Low-risk AT for leisure.

Welcome to our guide on low-risk assistive technology (AT) for leisure. This page forms part of our AT for everyday living series. It looks at simple, off-the-shelf items that can help older people engage in leisure activities. It also shows how to use these items with other reablement ideas to support independence.

A group of older men happily playing card games in the sunshine

Learn about low-risk assistive technology (AT) that can help older people take part in leisure activities.

What are leisure activities? They’re activities that people take part in on a voluntary basis during their free time. People pursue leisure activities to relax, have fun, and find fulfilment.

2023 study found that older people who take part in leisure activities experience:

Improved physical health
Improved mental health
A longer and healthier lifespan

For example, going to the cafe with friends can promote mobility and connection. It can help people feel part of something bigger, reducing feelings of low mood and loneliness. Find out more about the health benefits of this leisure activity on our website.

Low-risk AT is a reablement strategy. It provides practical support for older people to do things for themselves.

his page will explore low-risk AT and other reablement strategies that older people can use to participate in leisure activities. This includes:

Building capacity
Modifying the task
Adapting the environment
Providing information

If you don't know what 'low-risk AT' means or what these reablement strategies are, don't worry. We'll cover this information, too.

By the end, you'll be able to help your client identify AT and other reablement strategies that can support their independence.

What is low-risk assistive technology (AT)?

Low-risk AT is a reablement strategy. It refers to aids, equipment, or devices that can usually be bought 'off the shelf'. These items also:

Are not likely to cause harm
Can be installed and used with minimal training or professional knowledge

Low-risk AT helps people remain independent and perform daily tasks with greater ease. These benefits are essential components of the wellness and reablement approach.

AT for reading

Leisure is important for everyone's quality of life. An older person’s participation in leisure could be impacted by changes in pain, fitness, hearing, vision, balance, strength, coordination, or thinking skills.

Reading stand

This item is helpful for people with pain, weakness, or poor coordination in their hands. It allows users to prop up books without straining their hands or arms or getting tired.

eBooks

eBooks can be ideal for people with vision impairment and those who find it difficult to hold books. Users can increase the font size and brightness and use voice commands to go to the next page.

Sheet magnifier

This item is useful for people with impaired vision. It assists with reading large areas of print and works best when the user holds it close to the page.

A white magnifying glass being held by a hand

Handheld magnifier

This item can be suitable for people with low vision to read small amounts of text. For example, it can help enlarge food labels, word puzzles, social media posts, and so on.

A section of text being read using a text to voice function

Immersive reader

These tools are useful for people who find it difficult to read content on digital devices. Available on most devices, these tools read text out loud for the user.

An older woman listening to her mobile phone using headphones

Audiobooks

Audiobooks are a good option for people who find it difficult to hold books or read print. Users can listen to them on dedicated audio players or on the go through smartphone apps.

AT for television

TV headphones

These headphones are beneficial for people who find it difficult to hear the TV. They allow the user to amplify the sound of the TV without changing the volume for everyone else.

A white TV remote with big black buttons

Simple TV remote

These remotes can support people with low vision, and those who find it hard to navigate lots of buttons. They only come with a few large buttons for basic functions.

AT for puzzles and games

Word puzzles

Word puzzles, such as crosswords and sudoku, are available in large print. This can support people with low vision to enjoy word puzzles without eye strain.

Large-print board games

Board games, such as Scrabble, are available in large print for people with limited vision. This can allow them to enjoy board games without straining their eyes.

One black dice, one white dice, and two yellow die

Modified dice

Dice with contrasting colours, such as yellow and black, can be useful for people with low vision. Dice with raised numbers can also assist them in joining games.

A wooden tabletop playing card holder and a blue handheld playing card holder

Card holders

Card holders can be well suited for people with fatigue, joint pain, or poor hand control. They allow players to spread out cards and see them more easily.

Large print cards

These cards are great for people who find it hard to see the small print on standard playing cards.

AT for arts and crafts

Needle threader

This item can be helpful for people with low vision, or those who find it difficult to make small hand movements. With one button, this item can push thread through the eye of a needle.

Threaded needles

Threaded needles are helpful for people with poor vision. They're also great for people who can't move their fingers in precise ways. Already threaded, these needles allow the user to start sewing immediately.

Easy needles

These needles can support people with limited vision or limited use of their fingers. They have a small gap at the top of the eye that allows the user to pull the thread through.

