What is an ADL and why does it matter?
What is an ADL and why does it matter?

What is an ADL?

 

In the world of therapies and caregiving, we often refer to a person’s ability to perform ADLs. This stands for Activities of Daily Living. The ability to care for oneself through bathing, dressing, eating and toileting all fall under the category of ADLs. 

 

As an Occupational Therapist, we often focus on helping someone to be as independent as possible with these skills, when the client is faced with a physical or cognitive disability.  Performing these activities is important in many ways.  It helps people to maintain strength and range of motion when they stay active.  The ability to be independent also helps with our sense of confidence and self-esteem. It is often hard as a caregiver to watch someone struggle with an ADL task, when it would be easier to swoop in and help.  But with practice, that level of independence can improve. 

 

OTs may offer alternative techniques to compensate for a lost ability, such as one-handed dressing techniques for a person with hemiplegia.  They also may offer a tool or piece of adaptive equipment to assist with independence.  An example of this could be a rocker knife to assist with cutting food. 

 

The company, Live On Goods, was started to assist with helping people to maintain an active, social lifestyle, despite disability or age related changes.  Our first product, the bonTop clothing protector is designed with this in mind.  It is stylish and functional.   The fabric is waterproof and stain resistant.  It is designed with front Velcro openings to enable the wearer to take it on and off independently.  The signature pouch is at just the right height to be discreet under the table, but serve it’s purpose in catching crumbs and spills.  For the person who needs clothing protection, it replaces the unsightly terry cloth or plastic adult  bibs that are currently on the market.

 

We are a company started by four women who feel passionately about making the bonTop a product that someone would feel happy to wear and proud to dine with friends and family. 

 

Please check out our website for more information about our product and our company.  www.liveongoods.com.  We are also on Facebook and Instagram.  We post frequently, so please follow us!  We’d love to hear from you anytime at info@liveongoods.com and  260-255-5745

 

Thank you for your interest!!

-Laura Rao,   OTR and Founding partner of Live On Goods

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Choosing a Care Facility
Choosing a Care Facility

My mother has inspired many with her considerate and wise care-giving skills. Here, she discusses choosing a care facility for a loved one. -Laura Rao, LOG partner

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