Our Occupational Therapists (OT) are experts in the area of home evaluations. We evaluate the needs of persons with disabilities or those with life changes due to aging. Thanks to grant funding and a contract with the Michigan Assitive Technology Program, we are able to serve people living in Ionia, Montcalm, Mecosta, Osceola as well Kent County.
In Kent County, if you are a low income senior, you may qualify for funding assistance for hearing aids with funding provided by Kent County Senior Millage. There are other devices that also assist those who are hearing impaired, this is Lester’s story, he lives in Mecosta county and was referred to us by his case manager from Area Agency on Aging. The referral was for a flashing doorbell he could see, and not rely on sound.
Lester’s family expressed concerns that he is not able to hear the doorbell when he is home alone.
Aware of Lester’s difficulty hearing, our OT team brought out a pocket talker for this evaluation to see if it would be helpful. He ended up liking and keeping the device, Lester said “I can hear so much better now”.
At a follow up home visit, a strobe doorbell was installed. One of our OT team members also noticed that Lester’s TV was at 88% volume. She told him about TV ears and he was interested. She installed those and again her was very pleased with them. Both the pocket talker and the TV ears allow you to hear better. We did a follow up email to the care manager, and gave his daughter resources for a more permanent, wired door bell. We gave them this resource.
This is just one example of the great work done daily by our therapists. Please contact Lisa at 616-949-1100 extension 255 if you or someone you know needs Assistive Devices.
