International Congress on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine 2009 International Congress on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine 2009 AIIMS, New Delhi AIIMS, New Delhi

Feb 27, 2009Feb 27, 2009

Dr V C Goyal Dr Usha DixitDirector Scientist Cvikasc.goyal@nic.in usha.dixit@nic.in

Science & Society DivisionDepartment of Science & Technology

Technology Bhawan, New Mehrauli RoadNew Delhi-110 016

ASSISTIVE AND ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES FOR ELDERLY IN INDIA

Enabling a better environment for senior citizens where their experience & wisdom is gainfully utilized, thereby giving them a respectful position in the society.

They are able to live quality life by developing an effective interface with younger sections of society, who need and cherish their caregiving.

THEMETHEME

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

Elderly may be vulnerable when they:

• Live alone

• Walk alone

• Go out for shopping

• Do their banking

• Travel alone

Technology ApplicationsTechnology Applications

1

2

3

4

• Health/Medical Care• Nutritious Food• Home Designs• Domestic Appliances• Furniture Designs• Garment Designs• Footwear Designs• Transport Designs• Assistive Devices• Recreation & Entertainment

• Networking

• To provide needed safety and security

• To restore and maintain possible level of functional independence

• Two groups of users require some support and assistance in everyday

life- frail & ailing elderly

older people with disabilities

Need of AET

Assistive/Enabling Devices (AEDs)

• Some examples: elderly-friendly mobile phone & telephone

instrument with enlarged buttons/numbers, speaker phone and cordless facility

walking stick GPS-enabled walking stick with alarm pendant-type surveillance devices for

dementia patients wearable devices to monitor inconsistencies

in pulse, etc

Reasons for less popularization

Lack of awareness among users and professionalsLow availability in marketAbsence of support systemsAffordability (& non-coverage under instruments of

health insurance, govt. schemes, etc.)Apathy & lack of synergy among various

professionals (including academic institutions)

Measures/actions requiredNeed assessment studies with

involvement of appropriate organizations

Awareness of users and professionals Interface with industry, academic

institutions, Rehab Centres and voluntary organisations

for production and trials Popularization and dissemination of

AET through necessary support systems

Advocacy with government/other policy makers for inclusion of AET in relevant legislations

Some A/E Devices Device Device

Kitchen finger protector Jar opener/closer

Stair glide, handrails Lap desk with book holder

Bed rail Back scrubber with hand loops on each end

Raised seat, grab bars Utensils with finger bump grips or hand strap

Smoke detector Walking stick, walkers, wheelchair, spinal braces

Position activated alarms ‘E-Netra’- reads text and converts into voice

Video intercom Talking alarm clock/watch

Distress/security alarms Memory games

Secufone with GPS and personal alarm system

Cordless speaker phone with preset memory-dial, large buttons & numbers

Electronic Travel Aids Medicine dispenser/cabinet

Bunion Protector

Insoles Reflexology

Wide Closing Slippers

Back ScrubberBack Scrubber

ASSISTIVE DEVICES

Talking Alarm Clock

Kitchen Finger Protector

Pot and Pan Holder

HIP PROTECTOR

Talking Book

HEEL PROTECTOR

ASSISTIVE DEVICES• Technology for dementia, alzheimer & parkinson

patients• Simple device for essential services (e.g. bank,

post office, IT return, travel bookings, doctor)• Simple device for registration of complaints with

police, legal cells• Low vision aids• Telecare systems• Wheel chair and walker• Mobility aids & writing aids

ASSISTIVE DEVICES• Walking stick with on-board GPS• Alarm at multiple places• Fall alarm• Flash card with medical history• Medical cabinet• Location devices• Easy-to-use mobile device for video calls and internet

services with a touch screen, camera, speakers, videoconferencing

• Standard triggers such as neck-worn pendant alarm and pull cord, activated by residents for assistance

Talking alarm Shower chair

Toilet AccessoriesToilet Accessories

Home Monitoring Systems

“Smart Home”- residence with technologies that enhances safety of elders at home and monitors their daily activities

• Devices and sensors control lighting, smoke detectors, door entry systems, locks, water outlets, as well as visual and tactile signaling devices

• Sensors to watch for abnormal behavior, sleeping patterns, use of toilet, kitchen, etc

• Devices for daily health checks, e.g. to measure heart rate, temperature, nutrition, etc

• PART-I: GENERAL INFORMATION

Name, age, gender, village/town/dist/state, area (urban/rural), contact details, highest qualification, occupation, annual income, living (alone or with spouse/children)

• PART-II: DIFFICULTY IN ADL

Floors (slippery), entrance, kitchen, toilet, lighting, doors/windows, any other difficulty/requirement

• PART-III: ‘DEVICES’ INFORMATION

SURVEY OF AET AT AISCCON-2008

SURVEY OF AET AT AISCCON-2008

• Total respondents: 86• Age (yrs)- ≤ 65: 26%, 65-70: 35%, 70-80: 37%• Graduates & above: 59• Annual income < Rs 1 lakh: 52%• Male: 75, Female: 11• Rural: 30, Urban: 56• Highest response

