There are many different types of assistive devices available to help the speaking impaired communicate. These devices range from communication letter boards based on tracing the person's eye movements, to throat contact devices for those on a respirator, to small hand held electronic speaking devices, to computer based systems with sophisticated software and speech synthesizers. Your choice will depend on your budget and/or other funding available, your specific needs, and your adaptability to new ways of communicating. Also keep in mind that assistive technology is continually improving. You will need to ask your local sources about what is currently available in your area and can be serviced locally if needed, to determine what type is best for you.

This type of equipment can be expensive and requires a lot of consideration and pre-planning to determine what is the best solution for your residence and longer-term situation. The types of lifting equipment to consider include stair glides, portable lifts, ceiling-track lifts and wheelchair lifts. It is best to get a trained professional to assess your residence and situation when making your plans regarding lifting devices.

Chairs
People with weakened legs will find it difficult to get up out of chairs. Higher chairs with arms to push on should make it easier. Ultimately, an automated easy-lift chair may be required. These are motorized chairs that have a switch enabling the person to adjust the incline, and to raise the seat and lift themselves out of a sitting position and into a standing position. More expensive models come with heaters, a massage device and other features.

Ceiling Lifts
Ceiling lifts are usually installed to move a person between the bedroom, bathroom and living areas. In this case a rail is installed in the ceiling, and the person is lifted in a sling, similar to the sling used on a portable lift. There are also turntable tracks that allow the running tracks to intersect or cross. Installing a ceiling lift system is a major project that requires professional advice and installation.

Portable Lifts
Portable hoists or lifts, which use a sling to lift a person up, can be rolled around on one level. Also, most of them are light, can be broken down into two pieces, and easily moved to a different level, or put in a car. The minimum door size for moving a person through in a portable lift is about 26”. Using a portable lift requires training, during which both you and caregiver should be lifted, so that the caregiver can understand what you are experiencing.

Stair Glides
Most stair glides use a track that is fastened securely to the wall side of a stairway. An automated chair can then be moved up and down the track. Stair glides can go on curving stairs, and even around corners. However, there must be adequate room and help at the top and at the bottom of the stairway, for assisting you on and off the stair glide chair. Stair glides should only be installed by a professional familiar with the safety aspects of this equipment.

Wheelchair Lifts
Portable wheelchair lifts are the most economical solution, and can be used on various stairways. Built-in wheelchair lifts are often used when it is not practical to have a wheelchair ramp from an outside door to ground level. Again, installing a wheelchair lift system is a major project which requires advice and installation by a professional who is familiar with the safety aspects of wheelchair lifts. (An amateur installation of a wheelchair lift was once responsible for the death of a small child in Ontario.)

Tube feeding normally requires two pieces of equipment:

• a container with a tube and clamp for the liquid food
• a pole to hang the container on

A pump may also be used instead of a clamp to regulate the liquid flow for a short period (2 to 4 weeks) while you get used to tube feeding. A special syringe can also be used to inject liquid through a tube, or to check if your stomach has too much liquid.

Containers
Food containers come in the form of plastic bags or bottles with a tube attached. Some containers have a stretchable section, which is required if a pump is being used. These containers need to be thoroughly cleaned every day and replaced with a new container approximately every 7 days.

When choosing a container you will probably have the following options:

• Format: A plastic bag or plastic bottle;
• Capacity: Common sizes range from 500 to 1000 ml.;
• Tube: You may need the type of tube that works with a pump

IV Poles
It may be practical to rig up your own method for hanging the feeding container. One way is to use a pole held up by a Christmas tree stand. If you wish to purchase a pole, the commonly available models are priced from under $100 to over $400. Most models are extendible, have casters, and 2 or 4 hooks.

When choosing an IV pole, you should consider the following options:

The more expensive models tend to be more sturdy and stable

Floor models or other models that attach to a table, chair or a bed. There is also a pocket model available for travelling. It has fittings that will attach to a variety of surfaces, including a suction cup for windows, a magnet for metal surfaces, an eye and two hooks, one of which is for the food container.