Are Reachers Worth “Reaching” For?
By: Jennifer Alexander, Megan Pearce, and Lisa Browne
Mechanical reachers are pieces of equipment recommended for people with decreased grip strength or range of motion. In a way, they act as an extension of one’s own arm. The purpose of a reacher is to benefit people who have disabilities and increase independence and improve their quality of life. Reachers allow people to access items that are just out of grasp, whether it be above or below. This group of devices has low-tech options that accommodate a simple lack of range of motion such as arthritis and high-tech options that assist those with little to no motion such as a spinal cord injury (SCI). There are several types to choose from and they depend on the functionality of the individual and the affordability. Occupational therapy (OT) can help people incorporate any of these devices, from simple to complex, into their everyday lives.
Reachers use two actions to get the job done: the actual …show more content…
One is that there are not many studies done on high tech reachers. There are very few case studies and not enough research for insurances to approve the cost of high tech reachers. Since low-tech reachers are proven to be functional, insurance companies usually cover them. Insurance companies are likely not going to approve costly reachers without more research and a doctor’s prescription. Therefore, until patients are given more opportunity to use high tech reachers, occupational therapists will most likely not have the chance to introduce them in therapy sessions. (Domingo)
In conclusion, we all agreed that reachers are a very useful adaptive equipment aid. Whether the reacher is high- tech or low tech, studies show that reachers help to improve independence. Hopefully, high tech reachers will be more widely available in the future to patients, as more studies are
By: Jennifer Alexander, Megan Pearce, and Lisa Browne
Mechanical reachers are pieces of equipment recommended for people with decreased grip strength or range of motion. In a way, they act as an extension of one’s own arm. The purpose of a reacher is to benefit people who have disabilities and increase independence and improve their quality of life. Reachers allow people to access items that are just out of grasp, whether it be above or below. This group of devices has low-tech options that accommodate a simple lack of range of motion such as arthritis and high-tech options that assist those with little to no motion such as a spinal cord injury (SCI). There are several types to choose from and they depend on the functionality of the individual and the affordability. Occupational therapy (OT) can help people incorporate any of these devices, from simple to complex, into their everyday lives.
Reachers use two actions to get the job done: the actual …show more content…
One is that there are not many studies done on high tech reachers. There are very few case studies and not enough research for insurances to approve the cost of high tech reachers. Since low-tech reachers are proven to be functional, insurance companies usually cover them. Insurance companies are likely not going to approve costly reachers without more research and a doctor’s prescription. Therefore, until patients are given more opportunity to use high tech reachers, occupational therapists will most likely not have the chance to introduce them in therapy sessions. (Domingo)
In conclusion, we all agreed that reachers are a very useful adaptive equipment aid. Whether the reacher is high- tech or low tech, studies show that reachers help to improve independence. Hopefully, high tech reachers will be more widely available in the future to patients, as more studies are