OT ADL Adaptations - UPPER EXTREMITY - 8 Dressing - Button Hook Use a button hook with enlarged handle to: Loop buttons and pull through button holes to fasten. Hold buttons in place while unfastening. UPPER EXTREMITY - 9 : Dressing - Pants Belt loops on pants allow for hooking with thumbs or dressing devices. Can sew twill loops inside waist of skirts, slacks, underwear. Page 1 of 10
OT ADL Adaptations - UPPER EXTREMITY - 10 : Dressing - Tie / Suspenders Substitute suspenders for belt and use clip-on tie. UPPER EXTREMITY - 11 : Dressing - Zipper Use metal ring or nylon thread loop to insert thumb for pulling zipper. Sew twill tape at hem for easier grasp. Page 2 of 10
OT ADL Adaptations - UPPER EXTREMITY - 12 : Feeding (Universal Cuff) Insert utensil in pocket of cuff. Use bowl or plate with lip for easier scooping, or may use plate guard. Place non-skid mat under dishware. UPPER EXTREMITY - 13 Grooming - Handle Enlargers Economical and easy to make from washcloth: Fold in thirds. Roll up. Attach with rubber bands around comb, toothbrush. Page 3 of 10
OT ADL Adaptations - UPPER EXTREMITY - 14 : Grooming - Toenails Use scissors or clippers designed for toenails. Soak feet or take bath first to soften. Keep nails cut straight across to prevent ingrown nails. UPPER EXTREMITY - 15 : Wringing Towel Avoid wringing towels by twisting. Loop towel around sink faucet as if braiding and pull gently, or let drip dry. Page 4 of 10
OT ADL Adaptations - UPPER EXTREMITY - 16 Bathing - Washing / Drying Wrap thin washcloth around rubber spatula to insert between toes. UPPER EXTREMITY - 17 Food Preparation - Pots on Stove Place a trivet in center of electric stove top. Slide pot over with both hands when food must be taken off heat. Use insulated mitts as needed. Page 5 of 10
OT ADL Adaptations - UPPER EXTREMITY - 18 Food Preparation - Kitchen Utensils Select kitchen utensils with large handles. Relax hands frequently or alternate gripping tasks with tasks that do not require prolonged gripping. UPPER EXTREMITY - 19 Food Preparation - Pots / Dishware Use lightweight aluminum pots and plastic dishes whenever possible. Ladle food out before tipping or lifting to scoop last remains. Page 6 of 10
OT ADL Adaptations - UPPER EXTREMITY - 20 : Refrigerator Doors Place loops on door handles. May lean arms against hips and use trunk movement to assist. UPPER EXTREMITY - 21 : Faucets Use heel of hand to operate long-handled faucets. Use both hands if able. Page 7 of 10
OT ADL Adaptations - UPPER EXTREMITY - 22 Light Switches Easy touch switches are recommended. Some decorator switchplates provide builtin leverage. Sensor switches are also available. UPPER EXTREMITY - 23 : Key Holder Grasp holder in palm to insert key and turn forearm to lock or unlock. Page 8 of 10
OT ADL Adaptations - UPPER EXTREMITY - 24 : Cutting With Scissors To decrease strain on thumb joints, use scissors that have self-opening spring action and cushioned handles. Can also consider electric scissors. UPPER EXTREMITY - 25 : Turning Pages (Universal Cuff) Insert pencil into universal cuff with eraser end out. Apply downward pressure to turn page. Page 9 of 10
OT ADL Adaptations - UPPER EXTREMITY - 26 : Scrubbing Avoid use of sponges that require pressure at fingertips. Hold brush with handle as shown and use arm movements to scrub. Page 10 of 10
CHART COPY OT ADL Adaptations - UPPER EXTREMITY - 8 Dressing - Button Hook UPPER EXTREMITY - 9 : Dressing - Pants UPPER EXTREMITY - 10 : Dressing - Tie / Suspenders Use a button hook with enlarged handle to: Loop buttons and pull through button holes to fasten. Hold buttons in place while unfastening. Belt loops on pants allow for hooking with thumbs or dressing devices. Can sew twill loops inside waist of skirts, slacks, underwear. Substitute suspenders for belt and use clip-on tie. UPPER EXTREMITY - 11 : Dressing - Zipper UPPER EXTREMITY - 12 : Feeding (Universal Cuff) UPPER EXTREMITY - 13 Grooming - Handle Enlargers Insert utensil in pocket of cuff. Use bowl or plate with lip for easier scooping, or may use plate guard. Economical and easy to make from washcloth: Fold in thirds. Roll up. Use metal ring or nylon thread loop to insert thumb for pulling zipper. Sew twill tape at hem for easier grasp. Place non-skid mat under dishware. Attach with rubber bands around comb, toothbrush. UPPER EXTREMITY - 14 : Grooming - Toenails UPPER EXTREMITY - 15 : Wringing Towel UPPER EXTREMITY - 16 Bathing - Washing / Drying Use scissors or clippers designed for toenails. Soak feet or take bath first to soften. Wrap thin washcloth around rubber spatula to insert between toes. Keep nails cut straight across to prevent ingrown nails. Avoid wringing towels by twisting. Loop towel around sink faucet as if braiding and pull gently, or let drip dry. UPPER EXTREMITY - 17 Food Preparation - Pots on Stove UPPER EXTREMITY - 18 Food Preparation - Kitchen Utensils UPPER EXTREMITY - 19 Food Preparation - Pots / Dishware Place a trivet in center of electric stove top. Use lightweight aluminum pots and plastic dishes whenever possible. Slide pot over with both hands when food must be taken off heat. Use insulated mitts as needed. Select kitchen utensils with large handles. Relax hands frequently or alternate gripping tasks with tasks that do not require prolonged gripping. Ladle food out before tipping or lifting to scoop last remains. Page 1 of 2
CHART COPY OT ADL Adaptations - UPPER EXTREMITY - 20 : Refrigerator Doors UPPER EXTREMITY - 21 : Faucets UPPER EXTREMITY - 22 Light Switches Easy touch switches are recommended. Place loops on door handles. May lean arms against hips and use trunk movement to assist. Use heel of hand to operate long-handled faucets. Use both hands if able. Some decorator switchplates provide builtin leverage. Sensor switches are also available. UPPER EXTREMITY - 23 : Key Holder UPPER EXTREMITY - 24 : Cutting With Scissors UPPER EXTREMITY - 25 : Turning Pages (Universal Cuff) Grasp holder in palm to insert key and turn forearm to lock or unlock. To decrease strain on thumb joints, use scissors that have self-opening spring action and cushioned handles. Can also consider electric scissors. Insert pencil into universal cuff with eraser end out. Apply downward pressure to turn page. UPPER EXTREMITY - 26 : Scrubbing Avoid use of sponges that require pressure at fingertips. Hold brush with handle as shown and use arm movements to scrub. COMMENTS: Patient Name/Number: Clinician Name/Signature: Date: Page 2 of 2