation. Occupational Therapists can support clients and families within the home by creating spaces that are safe, functional, and intuitive.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comCreating Functional Homes for DementiaThe home environment and the care team can greatly empower or inhibit a person’s quality of life and participation. Occupational Therapists can support clients and families within the home by creating spaces that are safe, functional, and intuitive.5007OnlinePT60M
'This was very relevant to my personal experience with treating patients with dementia in the home environment'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.1 Introductory, OT Service Delivery, 01616; CE Broker/1.0 Home Study, General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-771717; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Beginner, Geriatrics; RESNA/0.1 Introductory
The home environment and the care team can greatly empower or inhibit a person’s quality of life and participation. Occupational Therapists can support clients and families within the home by creating spaces that are safe, functional, and intuitive.
4https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/mental-health-in-aging-individuals-6671Mental Health In Aging Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities: Insights And StrategiesMany adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) have an increased propensity to experience mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Common mental health challenges faced by this population and the complexity of IDD are discussed in this course.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comMental Health In Aging Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities: Insights And StrategiesMany adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) have an increased propensity to experience mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Common mental health challenges faced by this population and the complexity of IDD are discussed in this course.6671OnlinePT60M
Many adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) have an increased propensity to experience mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Common mental health challenges faced by this population and the complexity of IDD are discussed in this course.
5https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/strategies-for-correcting-postural-dysfunction-6426Strategies For Correcting Postural Dysfunction: Tech NeckPoor posture, such as tech neck, has reached epidemic proportions, which can result in dysfunction and injury. Healthcare professionals have a unique role in educating patients about the hazards of poor posture. This presentation will discuss the current evidence and management strategies for tech neck as it applies to healthcare professionals.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyOccupationalTherapy.comwww.occupationaltherapy.comStrategies For Correcting Postural Dysfunction: Tech NeckPoor posture, such as tech neck, has reached epidemic proportions, which can result in dysfunction and injury. Healthcare professionals have a unique role in educating patients about the hazards of poor posture. This presentation will discuss the current evidence and management strategies for tech neck as it applies to healthcare professionals.6426OnlinePT120M
'This course was excellent because it thoroughly examined common causes of neck tech, specific assessments for postural dysfunctions, analyzed current research, and applied evidenced-based management and rehabilitation practices to support daily activities'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.2 Intermediate, OT Service Delivery, 09584; CE Broker/2.0 CE Broker #20-1220738; IACET/0.2; NBCOT PDUs/2.5 Intermediate, Rehabilitation
Poor posture, such as tech neck, has reached epidemic proportions, which can result in dysfunction and injury. Healthcare professionals have a unique role in educating patients about the hazards of poor posture. This presentation will discuss the current evidence and management strategies for tech neck as it applies to healthcare professionals.
