Tools for Adaptive Living in the Fall

Fall is upon us, meaning it is time to tuck away the swimsuits and lemonade and bring out the sweatshirts and ciders. There is no time to dwell on the fact that you only completed 7 out of your 33 “Things to Do in the Summer” list. It is time for a new list: “Things to Do in the Fall, but This Time I’m Actually Going to Do Them”.

The fall is full of great activities. Some are in the crisp fresh air that gives your nose a little chill. Others require you to snuggle up inside to get cozy. Some people prefer to go on adventures before the weather gets too cold. Many others plop themselves on the couch Saturday morning and stare, motionless at a television until the clock strikes 0:00 in the last football game on Sunday.

Not all of your favorite fall activities, however, have been created with people with disabilities in mind. But, that does not mean people with disabilities need to scratch these ideas off their lists! Here some of our favorite activities and the tools you can use for an awesome adaptive living autumn.

Apple Picking

There may not be a more classic autumn adventure than throwing on your best sweater (color ranging from yellow to brown) a nice pair of blue jeans, and some boots, to go to an orchard to pick fresh apples (and take plenty of pictures doing so).

For people with mobility concerns, reaching limitations, or gripping struggles, an afternoon picking apples can be difficult. When they see the perfect apple they may have to resort to asking their friend’s cousin, Greg, to get it for them. And Greg somehow always grabs the apple right next to that perfect piece of fruit.

This year you can avoid Greg ruining your afternoon with the assistance of a reacher. These tools help reach and grab items outside of arm’s length. Many of them are designed with an easy pull trigger that closes the claw at the end. They vary in size and some even have the ability to adjust the length in order to reach towards the very top of those apple trees.

For the aforementioned people that enjoy red zone turnovers more than apple turnovers, reachers are perfect for grabbing the remote, your drink, and your snack without getting up from your recliner.

Baking and Eating

Once you get back from the orchard, it’s time to chop up those apples, throw them in some dough, and make a pie. Or maybe you prefer pumpkin pie.

For those not into sweets, you maybe looking forward to some chili or stew.

You may not even be much of a foodie, but love the hot drinks that travel down your throat and hug your whole body from the inside: the ciders, the coco, and, of course, the pumpkin spiced lattes.

No matter what your jam is, the fall is full of toasted and tasty treats (including jam on toast, now that I think of it).

Making, baking, and intaking any of these autumn eats can be difficult for people with disabilities. However, there are all kinds of dining aids to assist in every step of the way. Prepare food with a modified cutting board or can opener, and enjoy the fruits of your labor with intuitively designed cups, plates, bowls, and utensils.

Snuggling Up with a Good Book

Chilly weather can make it hard to leave the house, which is perfect because there’s sometimes nothing better than wrapping yourself in a blanket and becoming a human burrito. You can get the fireplace started, or stream a digital fire on TV, and crack open that book you read only four pages of while at the beach (reading this book was likely number 7 on your “Things to Do in the Summer” list).

For people with trouble gripping or those with poor eyesight, there are book holders that can make this perfect lazy weekend afternoon possible. The holders can prop books up, keep them open, and some have magnifying abilities to enlarge words. They are also collapsable for easy portability.

Getting Cozy with Fuzzy Socks

It truly does not matter what you are doing, the fall it is better with fuzzy socks. You could be doing one of the activities above or literally watching paint dry, you will be happier with cozy toes.

For anyone with limited mobility, sock aids can make a difficult task simple again. They come in all different shapes and sizes, so you can choose your own preference for the best way to put your socks on.

These tools, along with others, will help promote your independence and improve your quality of life. Now that you are all set for harvest season, it’s time to get outside and start working on your “Things to Do in Fall” list!

Well, on second thought, why don’t you just slip on some fuzzy socks and crack open that book. Those outside activities can wait.

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