If you are wearing glasses to read this, you are using an assistive device.

Sixty-one million adults in the United States live with a disability. This makes it difficult to manage every day activities. Two in five adults age 65 years and older have a disability. The disabilities fall into four major categories: cognitive problems, hearing difficulty, physical limitations, and visual impairments.

For nearly every disability and nearly every challenge around the home, there is an assistive device that can help.

Cognitive: There are many simple solutions to help persons with thinking, orientation or memory problems. It all depends on the level of functioning. High level functioning persons might benefit from: a calendar with large print for daily routines, a check list taped to the cabinet door, or a digital clock in place of a clock with hands.

A voice recorder can give reminders about appointments, telephone numbers, and prescription refills. Medication alerts are available in pocket size devices or on a wrist watch. The alarm rings to tell you when the pills should be taken.

Hearing: People with hearing loss may be the last to fully realize what they are missing. People with hearing loss tend to feel isolated. It’s hard to join in conversations or be social with others when you can’t hear.

Research has shown a link between feeling lonely or isolated and dementia. Hearing loss may make mental decline happen faster than it would otherwise. The reason for the link between hearing loss, cognitive decline and dementia is still unclear. The scientists have not found out why untreated hearing loss increases the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Some researchers suggest that the reduced audiological input to the brain may contribute to cognitive decline and dementia.

With or without a hearing aid, most individuals with a hearing loss, will benefit from other assistive devices. Most TV sets and shows provide a closed captioning option. Simply go to the menu and make your choice. Captioned telephones provide written text in a built-in display screen.

Vision: Low vision is a serious disability that affects about one in five Americans age 65 and over. Macular degeneration affects the lightsensitive cells in the center of the retina, the part used for reading, writing and other tasks requiring sharp, fine detail vision.

Technology has provided new solutions such as video magnification. Put the object you want to see in front of a desk top video camera, and a large image will be projected onto a video monitor.

There are portable video magnifies that can be carried in your pocket or purse. A push of the button can allow you to increase magnification, enhance the contrast or freeze the image.

Virtual assistants, sometimes referred to as voice assistants, perform tasks or services for users based on spoken commands or questions. Virtual assistants can read information out loud or perform tasks without requiring the user to look at a screen. For less severe impairment, a tablet, smart phone or e-reader has built-in features to create the right level of magnification, definition and contrast.

Original Medicare Part B covers the health of the eye, but Original Medicare Part B does not cover the vision test nor does it cover eyeglasses and lens. Some of the Medicare Advantage Programs, and grant programs cover vision testing, eyeglass frames and lens. There may be grants available for refraction and eyeglasses.

Mobility: More than six million older Americans use mobility devices such as: wheelchair, cane, walker or crutches. Some use manual or power wheelchairs or electric scooters. Advances in technology have given rise to new devices, even people whose legs are paralyzed can ride a bike.

A standard walker (with four Legs, no wheels) offers the most stability but must be picked up with every step and alters the gait of the user. It can also be challenging for a senior with weakening upper body strength. Front-wheeled and four-wheeled walkers allow a quicker, more normal gait but could be risky for persons with significant balance or dementia.

Physical: For those who have difficulty turning door knobs, pulling on their socks or trimming toe nails, there are devices. Door knobs can be replaced by levers; or you can buy an adapter that fits over the knob. For turning keys, a plastic handle that fits over the key, can give extra leverage. And there are toenail clippers with large, angle blades and easy-grip handles.

Other aids include long, flexible shoehorns, loop handles to pull up socks and zipper and button pullers. they meet the definition of durable medical equipment.

It’s important to have professional help in selecting the right device for your needs.

Who Pays for Assistive Devices? Medicare, Medicaid, private health or disability insurance, and workers compensation may pay for some assistive technology. Medicare Part B will pay for 80 percent of assistive devises if they meet the definition of durable medical equipment.

Loan Closets and Rental Programs

Some communities have loan closets for commonly used medical equipment. Hospice of North Central Oklahoma is a Loan Closet. This is practically beneficial when you need a piece of equipment for a short time.

There are several pharmacies in Kay County that offer rental programs for medical equipment. Check with your local pharmacy before you buy. National and Local Associations Related to Your Diagnosis

If you or a loved one has a particular diagnosis, there may be assistance through related organizations, either local or national. Veterans should contact Patrick Clark, Kay County Veteran Representative at 918-397-2561; or call Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center, Customer Service Support, (303) 273-6200, DALCCSS@ va.gov; Acquisition Support, (303) 273-6205 DALCAcquistion@ va.gov

Oklahoma Able Tech, at 1514 West Hall of Fame, Stillwater, OK, 405-744-9748 has a free, short-term “try before you buy” program to help determine if the device will meet that person’s need. ABLE Tech’s assistive device inventory offers over 3,000 devices and equipment. Able Tech also partners with Banc First to provide a low interest loan program for individuals with disabilities to purchase expensive assistive technology.

If you have questions, Judy Rupp, Senior Resource Specialist for Kay County, can link you to services that are available and assist you in locating and accessing services. Our goal is help adults remain safe, healthy and independent in their home and community for as long as possible.

The office is located at 445 Fairview, Suite 102, Ponca City. The program is supported by the Clark Gerontology Fund, RSVP of Kay County, United Way of Ponca City, and Community Health Foundation of Ponca City. I am available to share information to any size group. There is no charge to learn more about senior resources.