Assistive Devices / Smart Technology for Successful

Aging

Roxanna M. Bendixen, MHS, OTR/L

Rehabilitation Science

Doctoral Program

Outline

• Key Terms & Definitions

• Basic Assistive Technology / Adaptive Devices for Everyday Living

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• Amputations & Prosthetics

• Robotics

• Gator-Tech Smart House

Definition

• Assistive Technology (device) was first defined in the U.S. in the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988– “any item, piece or equipment or product

system—whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized—that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities for individuals with disabilities.”

Key Terms

• Strategies for promoting independence and quality of life for people as they age include Assistive Technology

– Adaptive Equipment– Assistive Devices– Environmental Modifications– Environmental Interventions

Importance of AT

• Increase Independence

• Increase Self-Esteem

• Decrease Burden of Care

Independence

• Mismatch between the environment and a person who has declining ability makes it very difficulty to carry out our basic daily tasks and increases the risk of accidents, such as falls

Independence

• An important concept for what we hope to accomplish in our use of technology and environmental interventions:

the ability to complete basic daily tasks without personal assistance

Basic Daily Tasks

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)– eating, grooming, dressing, toileting, bathing,

transferring, and walking– language and memory

• Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)– shopping, cooking, housekeeping, getting to

places outside of home, using telephone, money management

Basic Daily Tasks

• Leisure activities are also very important in our daily activities

One’s perception of their quality of life is

related to their independence in

ADLs, IADLs, and Leisure

Eating & Drinking

Rocker knives

Roller knives

Universal cuffs

Plate guards

Non-skid dishes

Cups with lids

Nosey cups

DressingLong-handled shoe horn / Sock aid

Dressing stick

Reacher

Buttonhook/zipper pulls

Elastic laces

Pull-on clothes, Velcro closures, button extenders

Clip-on earrings, magnetic clasp jewelry

Bathing

Grab bars

Bath bench

Hand-held shower head

Long-handled sponge/foot brush

Soap dispenser

Grooming

Floss holders

Suction cup / denture holders

Toothpaste dispenser

Electric Shaver

Adaptive nail devices

Toileting

Pre-moistened wipes

Bidet

Raised toilet seat

Toilevator

Bedside commode

Urinal

Transferring & Mobility

Canes

Walkers & accessories

Wheelchairs & accessories

Scooters

Ramps & Lifts

Language & Memory

Communication Boards

Computer Systems

Medical Alert Tags

Language & Memory

Calendar

Notebook

Journal

Electronic Paging Systems

Smart Environments

Americans with Disabilities Act

Americans with Disabilities Act

• ADA ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation, and requires the establishment of TDD/telephone relay services.

ADA Requirements

• Barriers to employment, transportation, public accommodations, public services, and telecommunications have imposed staggering economic and social costs on American society and have undermined our well-intentioned efforts to educate, rehabilitate, and employ individuals with disabilities.

ADA Benefits

• ADA will enable society to benefit from the skills and talents of individuals with disabilities, will allow us all to gain from their increased purchasing power and ability to use it, and will lead to fuller, more productive lives for all Americans.

ADA and “Disability”

• An individual is considered to have a "disability" if s/he has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. Persons discriminated against because they have a known association or relationship with an individual with a disability also are protected.

ADA Definition

• The ADA prohibits discrimination in all employment practices, including job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. It applies to recruitment, advertising, tenure, layoff, leave, fringe benefits, and all other employment-related activities.

Ergonomics and the Workplace

• Science of designing a personal environment so that it facilitates the highest level of function

• Work environment should fit the capabilities of the worker

• Prevent injury, promote health, safety and comfort

Informative Website

• http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

• http://www.jan.wvu.edu/links/adasummary.htm

Amputations and Prosthetics

Facts about Amputation

• According to the National Center for Health Statistics, it is estimated that more than 1.5 million people in the United States have lost an extremity. This equates to almost 6 cases per 1,000 people.

• Why do you think this figure may be increasing?

Amputations and the Aging

• It is widely agreed that amputation is surgery of last resort.

• Irreparable loss of the blood supply to a diseased or injured limb is the only absolute indication for amputation (Diabetes).

• The aging process has already forced physical and mental limitations on many older individuals, and the prospect of prolonged rehabilitation can seem overwhelming.

• Advances in the science of prosthetics have led to better long-range results.

Orthotics and Prosthetics

• Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) is an allied health profession

• Orthotics and Prosthetics is the evaluation, fabrication and custom fitting of artificial limbs and orthopedic braces

Arm Prostheses

• Many arm prostheses have electrically powered hands and elbows

• Simple switches may be used to control these devices

• Also, sensors on the skin can detect signals generated by muscles (myoelectric signals) to control the prosthesis

• In some instances microprocessors are used in analyzing and processing the myoelectric signals

Leg & Knee Prostheses

• Electronic knee joints for prostheses can now be programmed for the individual patient.

• A computer chip allows the knee joint to sense changes in position, speed and force, enabling patients with amputations to walk down stairs and hills with confidence.

• There are prosthetic feet made especially for running, golfing, rock climbing or swimming.

Robotics

Robotics

• The Science of Robotics has advanced significantly since the first commercial robot was deployed in 1962.

Robotics

• Medical – surgery and follow-up care

• Police and military – bomb disposal and surveillance

• Exploration – journey into live volcanoes; visit other planets

• Professional service – inspect bridges and nuclear sites

Personal Robots

• Vacuum the home

• Provide entertainment

• Assist with mobility

• Provide therapy

Gator-Tech Smart House

UF RERC for Successful Aging

Promote independence and quality of life for older people with disabilities

through technology

Smart Phone

Check locks on doors and

windows

Other Services

Automatically refillprescription

Check iflaundry is done

Call in a nurse

Call in for help and

Assistance

Monitorof kitchen:oven and

stove on/off;temp.

Turn on/offlights (and

visually inspect)

other rooms.

Sense and see visitors/strangers

at front door

Order grocerieswith dietary restrictions

From Smart Phone to Smart Home

Summary of Functions

• Levels based on complexity

– 1. Basic Communications– 2. Simple Control Commands– 3. Automates Household Functions– 4. Tracking: location, behaviors, health parameters– 5. Analyzes Data

Additional Levels

– 6. Provides information, reminders, prompts– 7. Answers questions, orientation, general

information (Google it)– 8. Make household arrangements

Quality of Life

• Assistive Technology can provide a means to support independence

• Promotion of social participation is also a focus of AT

• Elimination of caregiver burden

• It is important for both potential AT users and AT practitioners to be aware of the current available

technology and resources in order to provide and receive the greatest

benefit