This being a blog on Assistive Technology (AT), I find it important to define exactly what this means at an early stage. An article from the Cambridge University Press defines assistive technology as "any device or system that allows an individual to perform a task that they would otherwise be unable to do, or increase the ease and safety with which the task can be performed". This definition suggests that there are certainly many devices that fall under this category. Crutches, canes or walking sticks, wheelchairs, hearing aids and other hearing technology, vision technology devices, ramps, hand rails, leg braces and other body party braces, and elevator or stair lifts, are examples of the wide range of assistive technology for the elderly.
It's also essential to recognize the level of positive impact that such assistive technology have for older adults as they face the physical and mental burdens of aging. Advantages that younger generations may take for granted, like walking up the stairs or having unimpaired hearing, are commonly not possessed by the elderly. These and other disadvantages often times can keep these older individuals from remaining in their own homes and forcing them into living situations they don't necessarily want to be in. More importantly, these disadvantages significantly take away from the morale of the elderly. Without these assistive technologies then, the hardships that come with old age provide a serious problem to the overall happiness and experience of these aging individuals. As such, we see the importance in these technologies in allowing older adults to enjoy their elderly years.
In this blog I hope to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of certain devices, their availability, pricing, their ease of use, and their competition, while at the same time shedding light on innovation and creative ideas in the field of assistive technology for the elderly.
