Assistive Tech gift ideas

As we approach the holiday gift-giving season, I thought it would be appropriate to suggest some potential ideas. In a world with so many technologies offered, I think that these few simple, easy-to-use, relatively low-priced products can be great gift options.

One product I came across, the Adapta-Lap, is a great option for any individual who enjoys reading or using a lap top.

The Adapta-Lap is essentially a portable table that can be adjusted to fit almost anywhere. It's great for reading in bed, or at a chair (as seen above), or even at a desk or table in that it allows you to adjust the degree at which you read, without having to use your hands to support the book/newspaper/magazine. For just $54.95, the Adapta-Lap is a great gift idea. 

Another very simple idea that will be useful for those with arthritis is this bottle opener I found on Alphamarque. This product makes opening a metal-based bottle cap effortless. While this task may seem easy to most, for an individual with arthritis this can be a painful experience. With this product, that pain can be easily avoided. 

While these might not be the most sentimental gifts, off-set door hinges, can be a very helpful addition to any home and having them installed, or installing them yourself, will be greatly appreciated by your elderly loved one. These hinges make it possible for the door to swing off the door frame, allowing you to have clearance through the entire door frame.  For a household with wheel chairs, this can make a huge difference and minimize stress. 

There is a wide variety of options for assistive technology gifts for the elderly. The question you need to ask yourself before buying them is whether or not they'll really be useful. This is the great debate about assistive technology. They can be very helpful and ease the aging process. But, as a negative, they can just be additional gadgets or appliances that add clutter to the home. Make sure they'll be useful before bestowing your gifts!

Holiday Cheer

As we're in the midst of the late fall/early winter holiday season, I think it's fitting that I discuss an article I came across this afternoon. The Champions Sun in Houston, TX featured an interview with two elderly women who are relatively new residents of the Hampton at Willowbrooke Brookedale Senior Living. In the interview, the two women discuss how their holiday experiences have changed over the years, but the holiday cheer has not faded in any way.

Hampton at Willowbrooke Brookedale Senior Living

One of the interviewees explains how she loves the way her new home has dealt with the holiday season because her and the other residents have been kept busy hanging lights, wrapping gifts, and participating in other holiday functions that the home has organized in the past few weeks. Keeping these traditions alive has allowed the residents at this particular establishment to enjoy the holiday season in a new way and to forge new friendships amongst themselves. What better way to get to know other residents than gearing up for the holidays? Although some traditions, like having an exclusive family dinner at home, may be unattainable due to health complications, etc., these two women explain how, although their experiences of changed, they are still just as excited about celebrating the holidays as they were when they were little girls.

Stories like this are very encouraging to hear, especially around a time of year that is so important for so many individuals. I think that the efforts made by this particular nursing home should be replicated by all assisted living establishments because they make the residents feel comfortable by keeping them busy and active through traditions that are so dear and familiar to them. Making the switch from your own home to a senior living home can be a very dramatic and taxing step and it is essential, especially around the holidays when everyone should be in good spirits, to keep the residents at these homes active and involved with each other through holiday themed activities and gatherings. If I had a relative who resided in a nursing home, I know that I would be a lot more at ease if I knew that my loved one was occupied participating in enjoyable holiday cheerfulness. There is certainly no reason that aging should take away from the enjoyment of the holiday season as there is certainly no reason that making the move to senior living should mean that these great holiday traditions should fade away.

This is one example of how technology (in this case, the nursing home) can help the aging process. It also can help make us more comfortable knowing that if we cannot use traditional assistive technologies (like some of the others I've discussed in this blog) in a way that allows our elderly loved ones to stay in their homes, at least we know that senior living establishments do have some promising aspects.

Is it right for you?

Before making any purchases or big changes in your life or in that of a loved one, it's important to analyze the situation, talk to professionals, and decide what technology is necessary and reasonable. You don't want to make any unnecessary purchases or adjustments that might add more stress to the life of an elderly loved one. If, after discussing with professionals (i.e. doctors), you decide to make the move toward assistive technology, your family and professional help can guide you in finding the best equipment at the lowest cost.

Of course, there are simple and complex assistive technologies. Complex technologies will most likely be more expensive but will also be more reliable and will likely be able to adapt to your changing needs. Simpler technologies might be cheaper, but will be less dynamic and may lead to more problems in the future.

You'll really need to consider which tasks you or a loved one needs to get done to determine if the technology is fully needed. You'll also want to make sure that the equipment is up to date. Also, many companies will allow you to test run some of their equipment, which is a great idea if your installing something as costly and potentially intrusive as a stairlift - so be sure to ask if this is an option when doing your research.

As far as pricing goes, you'll need to look in to possible coverage from insurance providers. While no option currently will finance the total cost, many options can lessen the price you pay. You can also find rebates and discounts from not-for-profit organizations that are trying to promote a certain product.

Stairlifts

One particularly useful tool for elderly individuals who seek easy mobility within their homes is the stairlift. Unlike the handheld "EZ step" from last week's post, a stairlift requires no effort from the user. This product would therefore be more reasonable for an elderly individual who has a more serious immobility issue. Elderly individuals with knee problems or severe arthritis could greatly benefit from a stairlift, easing their way of life around the home - maintaining a better sense of physical health and lessening mental stress.  

