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FRONTLINE and ProPublica investigate assisted living in America. A disturbing look at assisted living in America.

From tongue-activated adaptive switches and powered wheelchairs to big button telephones and door knob extenders, products and devices for assistive living for the elderly help maintain independence while making daily activities less difficult. Assistive Devices and Products As our bodies age many people find that everyday tasks and activities become difficult and sometimes even impossible.

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NAHB: Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist Houses for Living. Homes for Life. American's are getting older - 88 million people will be over 60 within the next 15 years according to AARP, which also reports that 83% of middle-aged Americans wish to live in their homes indefinitely rather than an assisted living facility.

Updated August 20, 2014 15:22:57 Sean Fitzgerald worked hard to rebuild his life after breaking his neck in a mountain bike accident 14 years ago. For five hours after the crash, before medical help arrived, his then-partner and a passing stranger kept him alive with their breath.

If you skim through the article, please pay special attention to the last paragraph. I loved how Mr. Fitzgerald stated that being able to work and do something meaningful was important to his psyche. Assistive devices are what allowed him to continue to be productive after becoming physically disabled. As we have been taught, having something meaningful to do is key to having a positive outcome regardless of the level of disability.

This article in the Washington Post about these two older women ask about their secret to living to 102 -- and their answer is work. These women have always stayed active and busy and found much purpose in their lives. Seems like future occupational therapy assistant students could learn a lesson from these two.

This article is useful because it points out that contact plans are not just beneficial for safety! Virtual technology can be incorporated and effectively decrease loneliness, promote self- efficacy, and assist families in connecting no matter how close or far away they may live from their loved one.

As we age, our needs and interests evolve and change, so our choices of housing should be wide ranging, as should be the spectrum of activities and services. Most older adults wish to remain in their homes and communities as they age.

I chose this article because when I was at Keystone, an adult day program in Oak Ridge, I saw the benefit of this program in allowing seniors with physical and cognitive deficits to remain at home, or in assisted living, for longer periods of time. I liked this article's emphasis on integration of many programs to age in place successfully.

This webpage offers information as to the benefits of aging in place. I didn't realize how cost effective it is to age in place rather than going to an assisted living or nursing home. Not only the accessibility of the home but also the technology that would need to be learned for the homeowner to receive the care and emergency help when needed.

I like this website because they post the latest news about the drugs that could treat some form of cancer. All information about cancer (types, treatment, prevention). From this website I found out that every 3th person in United States gets cancer. Also we can read how to live with cancer (coping skills, advice, medical research and information about palliative care). There are also recommendations on how an occupational therapist may help with assistive devices or adapted techniques to help you perform these activities easier. I thought this website was really educational and helpful.