The reacher is a multi-functional, long stick that has a manual trigger that closes the grabber on the other end. It can be used to help a client reach small objects that are out of reach for clients, including a can of soup from a tall shelf or a remote dropped on the floor. Additionally, this device can be used for dressing, such as reaching in a closet for a clothes hanger or for positioning pants or shoes low to the ground. A reacher may be especially helpful for a client on hip precautions after a surgery and is not able to bend forward or a person with limited joint ROM. Additionally, a client in a wheelchair that cannot reach high places could use this tool. This is a good alternative for an elderly client to reach high areas without having to get on a step-stool, which can be unsteady and contribute to falls.
(Koketsu, 2018)
References
Koketsu, J.S. (2018) Activities of Daily Living. In L. W. Pedretti, H. M. H. Pendleton, & W. Schultz-Krohn (Eds.), Pedretti’s occupational therapy: Practice skills for physical dysfunction (8th ed., pp. 195-202) Elsevier.
Occupational Therapy Assessments 