.

Adaptive Equipment and Durable Medical Equipment

What is adaptive equipment (AE) and Durable Medical Equipment (DME)?

Occupational therapists are trained in assistive technology assessment, intervention, and training. Adaptive equipment or assistive technology and Durable Medical Equipment are any items, pieces of equipment, or product systems that help improve function and maximize independence.  Occupational therapists collaborate and assist someone through the entire process of adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment including acquiring the device, fitting or customizing the device, coordinating the intervention plan, and providing training and technical support to the user and related support personnel. Occupational therapy practitioners are also able to provide a clinical rationale for insurance companies if you are requiring prior authorization for coverage. 

How does an assessment for adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment work?

 

  • A practitioner from Buffalo Occupational therapy will conduct a comprehensive evaluation either at the studio, the location of your durable medical equipment vendor, or your home 

 

  • After an analysis of function is conducted, the occupational therapist will determine the appropriateness of a variety of adaptive equipment and/or durable medical equipment base on your current function as well as provide an outlook of beneficial equipment for use throughout the span of your diagnosis. 

 

  • You will receive a copy of all reports, information, resources, prices, and recommendations for your records and later use. 

 

  • When applicable, Buffalo Occupational Therapy will use the information gathered during your comprehensive evaluation to appropriate your need for a specific piece of durable medical equipment or adaptive equipment for coverage determination. Buffalo Occupational Therapy will follow this process with you and your DME provider to provide medical-based information for future appeals or documentation. 

Why choose Buffalo Occupational Therapy?

  • Immediate appointment scheduling with accommodating appointment times.
  • Buffalo Occupational Therapy practitioners have an education and continued competencies in functional evaluations with the subsequent assignment of appropriate adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment that will maximize independence and quality of life. 
  • We don’t make recommendations that are not necessary as we understand financial constraints and seek to maximize all resources. 
  • An NYS board-registered Occupational Therapy Practitioner can provide a comprehensive functional evaluation to determine your need for applicable durable medical equipment (DME) and adaptive equipment (AE). 
  • Competent, professional, and high-quality occupational therapy practitioners available to meet your needs 
  • All of our occupational therapy practitioners have monthly competency requirements including seminars, classes, testing, and research article reading. 
  • A detailed report with recommendations, resources, and pricing will be individually designed and given to you upon completion of an assessment for DME and AE. 
  • Buffalo Occupational Therapy can provide a detailed, medical-based justification for adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment when billing insurance. 
  • Clear cost-for-service with total transparency

Other Specialized

Areas of Practice

Upper Body and Lower Body Rehabilitation

In order to be functional experts, occupational therapists are fully trained in human anatomy- both upper body and lower body rehabilitation strategies and techniques. This allows us to address upper body and lower body diagnoses, posture, balance deficits, and more. We use various treatment methods such as exercises, stretching, training in body mechanics, massage and manipulation, endurance and stamina activities, stair climbing, walking training, and modalities such as e-stim, vibration, cold, and heat. 

Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation helps you get back to doing what you love and find meaningful. If you have recently experienced a traumatic medical event, been given a diagnoses affecting your livelihood, or have a loved one needing support and training to enter the work-field for the first time, Buffalo Occupational Therapy can provide vocational rehabilitation for a reasonable cost. 

Geriatric Rehabilitation

Current research has revealed the human body goes through enough changes over the age 65 to demand a unique approach to medicine and rehabilitation. Buffalo Occupational Therapy uses a Neuro Therapeutic approach partnered with their knowledge of human development to treat older adults through Geriatric Rehabilitation. 

Neurological Rehabilitation

Neurological Rehabilitation uses a variety of techniques and methods to promote neuroplasticity, neuronal re-patterning, and return of function to enhance daily living. It is used to help those who have  been diagnosed with Neuro-related illness, like Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, or Multiple Sclerosis,  suffered a stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury.

Kinesiology Taping

Buffalo Occupational Therapy is specialized in applying kinesiology taping techniques to the skin in order to enhance neural plasticity, support recovery, offer joint support, reduce chronic pain, decrease nerve pain,  and help correct muscle imbalances.

Adaptive and Durable Medical Equipment

Buffalo Occupational Therapy offers specialized advice on appropriate adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment for aging  in place as well as maximizing independence when living with a progressive disease or chronic illness. Offering low-cost options to address your concerns is something we pride ourselves on, and if we can't offer you a solution, we will find someone who can! 

Functional Rehabilitation

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Environment and Home Assessments

Ensuring your personal physical environment and home environment is accessible and safe is just one area of occupational therapy practice. Buffalo Occupational Therapy is specialized in assessing your physical symptoms and needs and applying this information to creating a livable environment both now and throughout the course of your diagnosis. Occupational therapists seek to maximize independence to keep you living in the place of your choice.

Cognitive Therapy and Dual Tasking

Buffalo Occupational Therapy has a special focus in neuroanatomy and what each area of the brain controls in terms of information processing, functional performance, and executing gross mobility. Where many other practices only work on mobility or only work on cognition, Buffalo OT is the only practice in Western New York, addressing both needs in one plan of care. Dual tasking and cognitive therapy is an area BOT feels very confident in addressing as we have seen amazing therapy outcomes. 

Contact us