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Description
The Georgia Tech Research Corporation's RERC TechSAge II conducts programs of advanced rehabilitation engineering and technical research and development (R&D) to increase knowledge about, availability of, and access to effective, universally-designed technologies that enable people to sustain independence, maintain health, safely engage in basic activities of daily living at home and the community, and participate in society as they age with disability.
Services Provided
Research projects include: R1. Needs Assessment and Technology Use for People Aging-in-Place with Long-Term Mobility Impairments. This project builds upon previous and current TechSAge research to utilize population-based data sets, expand the minimum battery dataset, extend the current ACCESS data collection effort, and develop standard user needs protocols to provide the necessary foundation for effective technology design to support aging-in-place with long-term impairment. R2. Voice-Activated Digital Home Assistance to Support Health and Independence of People Aging in Place with Long-Term Mobility Impairments. This project examines the efficacy of a suite of voice-activated digital assistance to enable control of the environment, encourage physical activity, facilitate social communication, and provide healthcare reminders for people aging with long-term impairment. R3. Telewellness Technologies: Translating an Evidence-Based Tai Chi Intervention for People Aging-in-Place with Long-Term Mobility Impairment. This project translates an evidence-based, Administration for Community Living (ACL) recommended, in-person exercise program for seniors entitled Tai Chi: Moving Better Balance, and demonstrates its effectiveness as a televideo-based group intervention for long-term wheelchair users. Development projects include: D1. Smart and Connected Homes. (D1.1) SmartBathroom develops transfer algorithms that automatically adjust a motorized toilet system to meet a user’s needs and functional abilities at any given point in time; (D1.2) Augmented and Virtual Reality Tools to Enhance Acceptance and Adoption of Connected Home Technology develops a series of tools that enable consumers to experience, through virtual sight and sound, how different smart home technologies would work in the user’s own homes, and guide system installers on how to match technologies to meet user needs. D2. Monitoring and Managing Falls as a Secondary Condition Among Long-Term Wheelchair Users. This project develops a multi-component, customizable fall-detection system that can accurately detect falls among long-term wheelchair users and notify caregivers to enable quick response and reduce the amount of time an individual spends lying on the ground. D3. Silver Skill-IT. This project develops mobile and voice applications to support successful aging in place by people aging with long-term impairment. This suite includes three initial apps: (D3.1) iFRAM: Individualized Falls Risk Assessment, Management, and Prevention app for people with long-term mobility impairment; (D3.2) At the Market, an app to promote social engagement by facilitating access to activities, goods, and services at neighborhood farmer’s markets; and (D3.3) App & Skills Factory, a program of application and skill development identified from the TechSAge design competition. Project activities result in universally-designed interventions that support successful aging with disability.