What are the Different Types of Occupational Therapy Products?

Occupational therapy products are items people use to help them function in their daily lives, such as ones that help them bathe, exercise, or walk. People who require help might be anyone with an injury or who has recently suffered from a debilitating disease. Elderly people often need assistance, but young people can benefit from occupational therapy products, as well. Different types of occupational therapy products include positioning products, wedges, rehabilitation devices, bathing aids, toileting aids, and mobility aids.

Positioning products are items that help people maintain a certain position for an extended period of time. For example, a massage chair can help keep a patient's body firmly secured while a massage therapist works the muscles. Certain types of cushions known as knee elevators help keep a person's knees elevated, and typically consist of a triangular piece of foam. A patient can rest on his or her back and use a knee elevator to prop up the knees. These types of occupational therapy products might help keep nerves from becoming pinched, help poor circulation, or relieve pressure on the lower back.

Wedges are similar to knee elevators, but they have a more gradual incline. They work well as pillows and help keep a patient's neck at a slight angle. Sometimes if patients sleep on an incline, they can breathe easier by using a wedge.

Rehabilitation products include sinus systems, irrigators, and custom exercise equipment, such as weighted medicine balls. Sinus systems and irrigators can cleanse a person's clogged sinus passages. Patients can use exercise equipment to help develop muscle strength in their hands and arms.

Being able to bathe is something most people take for granted. Some people, however, cannot stand up to shower or sit down in a bathtub. These patients can use bathing chairs while they shower. Such products can help ensure patient safety by making sure the patient won't slip or fall.

Toileting products are important, as well. They include elevated toilet cushions that could help people with back problems. An elevated toilet cushion allows someone with a back problem the ability to sit on a toilet without bending fully and hurting his or her back.

Mobility products help people get from place to place, and they include such things as walkers, canes, and power scooters. Walkers, for instance, can help people who have poor balance. Canes can help people with less severe leg problems. Power scooters consist of motorized scooters that people can drive from one location to another. Partially paralyzed patients, for instance, are one type of patient who might benefit from a power scooter.