                                                           

There are some important things to consider before purchasing a stairlift. First, you'll need to measure your staircase to determine whether or not you can comfortably fit a stairlift. Also, you'll need to consider if the staircase is perfectly straight or curved (curved are more expensive and require more time and effort to install). Additionally, if you have children around the house, you need to consider some safety precautions (locks, etc) to keep them from messing around with the device. Another important thing to thing to think about is whether your stairlift will be run by electricity or battery. Electricity may be more convenient most of the time, but battery powered probably makes more sense if you consider the possibility of a power outage preventing the user from navigating his or her home. Battery operated stairlifts are more expensive and the batteries need to be replaced, however.  

Some negatives to the stairlift are that it might take up too much space on the staircase, can be pretty expensive, and can lead to problems down the road with installation, replacements, maintenance, etc. 

These can be great products as long as they are reliable. Generally, they can last up to twenty years. As far as pricing, a standard stairlift goes from $2,800 to $4,000, and you can expect to spend up to $15,000. Some companies offer pre-owned or rental options, which can help you save some money. 

Another example of assistive technology that can keep elderly individuals in the comfort of their own homes!

Negatives/Positives of Nursing Homes

This weeks' reading in our Diversity and Aging course at USC brought up the disturbing fact that elderly inhabitants of nursing homes are often mistreated by staff members, who apparently have zero regard for the well being of the residents. Such treatment includes physical and mental abuse. Laura Katz Olson's book Age Through Ethnic Lenses explains that "one survey found that 36 percent of nursing home aides had observed other staff psychologically and/or physically abusing residents. Such abuse included using excessive restraints; grabbing, kicking, pushing, or shoving patients; throwing things, yelling and swearing at residents; and denying them food and privileges". While this is only one example, it is nonetheless very unsettling to think that this behavior is going on under any circumstances at all in assisted living housing complexes.

I feel that with quality and reliable easy-to-use home appliances and equipment, families can feel confident with leaving their elderly relatives in their homes without constant attention. Facts like the ones above are direct testaments and motivation to make the efforts to do so. And this is not to say that nursing homes are the worst places in the world. There are, of course, many benefits - often times for both the resident and his or her family. Children of elderly who are busy with work and children of their own do not likely have the time required to give sufficient time to their impaired loved ones. Also, many elderly people need consistent medical care that cannot be provided by an untrained child, which is where nursing home staff members are extremely useful and reliable.

Personally, I don't plan on ever being a resident of a nursing home, which is why I fully support continual innovation in the assisted living technology field for elderly individuals and families who share my sentiments.

Portable EZ-Step

In light of this weeks discussion in our gerontology course at USC on housing mobility issues for elderly individuals, I wanted to look for some technologies that might help the elderly climb staircases in a less stressful and more manageable way. One product that I've come across is the "Portable EZ-Step". For $69.95, you can be the happy owner of what looks like a walking stick with a portable "step" attached to the end of it. The idea of this product is that having the portable step about half the size of a staircase step, taking individuals strides up the stairs will be smaller and therefor less stressful. This product is great for any individual having a difficult navigating his or her home.

Users of this product have given rave reviews due to its simplicity and effectiveness. This product is a great example of a easy-to-use, basic tool that makes the home more accessible for elderly individuals who are physically impaired in one way or another. In addition to making life easier for the user, it also gives relief to caregivers who can now feel comfort knowing that their loved one is not immobile or in serious pain every time he or she needs to go up the stairs. The Portable EZ-Step can also be an effective way to get into a car, a bus, or a bathtub. Also, because it is lightweight, it can be carried around easily - another way to relieve stress off of the user.

My hope is that with more products like this one, elderly individuals who are comfortable living in their own homes and who do not want to be forced to move to a ground level apartment or one story home will not have to. If climbing stairs was previously a daunting task, I think that this product can alleviate that burden quite a bit. If so, the individuals quality of life will improve due to the fact that stress has been relieved and also that they will no be forced out of their homes due to immobility issues.

Fall Detection

Well, that was quick. My quest for fall detector information yielded some nice results. An excellent source to find out more on fall prevention is stopfalls.org, which is the official website for the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence. One product that I've come across is the Lifeline 400 home unit. Similar to the SilverCare system, this product provides 911 support and alert capabilities. However, the Lifeline 400 has a lot more to offer. Through the use of one hard wired and 12 radio sensor inputs, this product can monitor carbon monoxide, falls, floods, temperature, and smoke. In can also provide 24 hour inactivity and intruder monitoring. When the Lifeline is activated, the 24 hour response center receives the information and can detect what caused the call. The product has a sensitive microphone and very loud speakers, allowing for hands free two- speech with the operator and the product user.

This product is one that seems like it would be extremely useful for anyone, not just senior citizens. The fact that it is a such a dynamic, multi-faceted tool that has so many capabilities makes it seem like it would be a valuable addition if you're seeking to make your home as safe as possible.

stopfalls.org also provides extensive resources for individuals and families seeking to lessen the risk of falls.