Assistive Devices Info-Sheet for Seniors

Table of Contents

• What Are Assistive Devices?
• Why Use Them?
• Where Do I Start?
• Do I Need a Prescription?
• Where Can I Find Assistive Devices?
• Who Pays?
• Provincial and Territorial Contact Information

There's a solution to most problems. If you find that you experience discomfort or fear doing activities you once loved, or if you've started to avoid certain situations, it's possible that an assistive device can help you overcome your difficulties.

This fact sheet provides information on assistive devices, their use and where you can obtain them. Canadians of all ages and situations have improved their quality of life, thanks to assistive tools that respond to their particular needs. Why wouldn't you?

What Are Assistive Devices?

Assistive devices ease the strains of daily activities at home, at work or at play. They include medical equipment, mobility aids, information technologies, practical daily aids and gadgets to suit all tastes and needs.

The table below entitled At your service! lists certain devices that can considerably improve your quality of life. Find out how they can help you and don't hesitate to use them!

At Your Service!

Bathing
Grab bars, hand-held shower head, bath seat with arm rails, non-slip floor mat.

Dressing
Long-handled shoehorn, Velcro fastenings, sock pullers, rubber gloves (for gripping tight-fitting stockings).

Preparing food
Easy-to-grip utensils, side-opening oven door, heightadjustable cupboards and counters, automatic-stop kettle, pouring aid.

Eating
Easy-to-grip utensils, specially designed dishes.

Moving/physical activities
Cane, walker, wheelchair, slip-resistant flooring.

Using the telephone
Loud-ringing phone, flashing light ring indicator, large numbers and buttons, automatic dialing.

Doing the laundry
Main-floor laundry room, easy-access equipment, automatic-stop iron.

Enjoying hobbies
Playing card holder, long-handled gardening tools, television remote control with large buttons and a captioning button.

Entering the home
Loud doorbell or flashing light signal.

Securing your home
Automatic light device, personal or home alarm system, cell phone, thermostat control.

Why Use Them?

With age, loss of vision, hearing, bone density (osteoporosis) and balance can present serious health risks. Poor hearing, for example, is a condition that affects more than half of the people over 65 years of age and can put you at risk of misunderstanding crucial instructions, of falling as a result of loss of balance, of being deprived of phone calls or social meetings and of not hearing vehicles on the roadway-all of which can compromise your physical and mental health.

Don't let your disability or sensory loss infringe on your lifestyle, especially when tools and devices exist to help you overcome these obstacles.

Whether you need a cane or a hearing aid, a wheeled garbage bin or an intercom system, a magnifying glass or a pill organizer-make sure you get them and use them! Improved health and quality of life are within your grasp.

Where Do I Start?

Start by consulting your physician or health centre if you think you need the aid of an assistive device. You can also obtain valuable information in catalogues and seniors' magazines.

Do I Need a Prescription?

Certain devices, such as eyeglasses and hearing aids obviously require an expert's assessment, but many assistive devices for the enhancement of daily life are easily obtainable in general and specialty stores. For other, more expensive assistive devices like a wheelchair, it's advisable to go to a professional, especially if you think you may qualify for a complete or partial reimbursement from a funding or insurance agency. Any form of reimbursement generally requires that you undergo an assessment and obtain a prescription for the more expensive assistive devices.

Where Can I Find Assistive Devices?

Eyeglasses and hearing aids are available through specialists (see the yellow pages for a list of specialists under Opticians and Hearing Aids). Your doctor could probably provide you with a list of specialists.

Devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, bath seats and grab bars are all available from stores that sell Medical Equipment and Supplies or Wheelchairs (see the yellow pages under these headings for a list of stores). Before buying one, consider consulting a specialist such as an occupational therapist (a cane, for example, needs to be of proper weight, length and handle for you). Also consider borrowing or renting the device to find out whether it serves your needs, especially if you're choosing between more than one device, like whether to invest in a wheelchair or a walker. Specialty computer stores carry items like screen-reading software that include screen-enlargement features for individuals with reduced vision. Voice recognition systems and modified keyboards and mice are also available for people with mobility and dexterity limitations.

