Do you remember The Jetsons? Set in 2062, you may remember The Jetsons as a futuristic show that played with ideas about the future for laughs. People lived in houses in the sky, worked a three-day workweek, and drove aerocars that looked like flying saucers. The most impressive part of the show was the incredible conveniences that left the Jetsons with plenty of leisure time.
While we may not have aerocars that fly us around, we certainly have many technologies and devices to make our lives easier like the Jetsons!
There are numerous assistive devices that address specific needs we may have, such as walkers, canes, hearing aids, and glasses. Remember, an “assistive device” includes anything designed to help in performing a specific function. There are infinite options out there – it really comes down to what you need a little help and support with.
The most common categories of devices include:
- Mobility Devices – help you move from place to place with more independence
- Examples: Rollators, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, scooters, canes, prosthetics
- Daily Living Devices – help you complete activities of daily living
- Examples: Adapted cutlery and cups, shower seats and stools, dressing sticks
- Hearing Aids – help you hear or hear more clearly
- Vision Devices – help you see more clearly
- Examples: Magnifiers, eye glasses, screen readers
Assistive technologies are different than devices and might include smart home assistants, medication reminders, and medical alert systems. These technologies can either be low-tech, such as phones with larger number buttons on them, or high-tech, like balance and fall prevention systems. In today’s world, you can even ask an AI to record your shopping list, set a reminder about taking your medication, or ask what day of the week it is.
We have technology at our fingertips – much like the Jetsons did! Imagine where we will be in 2062! What assistive devices do you use – and are they the most appropriate device(s) for you?