Table 1 Steps in the Assistive Technology Provision Updating and Tune-Up Intervention

1. Identify and assess the problematic activities with involvement of both the family caregiver and recipient.

Agreement by the family caregiver and recipient on the choice of problematic activities to be targeted and features making them problematic.

Ascertain the difficulties related to the problematic activities and strategies currently used to deal with them.

Observe how the activity is currently performed and determine the potential for assistance.

Complete baseline assessment with tests targeting the skills required to perform the activity, if appropriate.

Determine what can be improved.

Explore possible strategies to address the problematic activities.

Agreement among the family caregiver and recipient on an AT-related strategy to addressed the targeted problematic activities.

Discuss the family caregiver’s and older adult’s current strategies related to ATs.

Describe the potential AT-related strategies (from simple to more complex);

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of strategies related to ATs in general and the targeted activity.

Discuss their preferences in ways of doing things.

Explore relevant characteristics of the physical and social environment of the dyad.

Inform family caregiver and recipient of the skills required to use strategies related to ATs.

Provide information and/or demonstrate candidate AT-related strategies (photos, scenarios).

Give feedback in response to ideas/needs expressed by the dyad.

Choose most appropriate ATs solutions.

Agreement on the AT-related strategy to adopt.

Summarize information collected in the previous step.

Inform family caregiver and recipient about relevant AT-related strategies available to them.

Arrive at an agreement about the AT-related strategy to use

Take steps to implement the strategy.

Conduct training.

Implementation of the AT-related strategy by the dyad and competence in utilizing the relevant AT.

Demonstrate the implementation of the AT-related strategy and use of the AT.

Practice with family caregiver and care recipient.

Provide feedback.

Evaluate effectiveness of the AT-related strategy.

Determine what additional intervention may be called for and/or motivate family caregiver’ and recipient’s to continue using the AT-related strategy.

Gauge the satisfaction of the family caregiver and recipient with performing the targeted activity and suggest remedies for problems that are noted.