Qualified pharmacy personnel are usually quite happy to provide information on a variety of other available products: magnifying glasses, bath seats, joint support bandages, pill organizers, canes, etc.

Hardware stores offer many "universal design" kitchen utensils, as well as other items for home use, such as easy to move wheeled garbage bins or intercom systems that allow you to communicate with someone at your door without having to rush to answer it.

Get help finding what you need. Don't hesitate to ask friends (or anyone!) where they got their automatic card shuffler, playing card holder, or any other useful gadgets or aids that could improve your daily life in any way.

Who Pays?

Some provinces and territories have programs to help seniors or people with disabilities purchase the assistive devices they need at affordable prices or can even help with obtaining a bank loan.

Certain community and non-profit organizations such as the Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions Club or the Royal Canadian Legion may offer advice or assistance for procuring assistive devices. Friends and family may also be willing to contribute, if they can, to the cost of your assistive devices or in helping you find the devices or fill out the necessary forms.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) offers a wide variety of programs and services to veterans and other eligible clients. The health care program, Aids for Daily Living, assists clients with the purchase of assistive devices such as prosthetic and orthotic devices, walkers, canes, wheelchairs, etc. To learn more about the programs, services and funding offered by VAC, contact your regional office (see the blue pages of your telephone directory under Government of Canada). If you have access to the Internet, you can visit the Veterans Affairs Canada (External link) website.

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Provincial and Territorial Contact Information

Alberta
Alberta Health and Wellness: toll-free in Alberta: dial 310-0000, then 780-427-7164
Aids to Daily Living: toll-free in Alberta: dial 310-0000, then 780-427-0731

British Columbia
Ministry of Health Services, Health Information Line: 1-800-465-4911 (toll-free) 250-952-1742
Ministry of Human Resources, Enhanced Medical Coverage Health Benefits Branch:
1-888-221-7711 (toll-free)
Disability Benefits: 1-800-337-3531 (toll-free)

Manitoba
Manitoba Health Office: 1-866-626-4862 (toll-free)
TDD/TTY: 204-945-4796
Home Care Equipment Program: 204-945-3744

New Brunswick
Department of Family and Community Services:
506-453-2001

Newfoundland and Labrador
Health and Community Services:
1-888-709-2929 (toll-free) 709-729-4984
TDD/TTY: 1-888-709-3555 (toll-free)

Northwest Territories
Department of Health and Social Services, Health Benefits Programs:
1-800-661-0830 (toll-free) 867-777-7400

Nova Scotia
Department of Health:
1-800-387-6665 (toll-free) 902-424-5818;
TDD/TTY: 1-800-670-8888 (toll-free)

Nunavut
Department of Health and Social Services: 867-975-6000

Ontario
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Infoline:1-800-268-1154 (toll-free)
416-314-5518; TDD/TYY: 1-800-387-5559 (toll-free)
Assistive Devices & Home Oxygen Program:1-800-268-6021 (toll-free) 416-327-8804
TDD/TTY: 1-800-387-5559 (toll-free) 416-327-4282

Prince Edward Island
Department of Social Services: 902-368-6520
Seniors Infoline: 1-866-594-3777 (toll-free)

Quebec
Ministry of Health and Social Services:1-800-707-3380 (toll-free)
Health Insurance Plan:1-800-561-9749 (toll-free)
Québec: 418-646-4636, Montréal: 514-864-3411
Handicapped Services: 1-800-567-1465 (toll-free) 819-475-8585
TDD/TTY: 1-800-567-1477 (toll-free)

Saskatchewan
Health Registration Branch: 1-800-567-1477 (toll-free) 306-787-3475
Aids to Independent Living Program: 306-787-7121

Yukon
Department of Health and Social Services:1-800-661-0408 (toll-free) 867-667-5209
Pharmacare and Extended Health Care Benefits Program: 867-667-5403

© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada (Rev. 2007)