Examples of assistive/monitoring medical devices for the elderly?

December 5, 2007 11:45 PM

Could anyone provide examples of medical devices that assist the elderly / assisted-living patients? (for instance, LifeAlert, the device that can be used to notify authorities if an elderly person is in danger). I'm doing an analysis on such devices, but I need to formulate a list of the different types of technologies available first. Keep in mind, this list includes both monitoring devices and assistive devices.
posted by superwillis to health & fitness (16 comments total)

Would mobility devices/power chairs meet your criteria?
posted by pjern at 12:00 AM on December 6, 2007

yeah - not quite what i was envisioning, but it counts as an assistive technology. i'll look it up. any others?
posted by superwillis at 12:02 AM on December 6, 2007

Low Vision aids. [Note: That was the first site I came to on a Google search, but there are many others related to vision assistance. Most elderly people have vision difficulties, especially related to macular degeneration and/or glaucoma, and low-vision aids are a life-saver for them.]
posted by amyms at 12:04 AM on December 6, 2007

Good call on formulating a list of these devices before doing an analysis on such devices. It's always important have some examples provided to you before you start to do an analysis. I will start by providing some examples to you. Canes. Wheelchairs. Stairlifts. Google will finish by providing many examples to you.
posted by chudder at 12:21 AM on December 6, 2007

nice - i definitely didn't think of low vision aids. there are tons of autofocus eyewear that i didn't even know existed.
posted by superwillis at 12:28 AM on December 6, 2007

Regarding low vision aids, feel free to MefiMail me, superwillis. I have a lot of experience helping elderly patients with low vision.
posted by amyms at 12:30 AM on December 6, 2007

Those really long shoehorns. TTY phones and wireless headphones for TV watching. Electric 4-wheel scooters. Those chunky arthritis grips. Those lower-me-into-the-bath thingies and those vertical "sitting-up" baths. Not sure if these are what you have in mind.

And, flagged chudder's second comment as "breaks the guidelines".
posted by Rumple at 12:52 AM on December 6, 2007

There are so many assistive technology products for elderly people that it is difficult to arrive at a comprehensive list. This US government fact sheet is at least a good overview of the various kinds. The most helpful link for your purposes there should be to Abledata, another government-subsidized site with copious and objective information on assistive devices. There is also a link to a large booklet called Doodads, Gadgets, and Thingamajigs that provides simple explanations of the different kinds of devices available. That should provide a good start.

I used to do editorial work for Assistive Technology, a bi-yearly publication, and scanning through back issues for studies specifically examining devices for elders should also help your research.
posted by melissa may at 1:06 AM on December 6, 2007 [1 favorite]

How about: auto flush toilets, auto faucets, and thermostatic mixing valves for sinks or showers (prevents an accidental scalding). More prosaically, bathroom grab bars and the fancy wall anchors that allow them to be retrofitted to existing bathrooms.
posted by RichardP at 1:16 AM on December 6, 2007

Lifeline. It is a medical alert service like LifeAlert.
posted by C17H19NO3 at 2:52 AM on December 6, 2007

The Clapper
posted by poppo at 3:44 AM on December 6, 2007

My dad has one of these things. You attach it to your phone, and you can program in 911, and up to 5 other phone numbers to be called in succession if you trigger it.
posted by headspace at 5:03 AM on December 6, 2007

Giant calculators, TV remotes, telephones - Helpful not only if your vision is poor, but the larger buttons are easier to manipulate if your fine motor skills have deteriorated due to stroke or arthritis.

What about things like web cams? I've heard of elderly people who live alone setting up web cams so that loved ones can check in via the web and verify that Grandma is still moving about.

Jar openers
posted by SuperSquirrel at 7:21 AM on December 6, 2007

Check out spinlife.com for a good range of the types and variations of mobility aids and accessories.
posted by firstdrop at 8:16 AM on December 6, 2007

i'm doing a thesis on biomedical devices, in particular the gerontechnology market and how well current devices meet the needs of this growing demographic.

Too damn well as it is. [/young disabled person tired of being marketed to like he's 70 years young]
posted by spaceman_spiff at 8:19 AM on December 6, 2007

You might try getting a product catalog for occupational therapists -- those have hundreds of such devices. Therapro and OPTP have things like that.
posted by jennyjenny at 5:00 PM on December 8, 2007