Empowering Older Adults with Assistive Technology for Shopping, Cooking, and Eating

1. An Introduction To Empowering Older Adults With Assistive Technology to Shop, Cook and Eat Educator Name, CO. & contact info. COACH Project Funded by the USDA-CSREES Grant # 2007 – 04890 awarded to Oklahoma State University (W. Brosi, J. Johnston, J. Hermann, L. Jaco)

2. Aging In The US • 1 in 5 US citizens will be over 65 by 2030. • The largest surge of growth will be among those 85+.

3. Aging In the US

4. Aging In Oklahoma • 17.8 percent of the population is 60+ • 6.1 percent of the population is between 55 – 59 • 1 in 4 Oklahoma households include someone 65+ • Oklahoma’s minority segment within the 60+ age group (2.6%) is significantly higher than the national average (0.6%).

5. Number of Residents 65+ With A Disability

6. Key Issues • Oklahoma ranks 15th in the nation for it’s dependency ratio (# of older adults who rely on younger adults for care) • Oklahoma ranks 6th in the nation for the proportion of grandparents responsible for grandchildren. • The amount of funding allocated to senior programs increased a mere ½ % from 2005 to 2007. • There will be an increasing reliance on informal caregivers and informal local community resources.

7. Aging In Your County

8. Overview Of The Curriculum / Lesson Content • Aging & associated changes • Importance of nutrition in later life • The role of shopping, cooking, and eating on the physical and social well-being of adults • Value of AT and older adult quality of life • Meet Ida

9. Meet Ida: A General Introduction

10. Explanation of Normative and Non-Normative Aging • Typical and Atypical experiences • Normal changes vs. Disease • Physical Changes • Psychological Changes • There are three dimensions that relate to changes that might affect Shopping, Cooking, and Eating • Sensory, dexterity/strength/stamina, mobility, etc.

11. Positive Nutrition and Healthy Aging: The Individual Approach • Physical Fitness • Emotional Well-Being • Mental Awareness • Social Support

12. Guiding Notion Engagement + Informal Support + Formal Support (older adult)(family) (community) = Empowerment = Positive outcomes for using AT to shop, cook, & eat for positive health

13. The Whole Person Approach To Healthy Aging

14. Within The Individual, Family and Community

15. Importance of Nutrition In Aging • Healthy eating and physical activity can improve quality of life • Help keep the body healthy • Lower the risk of some disease conditions

16. Nutrient Needs Of Older Adults • Although the nutritional needs of older adults are about the same as for younger adults, there are a few differences • As a result, older adults need to pay attention to the quality of their diet

17. Nutrient Needs of Older Adults • Water • Calories • Protein • Fat • Fiber • Vitamins and Minerals

18. Water • Older adults need 6-8, 8 oz cups of water daily • Older adults are at increased risk for dehydration • Body water decreases with age • Many medications increase water loss • Thirst mechanism is not as effective with age • Many older adults self limit fluid intake • Fear of incontinence • Decreased mobility to reach fluids

19. Calories • Calorie needs decline with age due to decreased: • Physical activity • Muscle mass • Metabolism • Older adults need to plan meals carefully to get adequate nutrients in fewer calories

20. Protein • Protein needs do not decrease with age, in fact protein needs may slightly increase • Adequate protein is especially important to: • Maintain and repair the body • Sustain the immune system to help fight infections • Prevent muscle wasting

21. Fat • Although fat is important in the diet, many adults eat more fat than they should. • High fat diets are a risk for heart disease, cancer, and becoming overweight. • By increasing the risk of overweight, high fat diets may also increase the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.

22. Fiber • Dietary fiber is helpful for many conditions • Constipation • Diarrhea • Diverticulitis • Heart disease • Colon cancer • Diabetes • Foods are the best way to increase fiber intake

23. Vitamins and Minerals • Although most vitamin and mineral needs stay the same, some changes occur with age • Decreased need • Vitamin A • Iron • Increased need • Vitamin D • Calcium • Decreased bioavailability • Vitamin B12

24. Meeting Nutrient Needs • The USDA Daily Food Plan is the best tool to help older adults get the variety and amount of nutrients they need every day

25. USDA Daily Food Plan • The amount of food recommended from each USDA Daily Food Plan food groups is based on calorie needs • Calorie needs for older adults vary widely from 1,600 to 2,600 calories per day based on gender, age and activity level • Personalized nutrition recommendations based on gender, age and activity can be found at www.choosemyplate.gov

26. USDA Daily Food Plan Activity • Think about using IDA as an example….. • Breakfast • Lunch • Snack • Dinner

27. Shopping, Cooking & Eating • Many physical, psychological, sociological, and economic factors may affect older adults’ abilities to shop, cook, and eat. • Older adults who have difficulty with shopping, cooking, and eating are at higher nutritional risk.

