China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Radar Monitoring of Humans with Assistive Walking Devices
Published in Moeness G. Amin, Radar for Indoor Monitoring, 2017
Ann-Kathrin Seifert, Moeness G. Amin, Abdelhak M. Zoubir
In order to compensate for decrements in balance, gain mobility, and overcome the fear of falling, a great number of seniors resort to assistive walking devices, such as a cane or a walker (Gell et al. 2015). In 2011, 8.5 million U.S. seniors aged 65 years and older reported having assistive walking devices, with a cane being the most commonly used by two-thirds of the elderly (Gell et al. 2015). The correct use of mobility devices is essential to guarantee optimal support and avoid postural deformities, in the case of both the elderly gaining mobility and patients recovering from injuries or physical impairment with the purpose of reestablishing a normal gait. However, assessing proper handling of walking aids is often difficult for health-care providers and nursing staff. The information on the elderly resorting to frequent or continuous use of a cane inside his/her home can be valuable in designing proper treatment and a recovery course.
Exoskeletons as an Assistive Technology for Mobility and Manipulation
Published in Pedro Encarnação, Albert M. Cook, Robotic Assistive Technologies, 2017
Jaimie Borisoff, Mahsa Khalili, W. Ben Mortenson, H. F. Machiel Van der Loos
Each listed technology described in Table 6.2 is categorized using its technology readiness level (TRL) considering its use as an AT device. TRL scoring was done by considering the current state of each technology in terms identified by the TRL scale, as well as considering how each technology currently aligns with the six WHO principles of AT: acceptability, accessibility, adaptability, affordability, availability, and quality. For instance, the minimum speed reported necessary to safely cross a street is 0.5–0.6 m/s (Andrews et al. 2010; Bryce, Dijkers, and Kozlowski 2015); walking exoskeleton speeds are generally below this threshold. In addition, most LLEs require supervision for safety reasons. Almost all current LLEs need to be used with other mobility aids, such as a walker or forearm crutches. This limits their use to people with relatively good upper extremity function. In addition, the use of mobility aids restricts the functional activities that someone could do with a device (e.g., shopping or holding a drink), although future generations will likely include self-balancing features that would obviate this need. Poor speed, safety, and functional limitations certainly do not meet the acceptability quotient of the WHO principles and thus contribute to a low TRL score. All are prohibitively expensive, most are not widely available, and most rank poorly in accessibility, in terms of both use of the LLE to access the environment and the ease with which a user can transfer into or don the device. On the other hand, adaptability is generally well implemented. Quality is generally unknown, as there are simply not enough long-term data for any LLE products in the marketplace.
User Requirements for Inclusive Technology for Older Adults
Published in International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 2021
Mlađan Jovanović, Antonella De Angeli, Andrew McNeill, Lynne Coventry
The walker, named FriWalk (Friendly Walker), aims to support the self-management of physical activities by older people, who may require a physical support to maintain independent mobility or facilitate rehabilitation. In addition, the walker can monitor of numerous physical attributes, including balance, strength, gait and walking speed. By acting as an assistant in physical exercises to maintain strength, balance, flexibility, or endurance, the walker can reduce the risk of falling (Danielsen et al., 2016). This is a common issue in later life, as each year about a third of older people that live independently experience a fall (Gillespie et al., 2012).