DIY ADAPTATIONS
TYPES
1. Adjustment and modifications
- changing something to better meet ones needs
2. Repurposing
- converting something to another use
3. Inventions
– a new way to better meet ones needs
4. Signals
– prompting ourselves and others (warnings and reminders)
ADAPTATION EXAMPLES
What problem are you trying to solve?
How is it being used?
How did you come up with the solution?
How did it make things better?
Instruction hanger
Describe the problem you were solving?
I would make these reminder lists for myself in the kitchen, both for cooking and to help me remember to clean up.
How is it being used?
I use it on my kitchen cupboards
How did you come up with the solution?
Reused a plastic clothes hanger.
How did it make things better?
It reminded me to do things, especially around putting things away after I have eaten.
Control button bumps
Describe the problem you were solving?
My spouse was having a hard time finding the right buttons on our dishwasher because the controls are so hard to see.
How is it being used?
Initially, it was used on the dishwasher, but I have now put these orange buttons on our washer and dryer.
How did you come up with the solution?
I bought these orange sticky buttons and repurposed them for raised buttons on our electronics.
How did it make things better?
By putting these orange bumps on the controls, it is much easier for her to remember and for me to tell her which button to press to start the dishwasher.
Induction cooktop
Describe the problem you were solving?
My wife would turn on the stove elements and not turn them off, and burn the pots. I took out the stove's electrical elements from the top and put an Ikea portable induction cooktop in.
How is it was being used?
On my oven top
How did you come up with the solution?
Someone suggested that these induction cookers and I take the electric oven elements off.
How did it make things better?
She cannot turn it on as it does not have knobs to turn and is finger-activated, and the induction cooktop does not get hot when it is on.
Door stoppers
Describe the problem you were solving?
I was worried she would accidentally slam or pinch a finger in the door or even lock herself in.
How is it was being used?
All of the doors in the house.
How did you come up with the solution?
I chopped a foot-long chunk off a foam pool noodle, cut a vertical slice along its side, then pushed the noodle onto the door’s outer edge.
How did it make things better?
The door never completely shuts, so I do not worry about doors slamming, shutting, or her fingers getting caught.
Remote control controller
Describe the problem you were solving?
Used this orange tape to cover all of the non-essential buttons on this remote for my grandpa.
How is it was being used?
Beside his chair in the television room.
How did you come up with the solution?
I got some orange tape and started wrapping the tape around the remote to only expose the controls he needs.
How did it make things better?
It makes it easier to press the buttons he needs. I want to make a new version with fabric that looks better.
Sugru
Describe the problem you were solving?
My Mum has a hard time gripping and handling things.
How is it was being used?
I use it everywhere in the house where she needs to grip or turn something.
How did you come up with the solution?
I found this amazing material called Sugru, which starts as modelling clay and turns into silicone rubber after a day. It holds shape but stays flexible, and it sticks to almost anything. It is also heat-resistant.
How did it make things better?
Makes things easier to grip, turn and see because it is orange.
Screen door markings
Describe the problem you were solving?
I kept walking into the screen door because I could not see it.
How is it being used?
Screen door that goes out to the back porch
How did you come up with the solution?
I wanted to mark the screen and thought of using typewriter correction fluid, which is white.
How did it make things better?
I now see the screen door better and do not walk into or through it.
Bed riser
Describe the problem you were solving?
My wife was having a hard time getting out of bed because it was too low. I could not pull her up out of the bed when it was that low.
How was it being used?
I used it on the bed under the box spring
How did you come up with the solution?
I made it out of wood and straps so the box spring and bed mattress would not slide.
How did it make things better?
I elevated the bed, and she just slid over and got on her feet.
Pill bottle labels
Describe the problem you were solving?
She could never read what was on the pill
bottles because the labels were too small and on a curved bottle.
How is it being used?
We keep the pill bottles in a shoe box in a drawer in the kitchen, and she can see the top of the bottles when she opens the drawer.
How did you come up with the solution?
I cut circles out of paper and glued them onto the tops of the bottles.
How did it make things better?
Both she and I can read the pills from the top cap in the drawer. We can easily find our pills.
ADAPTATION AREAS
What changes have you made to make your life easier in the following areas?
ADAPTATION
SITES
Examples to inspire you.
HACK CARE
Tips and tricks for a dementia-friendly home
PRODUCT HACKS
FOR SENIORS
Pinterest file of adaptations examples