Many older adults suffer from loss of independence due to physical changes. The lifestyle change can be dramatic, such as not being able to drive or relying on assistance for self-care activities like dressing and bathing. But changes can also be subtle, such as needing help to open medications or being forced to give up favorite leisure tasks due to physical limitations. Does it have to be this way? No! Some simple changes can be employed to ensure that independence is maintained even as physical changes take place. One very common physical change older adults experience is the onset of joint stiffness and Arthritis. This can result in loss of mobility, pain, weakness, and deformity of the joints. Arthritis that affects the hands can limit function by decreasing dexterity and fine motor skills, limiting strength and endurance, and by making tasks too painful to perform. Some changes that can be made to compensate for this include using tools with built-up or fat handles. Eating utensils, kitchen gadgets, and even gardening tools with built-up handles can all be purchased at most home and department stores. And for you golf fans, consider adapting your clubs with built-up or "Arthritic" grips. Who knows? You may even improve your golf game!
Other changes that can decrease the impact of Arthritis include using "joint protection" techniques. This means using your hands in a way that protects the smallest joints, the fingers, which usually get stuck doing most of the work. To do this, try changing your hand position so that you are using larger muscles and joints to carry the load. For instance, when you stir a large amount of food, try holding your spoon like a dagger and letting the arms do the work, place grocery bags or hand bags over your forearm instead of carrying with the fingers, and when opening jars, try using a gripper opener with the palm flat against the jar instead of twisting with the fingers. Another important tip for managing Arthritis is to pay attention to your symptoms and structure activities in respect to them. If mornings are most difficult, try saving strenuous tasks, such as bathing, for later in the day. Also, if you know that you will be spending a lot of time in the day doing one activity, try to break it up into smaller sessions throughout the day so that joints won't suffer from doing one activity repetitively for an extended period of time.
A second common problem experienced with aging is changed vision. Again, there are simple modifications that can be made to ensure that a person who experiences changes in vision can maintain their independence. Some simple changes can be made at home. Good lighting should be placed over all workspaces, especially for reading and under the counter for kitchen work; night-lights are also handy for hallways and bathrooms. Larger calculators, remote controls, clocks, and large print books should replace those that are hard to read. Think "high contrast": tape the edges of steps with a contrasting colored tape so they are easy to see, black numbers on a white background are easier to distinguish (clocks, oven controls, phone, etc.). Purchase a magnifier and be sure glasses are handy at all times. When writing, try a felt tip pen for high contrast or create a template when lined paper is hard to see.

Many other simple changes can be made to avoid the loss of independence despite changes that occur due to aging. For more information, contact Hayley Davis, occupational therapist, at Atlantic Physical Therapy