Transcript Document
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 TechnologyRelated 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
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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
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
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
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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
From Smart Phone to Smart
Home
Summary of Functions
• Levels based on complexity
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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