Assistive Technology and Aging in Georgia: Strategies, Solutions and Decision Trees Rob Groenendaal, Administration for Community Living Ben Jacobs & Liz Persaud, Tools for Life AMAC Accessibility Solutions and Research Center Georgia Tech

Session Description Aging is rarely easy and with it comes many questions and decisions surrounding life and medical transitions: Where will they live? What situation, technology and facility best meets their needs? How can one increase care and with whom? How do we pay for it all? Topics of discussion at this presentation include the aging process, conflict areas, and how to avoid or resolve them. The Decision Tree of Aging is a helpful, comprehensive tool to aid families plan through the aging process. Time for questions will be included.

Tools for Life Mission We’re here to help Georgians with disabilities gain access to and acquisition of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services so they can live, learn, work, and play independently in the communities of their choice.

TFL Website

TFL AppFinder Search by: App Name Categories – Book – Education – Environmental Adaptations – Hearing – Cognition, Learning, Developmental – Navigation – Personal Care and Safety – Productivity – Communication – Therapeutic Aids – Vision

AT Helps! Assistive Technology strategies and solutions can help support individuals with a variety of disabilities in all areas of life. AT helps to bridge the gap and provide solutions to problems with: – speaking – hearing – seeing – moving around – getting places – memory – cognition (thought processes and understanding) – daily living activities, such as dressing and preparing meals – socializing

Why Assistive Technology? For a person without a disability, technology makes LIFE easier. For a person with a disability, technology makes LIFE possible.

AT and Aging in Georgia

Looking Back For over 20 years TFL has worked collaboratively with Georgia Division of Aging Services (DAS) Grew stronger when funding was awarded to Georgia to develop Aging Disability Resource Centers (ADRC’s) Expanded our work with DAS by providing customized AT training, technical assistance and AT assessments for the ADRCs as they serve the local community and provide transition services for the Money Follows the Person program.

Building Collaborations Development of 12 Assistive Technology “Toolkits” for the ADRC’s across Georgia Ensure greater access to the AT These toolkits are an assortment of AT that increase the independence and safety of individuals’ everyday life, especially as physiological changes occur naturally over time.

Expanding AT for Aging in Georgia Ability Solutions AT Lab at Coastal Regional Commission ADRC – Thanks to a grant through the Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services, the Coastal Regional Commission (CRC) Area Agency on Aging (AAA) has partnered with Georgia Tools for Life/Georgia Tech to sponsor an Assistive Technology Lab at in Darien, GA. – The lab is set up like a studio apartment giving individuals the opportunity to put their hands on items designed to make everyday life more manageable or leisure time more fun!

DAS Pilot Programs Money Follows the Person – August 2015 – TFL provided assessment in home and in nursing home – Research appropriate Assistive Technologies (AT) to meet needs of individuals – Provide extensive written report with AT recommendations and resources – AT loan closet to try solutions prior to purchase – Follow-up and available consultation

What We’ve Learned Many Red “flags”! Looking at individual more closely Ask more questions? What observations are keeping someone from being safe? What keeps them from being independent? Look at AT to turn RED “flags” to Green “flags ”

Assistive Technology and Aging Decision Tree Meeting hosted by Georgia Tools for Life April 21-22, 2016 Georgia Tech

Purpose Through the powerful experience of turning “Red Lights" to Green, it was determined that Tools for Life/GA Tech in collaboration with subject matter experts from across the country begin to develop an AT Decision Feature Matching Tool to assist with the process of identifying the most appropriate AT for each individual and his or her specific needs.

The Importance of Informed Decisions

What is an informed decision? a decision etc. that is based on knowledge of a subject or situation : Good information is essential if people are to make informed choices about services. – Important information includes but isn’t limited to Services/Solutions available Personal Situation (physical, cognitive, financial, etc.) Forward thinking

Services/Solutions Important information about services and solutions available to you that you should keep in mind are – Continued availability of services/future proofing – Reliability of solutions – Does the solution complement the person’s strengths and existing solutions? – Financial cost

Personal Situation Some things to consider in regards to a person’s current situation are – Physical capability throughout the day – Cognitive function Memory Task Complexity – Financial (AT Reuse, Pass It On Center) – Support Structure (Family, Professional, PCA’s etc)

Forward Thinking It’s important, after considering all other aspects, to consider the future. – Will the technology be outdated, obsolete, or otherwise unavailable in the foreseeable future? – Is there a better solution on the horizon? – Is the individual’s current situation going to change drastically?

Creating a Decision Tree

What is a Decision Tree? A decision tree is a flowchart designed to help in the process of making an informed decision. – A script of questions to ask one by one, the answers to which point you to the next question to ask, until you arrive at a final (hopefully) fitting solution. – A visual roadmap that guides you through the process of making a decision and leads to the best possible outcome.

Decision Tree Examples

How to use a Decision Tree? Using a decision tree is simple, but there are some things to keep in mind when using a decision tree to ensure the final outcome is the best one possible. – Most importantly, include the individual who the solution will be for. – Include input from those closest to the individual – Include input from experts – Try to start with an open mind. The goal is to come up with the best fitting solution, not a new iPad.

Outcome A 2 day national meeting to create a decision tool/flowchart for helping people with aging/nursing home transition and assistive technology strategies and solutions. – 38 participants Assistive Technology Act network/community Local experts/practitioners Subject matter experts (people that we have helped transition)

Next Steps? We would love to have you participate and assist us in this process. Contact Rachel Wilson

AT & Aging: Research to Solutions

TechSAge RERC: Mission Conduct advanced rehabilitation engineering R&D to prevent, minimize or reverse the disabling effects of age-related losses and contextual factors on the independence, health and participation of people who are aging with chronic conditions or long-term impairment. – Amount: $4.6 million ($925k/year) + ~ $1 million GT cost share – Interdisciplinary: CoA (ID, GIS, AMAC), CoS (Psych), CoE (BME), CoC (HCI/HCC), IPaT (IMTC, Awarehome), GTRI, Emory Ctr. for Health in Aging, CS/Engineering USC – Funded by: NDLRR

Core Principles and Strategies Universal design as fundamental to all efforts – Ensuring that environments, products, services and interfaces work for people of all ages and abilities Focus on people with long-term disability who are experiencing age-related limitations (Dis)ability exists on a continuum – Everyone functions at different levels due to personal and environmental factors

GT Aware Home

Amazon Echo Speech-controlled speaker system Voice recognition - further distances All functions are server side Compatible with many EC Brands $179.99

Philips Hue Light Bulbs Wifi Connected Dimmable Displays Over 16 Million Colors Compatible with Amazon Echo Color Starter Kit $174.99

Schlage Z-Wave Keypad Lever Works with PIN, Key, or Z Wave Compatibility workarounds with Amazon Echo are not complex Independently manage security when paired with a security camera $199.99

Xbox One with Kinect Control your entertainment with your voice Netflix, Skype, Youtube, Internet Browser, Music, Television, etc. Gesture Control in Games Price varies depending on bundle. Xbox One ~ $350 $299 Kinect ~ $100

Meet Lisa

Progress! "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.“ Margaret Mead

Questions?

The Tools for Life Team Carolyn Phillips Director, Tools for Life Danny Housley AT Funding & Resource Specialist Ben Jacobs Accommodations Specialist Disclaimer This presentation is produced by Tools for Life which is a result of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended in It is a program of the Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Design, AMAC Accessibility Solutions and Research Center and was made possible by Grant Number H224C from the Administration for Community Living. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS. Liz Persaud Training and Outreach Coordinator Martha Rust AT Specialist Rachel Wilson Tech Match Specialist