28. The Importance Of & Definition of AT • AT is any device or piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capability. • AT tools exist to assist individuals with sensory, dexterity, and mobility, along with other dimensions. • Guidelines for selecting AT

29. Guidelines For Selecting Assistive Technology • Determine the goal • Complete assessments • Choose a device/system • Select a vendor • Seek funding • Determine training needs • Conduct Follow-up

30. Why Assistive Technology? • Many individuals have needs that go unmet. • This compromises: • Safety • Independence • For example… • Results: • Empowerment • Increased quality of life • And many other benefits

31. Ida Vignette for Shopping, Cooking & Eating 1

32. Ida Vignette for Shopping, Cooking, & Eating 2

33. Ivan Vignette for Shopping, Cooking, & Eating

34. Examples of AT Tools and Gadgets

35. Calculator - large button • Description: • Easy to see numbers • Large keys • Tilt-angle displayAssists With: • Sensory • Strength, dexterity, stamina • Pre-shopping • During shopping

36. LowVision kit (writing guides, 20/20 pen, bold paper, bumps) • Description: • Writing tools for adults with vision problems • Assists With: • Sensory • Strength, dexterity, stamina • Pre-shopping • During shopping

37. Leveron Door Opener • Description: • Install over any standard doorknob • Eliminates difficulty twisting a round, small doorknob • Glow in the dark • Assists With: • Strength, dexterity, stamina • Pre-shopping • Post-shopping

38. Reacher EZ 30” Folding • Description: • Circular rubber tips • Secure hand grips • Able to hold objects up to 4 lbs. • Folds for easy storage • Assists With: • Strength, dexterity, stamina • Mobility • During Shopping • Pre-shopping & Post-shopping

39. Writing Bird • Description: • Eases hand pain during writing • Hand comfortably rests over it while pen glides over paper • For left or right hand • Assists With: • Strength, dexterity, stamina • Pre-shopping • During shopping

40. Folding Shopping Cart • Description: • Heavy-gauge, water-repellent vinyl cart with smooth rolling wheels • Ideal for toting books, groceries, laundry, beach supplies, etc. • Assists With: • Strength, dexterity, stamina • Mobility • During shopping • Post-shopping

41. EZ Carry Handle • Description: • Arthritis friendly handle • Designed to carry grocery bags, shopping bags, etc. • Can hold up to 50 lbs. • Assists With: • Strength, dexterity, stamina • Mobility • During shopping • Post-shopping

42. Make N Take: EZ Carry Handle

43. Kitchen Roll-About • Description: • Ideal for those with weakness in hands/fingers or painful wrists/forearms • For one-handed users who find lifting difficultAssists With: • Strength, dexterity, stamina • Mobility • Cooking

44. Make N Take: Roll About

45. Rocking T-Knife w/Case • Description: • Large, wooden handle • Stainless steel, double-edged blade • Makes cutting food easier, requiring less strength & dexterityAssists With: • Strength, dexterity, stamina • Mobility • Cooking • Eating

46. Digital Program 24-hr. Plug • Description: • Digital timer has two on/off settings • Large LCD display • Easy to programAssists With: • Sensory • Environmental Adaptation • Cooking

47. Safety Wall Plate • Description: • Easily remove plug without touching outlet • Assists With: • Strength, dexterity, stamina • Environmental adaptation • Cooking

48. Considerations For Funding AT • Types • Public, private, low-interest loans • Factors that are considered when qualifying • Age • Disability • Income • Is it for education? Work? A medical need? • Information needed before calling Oklahoma ABLE Tech 800-257-1705 or 888-885-5588

49. Importance Of Support • Individual • Family Communication • Active listening • Shared goals • Decision making • Community Engagement

50. Thank You Educator Name, County, & Contact Information Oklahoma ABLE Tech 800-257-1705 OR 888-885-5588 http://okabletech.okstate.edu