During an occupation therapy evaluation, the patient may demonstrate some difficulty in completing functional tasks independently.  There are several pieces of equipment that can be used to facilitate a patient's independence and safety.  An occupational therapist might recommend an assistive device for walking, such as a rolling walker or a cane to improve a patient's stability and prevent falls and might also recommend some assistive devices to enable a patient to pick things up off the ground without risking falls by bending over (a reacher) or a long-handled sponge to use in the shower so that the patient can clean their back and their feet by themselves.