Assistive Devices / Smart Technology for Successful Aging

1. Assistive Devices / Smart Technology for Successful Aging Roxanna M. Bendixen, MHS, OTR/L Rehabilitation Science Doctoral Program

2. Outline • Key Terms & Definitions • Basic Assistive Technology / Adaptive Devices for Everyday Living • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) • Amputations & Prosthetics • Robotics • Gator-Tech Smart House

3. 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.”

4. 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

5. Importance of AT • Increase Independence • Increase Self-Esteem • Decrease Burden of Care

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Eating & Drinking Rocker knives Roller knives Universal cuffs Plate guards Non-skid dishes Cups with lids Nosey cups

11. Dressing Long-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

12. Bathing Grab bars Bath bench Hand-held shower head Long-handled sponge/foot brush Soap dispenser

13. Grooming Floss holders Suction cup / denture holders Toothpaste dispenser Electric Shaver Adaptive nail devices

14. Toileting Pre-moistened wipes Bidet Raised toilet seat Toilevator Bedside commode Urinal

15. Transferring & Mobility Canes Walkers & accessories Wheelchairs & accessories Scooters Ramps & Lifts

16. Language & Memory Communication Boards Computer Systems Medical Alert Tags

17. Language & Memory Calendar Notebook Journal Electronic Paging Systems Smart Environments

18. Americans with Disabilities Act

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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

25. Informative Website • http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm • http://www.jan.wvu.edu/links/adasummary.htm

26. Amputations and Prosthetics

27. 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?

28. 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.

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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.

32. Robotics

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

34. 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

35. Personal Robots • Vacuum the home • Provide entertainment • Assist with mobility • Provide therapy

36. Gator-Tech Smart House

37. UF RERC for Successful Aging Promote independence and quality of life for older people with disabilities through technology

38. Smart Phone

39. From Smart Phone to Smart Home

40. 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

41. Additional Levels • 6. Provides information, reminders, prompts • 7. Answers questions, orientation, general information (Google it) • 8. Make household arrangements

42. 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

43. 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