Assistive Technology for Daily Living

Your Life, Your Independence, Your Community

Our dedicated team at the Michigan Assistive Technology Program believes that the tools and devices you use every day should enhance your independence, honor your choices, and support your participation in community life. AT for daily living helps bridge the gap between barriers and possibilities, opening doors to greater autonomy in all aspects of your daily routines.

"Access to tools and devices for living in the community of your choosing is fundamental. It's the basis of all we do. Our day to day lives in our community are what make us who we are. I love helping people think about what is important to them, the barriers, and options to meet their needs." - Aimee, MATP Director 

What is AT for Daily Living?

Assistive technology for daily living encompasses the devices and tools that help you do what you want to do every day. From smart ovens and can/jar openers for cooking to shower chairs and handheld shower heads for grooming to medication minders, toilet and tub bars, walkers, dressing aides, reachers, and reminder devices. We help people look at their day and home and make it easier to get around, eat, cook, dress, move, and connect with friends.

How We Fill the Gap

MATP’s work in AT for daily living fills a huge gap of access in our state. MATP provides a single place to go for information on devices to help people with disabilities of all ages, including older adults, live in the community of their choosing.

 

There are multiple funding sources to pay for AT for daily living, but those funding sources don't cover everyone or everything. MATP can help you navigate multiple systems and also provide gap coverage of information and access to assistive technology for daily tasks including:

  • Cooking and eating
  • Bathing and dressing
  • Connecting with others
  • Medication management
  • Reading and organizing
  • Managing finances
  • Safety in the home and community
  • Mobility
  • Mental health
  • All other aspects of daily living

Why AT for Daily Living Matters

Assistive technology is the most effective strategy for helping us do what we want to do. The impact of these tools reaches far beyond convenience:

  • People who access AT for daily living have greater functional independence
  • Decline in physical and cognitive abilities is slowed
  • Fewer nursing home and hospital stays are needed
  • Falls are reduced significantly
  • People gain the support to do what they want, when they want, where they want

Examples of Daily Living AT

Our inventory includes a wide range of solutions to support independence in everyday activities:

black and orange reacher grabber with magnet holding keys and folding mechanism

Reacher Grabber

The reacher grabber is an essential tool designed to make everyday tasks easier and safer. Whether you're recovering from surgery, living with limited mobility, or just need a helping hand, this lightweight device helps you grab items from high shelves, pick up objects from the floor, or retrieve hard-to-reach items without bending, straining, or stretching. Perfect for reducing the risk of falls, supporting independence, and making daily living more accessible.

image of individual using sock aid to put on a black sock with image of the sock aid by its self

Sock Aids

The sock aid is a simple yet empowering tool that makes putting on socks easier for people with limited mobility, flexibility, or strength. Ideal for individuals recovering from surgery, living with arthritis, or who have difficulty bending at the waist or hips, the sock aid allows you to slide on socks without assistance or strain. It supports greater independence in daily dressing routines, reduces the risk of falls or injury, and helps you start your day with comfort, dignity and confidence.

image of one handed cutting board with a varitiy of ways to hold items to make it easier to cut with one hand

One-Handed Cutting Board

One-handed cutting boards are thoughtfully designed to support safe and efficient food prep for individuals with the use of one hand or limited hand strength. With built-in spikes to hold food in place, raised edges, suction cups, and other ways to help stability, making slicing, spreading, and chopping easier without needing assistance. Ideal for stroke survivors, amputees, or anyone with limited dexterity, this tool restores confidence in the kitchen and helps promote independence, dignity, and the joy of preparing your own meals.

Success Stories

Stephanie's Story
Stephanie contacted the MATP because no loan closets in her area were able to loan her a walker that felt safe for her. Her current walker was starting to fall apart and she did not feel safe using it, especially outside her house. MATP provided a Nova Mighty Mac Walker for her as a loaner while waiting for funding. She sent a note to the program saying "Thank you again. Today was my first day going out. Thank you so much."

Elizabeth's Story
Elizabeth, 43, in Charlotte was referred to MATP by her home-based rehab social worker. Elizabeth has quadriplegia as a result of advancing multiple sclerosis. Elizabeth was looking for options to use her voice to control her home, call friends and family, and control her television as well as options for handsfree eating.

MATP provided demonstrations of the Amazon Firestick, Amazon smart speaker, and handsfree eating devices. Elizabeth is now able to call her daughter, caregiver and others using her voice and smartphone or the Amazon smart speaker. She can also use her voice to turn on and off her ceiling lights using smartbulbs, and uses her voice to watch programs on her television. She also uses a platform setup to eat some things on her own. Elizabeth is delighted to be able to control things herself and access friends and family and entertainment.

Invite Us To

We'd love to meet you where you are! Invite us to:

  • Your home to assess your specific needs
  • Your local senior center to share what you use and what we have to help with daily living
  • Your person-centered planning meeting to brainstorm items you need for your life
  • Your family meeting about options for community living
  • Your discharge planning meeting to make plans for a successful transition home
  • Your conference on community living, long-term care, aging, disability
  • Your assisted living, rehab center, nursing home, or independent living housing
  • Your professional conference for OTs, social workers, long-term care ombudsman, and aging and mental health professionals

Try AT for Daily Living for Free

Our FREE demonstrations and device loans allow you to explore options in your own environment before making decisions. We come to YOU anywhere in Michigan, smashing through transportation barriers to ensure you can try AT where you'll actually use it.

Your life, your choices, your technology—let's explore the possibilities together.

 

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