– Difficulty in use: home safety, back scrubber, ht. adjsutable furniture, kitchen gadgets, entertainment

– Awareness: home safety, walking equipment– Like to use: video intercom, back scrubber, finger protector,

nail clipper, security alarms

SURVEY OF AET AT AISCCON-2008Category No. of Devices Response recd./

Max. total

1. Architectural/home elements

3 224/258 (87%)

2. Aids to daily living 6 443/516 (86%)

3. Kitchen gadgets & appliances

2 147/172 (85%)

4. Furniture 2 147/172 (85%)

5. Footwears 1 72/86 (84%)

6. Clothings 2 134/172 (78%)

7. Communication 2 137/172 (80%)

8. Sensory Functions 4 273/344 (79%)

9. Mobility 4 275/344 (80%)

10. Recreation/entertainment 1 68/86 (79%)

SURVEY OF AET AT AISCCON-2008

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Total no. of response

1

ARCHITECTURAL

AIDS TO DAILY LIVING

KITCHEN GADGETS & APPLIANCES

FURNITURE

FOOTWEARS

CLOTHING

COMMUNICATION

SENSORY FUNCTIONS

MOBILITY

RECREATION/ ENTERTAINMENT

Awareness

SURVEY OF AET AT AISCCON-2008

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

total no. of response

1

ARCHITECTURAL

AIDS TO DAILY LIVING

KITCHEN GADGETS & APPLIANCES

FURNITURE

FOOTWEARS

CLOTHING

COMMUNICATION

SENSORY FUNCTIONS

MOBILITY

RECREATION/ ENTERTAINMENT

Difficulty in use

Assistive & Enabling Technologies Consultation-2009Assistive & Enabling Technologies Consultation-2009Jan 14, 2009Jan 14, 2009

ISSUES FOR DEVELOPMENT & PROPAGATION OF ASSISTIVE AND ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES

FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE IN INDIA

1. Prof. A B Dey, AIIMS, N Delhi 10. Prof. Sugan Bhatia, Ex-Delhi Univ.

2. Dr Rekha Agrawal, Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital, New Delhi

11. Mathew Cherian, HelpAge India

3. Dr R K Sharma, Safdarjang Hospital, N Delhi 12. Avinash Datta, HelpAge India

4. Dr Alaknanda Banerjee, Max Hospital, Saket 13. Bakshi, HelpAge India

5. Dr Bharat Bhushan, ESIC 14. Anupama Datta, HelpAge India

6. Dr Ramesh Arya, GB Pant Hospital, N Delhi 15. Kiran Sohal, Architect

7. Ms Ruchi Nagar, Jamia Hamdard University 16. Raman Bhai Shah, AISCCON

8. Kamal N Arya, IPH, N Delhi 17. Dr V C Goyal, DST

9. Prakash Sharma, AIIMS 18. Dr Usha Dixit, DST

Mechanism for development and dissemination of AEDsElderly User +

Professional Team

Need identification

Academic Institutions

Education of students, specialists & users

HealthWellnessDesignTechnology

R & D

New AET products

ModificationsAdaptive trialsMethodologyTraining programsEpidemiological studies

Industry/Enterprises

Production of AETTest trialsSale & distributionPropagation thru mediaService supportInsurance fundingTelecommunication

Field Organizations

Dissemination of AET products

Field trialsUsers awarenessAdvocacyDemand assessment

Actors

Activity

Funding Support

GovernmentInt. donorsIndustry (+CSR)Charity organizations

DEMAND ASSESSMENT

• Studies in different areas to identify various disability and other difficult conditions

• Assessment at OPD clinics for senior citizens

• Special attention on specific age-related diseases and conditions

Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, spinal cord injury, heart disease, urinary incontinence, neuro-degenerative diseases, vision and hearing-related disorders, nutritional deficiencies

• Awareness and extent of use of AET for users, professionals, carers

• Information about AET appropriate to their needs, O&M requirements, sources of availability, device cost (& running cost)

• Availability of appropriate devices at affordable costs

• Support systems for easy availability and uninterrupted use

WAY FORWARD

WAY FORWARD

• Development & field trials of appropriate technologies

• Adaptive research to explore technologies available outside country

• Assimilation of dev. in diff. fields of technologies

• Legislative provisions to cover AEDs for frail & ailing elderly thru insurance, government schemes

Legislative ProvisionsLegislative Provisions

• Coverage of frail and ailing elderly in the definition of “disabled”

• Inclusion of “Activities of Daily Living”

• Modified procedure for prescription of AEDs

• Mechanism for development, field trials & distribution

• Tax incentives, etc. for production, import and sale/distribution of AEDs

• Funding of AEDs thru insurance, banks, etc.

ThanksPlease visit

“Technology Interventions for Elderly (TIE)” Programme of DST

at our websitewww.scienceandsociety-dst.org