Symposium

Technology (e.g. robotics, assistive technology, mHealth)

Clinical Practice (assessment, diagnosis, treatment, knowledge translation/EBP, implementation science, program development)

Complementary Integrative Rehabilitation Medicine

Neurodegenerative Disease (e.g. MS, Parkinson's disease)

Technology Advances to Support People Aging with Long-Term Mobility Disabilities (825817)

Presenter(s)

• 

  Wendy A. Rogers, PhD

  Khan Professor of Applied Health Sciences
  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  Champaign, Illinois

  Presentation Slides
• 

  Brian D. Jones, MSEE

  Principal Research Engineer, Institute for People and Technology (IPaT); Director, Aware Home
  Georgia Institute of Technology
  Atlanta, Georgia

  Presentation Slides
• 

  Tracy L. Mitzner, PhD

  Senior Research Scientist, Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation
  Georgia Institute of Technology
  Atlanta, Georgia

  Presentation Slides
• 

  Harshal Mahajan, PhD

  Research Assistant Professor, College of Applied Health Sciences
  University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
  Champaign, Illinois

  Presentation Slides
• 

  Laura Rice, PhD, MPT, ATP

  Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
  University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
  Urbana, Illinois

  Presentation Slides

Non-presenting Author(s)

• 

  Elena T. Remillard, MS

  Research Scientist
  Georgia Institute of Technology
  Dahlonega, Georgia

Older adults with mobility disabilities acquired in early to mid-life, often referred to as aging with disability, are likely to experience challenges beyond normative aging. There is a critical need to develop innovative, user-centered technologies to support the independence, health, and participation of people aging with mobility disabilities. This symposium will highlight work from the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technologies to Support Aging-In-Place for People with Long-Term Disabilities (RERC TechSAge; www.rerctechsage.org).
Topics include: 1) implementation of a novel gait speed assessment device in the clinic setting, 2) development of a falls detection and alert system for wheelchair users, 3) subject matter expert insights on activity challenges among individuals aging with Multiple Sclerosis, 4) a SmartBathroom laboratory study on the relationship between grab bar placement and toilet transfers, and 5) ‘Tele Tai Chi’ – lessons learned from deploying an exercise intervention study via video-conferencing to create an interactive, group class.

Learning Objectives:

• Be familiar with the RERC TechSAge center and efforts to understand needs of, and develop supportive technologies for, people aging with long-term disabilities
• Learn about novel technologies, including a gait speed assessment device designed for the clinic setting and a falls detection and alert system for wheelchair users.
• Identify everyday activity challenges among persons aging with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
• Learn about the state-of-the-art SmartBathroom, including study findings on the relationship between grab bar placement and performance of toilet transfers.
• Understand considerations for delivering evidence-based health and wellness programs remotely via videoconferencing.