1 white desktop LED magnifying glass and 1 white floor LED magnifying glass

LED Magnifying lamps

Magnifying lamps are available as both desktop and floor models. They help people focus on tasks without hurting their eyes or getting tired. These tasks can include reading, word puzzles, and needle work.

Arthritic crochet hooks

These crochet hooks are ideal for people with arthritic hands. They have large handles with soft grip. This can help reduce pain and muscle fatigue while improving efficiency.

Scissors with a spring between the handles for easy opening and closing

Self-opening scissors

These scissors can benefit people who deal with joint pain in the thumb or fingers. They can also benefit people who get muscle tiredness. When the user releases their pressure, the handles automatically open.

Stable table

When sitting in a chair, people can use this table as a stable platform for different tasks. It can support their arms and reduce tiredness from small hand tasks, like crafting.

AT for sports

A red suction cup used to pick up golf balls

Golf-ball pick-up suction cup

This rubber cup is ideal for people with poor balance or tiredness. Users can attach it to the end of their golf club to pick up golf balls without bending down.

A long-handled hooked device for placing and picking up golf tees

Golf tee pick up and placement

This device is suitable for people who find it difficult to bend down. Available in a variety of different styles, this device helps place and pick up golf balls and tees.

A blue and black device designed to help people roll lawn bowls

Bowling arm

This item is a good fit for people with hip and knee pain affecting their bowling posture. It allows users to roll lawn bowls without having to bend down too far.

A black and silver device designed to help people pick up lawn bowls

Lawn bowl and jack lifter

This item can help people with poor balance or tiredness. It allows users to pick up lawn bowls and jacks without bending down. With a retractable arm, it can fit into lawn bowls bags with ease.

Lawn bowls trolley bag

This trolley bag allows people with reduced strength or endurance to get their equipment to the bowling green. People with serious mobility issues should consider talking to a physiotherapist before buying this item.

A black circular piece of rubber to stick on the bottom of walking sticks

Lawn bowls ferrule

People with walking sticks can attach this rubber disc to the bottom of their stick. It enables them to use their walking stick on the bowling green without damaging it.

AT for fishing

A black wrist guard designed to help hold fishing rods

Fishing grasping cuff

This device is a wonderful help for people with poor grip strength or joint pain in their hands. It has Velcro straps that attach the hand to the fishing rod so it can be held with minimal effort.

A green light that attaches to fishing lines to show when the line is moving

Bite indicators for fishing

These devices are worthwhile for people with low vision. They vibrate or provide an audible alert when there's a tug on the fishing line.

A tool design to help people thread and knot fishing hooks

Knot tying tool

This device can benefit people who have poor movement or feeling in their fingers. It holds and hides the hook. This allows the user to thread and tie the hook without the risk of injury.

Maximise the benefits of this AT with these considerations and reablement strategies:

Useful resources

If you found this page helpful, check out these resources. They provide more detailed advice about the items mentioned here. They also have general tips on how people can stay independent and healthy as they age:

Making Choices, Finding Solutions (MCFS): This guide helps older people find and choose simple assistive items for all areas of life. These items are available in everyday online and offline stores. Occupational therapists also share tips on how to use these items the right way.
Reablement Essentials: Our Sector Support and Development team researched and created these guides. They will help you understand key parts of wellness and reablement. They will also help you share the benefits of wellness and reablement with your clients. With these guides, you'll be able to help your clients lead healthier, more independent lives.
LiveUp: LiveUp is an online healthy ageing guide. It offers free personalised suggestions for ageing well. Users can take the LiveUp quiz to find advice, activities, and assistive items for their needs. With LiveUp, users can feel empowered to age their way.
The National Equipment Database (NED): NED is the biggest database of assistive technology (AT) in Australia. It's helpful for users, carers, and health professionals to find, compare, and buy AT. NED enables people of different abilities to live with greater independence.

Next steps

The reablement strategies on this page can help your clients enjoy their leisure activities.

And by doing so, they can help your clients lead longer, healthier, and more independent lives.

If you want to learn more about using these strategies in your practice, please reach out by:

Emailing us at keepable@ilaustralia.org.au
Clicking 'Contact Us' below

We can also present on wellness and reablement to teams that want to improve their skills. Ask us about it through email or by completing the contact form below!

Thank you for joining us on this journey in wellness and reablement. By helping your clients do things for themselves, you're helping them live better for longer.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that while brand names may appear on this site, their inclusion does not imply our endorsement. Branded images are sourced from our affiliated organisation, NED (National Equipment Database) and LiveUp, and Pinterest to provide informational support and inspiration, not to promote any specific products.