Aging in Place: Assistive Technology Resources

by Lori Deschene

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Elderly Hand Using a Device to Gran a Tomato

Recently, I’ve been focusing on technology to promote aging in place because I fancy myself a forward thinker. It’s no secret that boomers are approaching retirement age and will soon be thinking about long-term care. This leaves me wondering: who will provide all that care—and quality care, at that? And equally important: who will pay for it? Perhaps seniors will flock to the bank for reverse mortgages so they can access their equity without selling their homes. Alternatively, maybe more people will embrace assistive technology to make remaining at home a reality. Yes, this could be a reality for you—whether you’re a techie or a technophobe. In case I haven’t demystified assistive technology yet, remember: an assistive device can be as simple as a wheelchair or as advanced as a sensor-based tele-care system. Either way, independence-promoting devices are far more accessible that you may think.

Five National Resources for Assistive Technology:

The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA)

ATA is a network in three parts: assistive technology resource centers, technology developers and vendors who sell assistive devices. ATA has 40 technology resource centers in the United States, each dedicated to making assistive technology more accessible. In these centers, you can try adaptive devices and test the latest technology, making it easier to decide which devices will best meet your needs. Call (707) 778-3011 to see if there is an ATA office in your area or use their Hub to search for what you might need.

The Rehabilitative & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)

RESNA supports the research, development, education and distribution of technology to help persons with disabilities live fuller lives. The organization has a presence in all 50 states. RESNA maintains a comprehensive directory of assistive technology service providers and offers educational courses for people interested in a career in the industry. For more information, call (703) 524-6686 or visit their Web site.

ABLEDATA

Sustained by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. ABLEDATA maintains a database of over 19,000 products sold by 2,000 companies. Their online consumer forum allows people to share their experiences in the assistive technology marketplace. For more information, call them toll free at (800) 227-0216 or visit their Web site.

Tech-Able

Tech-Able conducts assistive technology demonstrations, holds training classes, and runs a referral system and a library. The library loans assistive devices, including aids for activities of daily living. Tech-Able provides screenings, assessments and recommendations for people with disabilities. They also sell cheap refurbished computers—which come with a basic computer training course—to make technology more accessible for disabled, elderly and low-income individuals. Visit their Web site for details.

Assistive Tech

Assistive Tech maintains a vendor database to help consumers find assistive devices within their budgets. Through their user-friendly Web site, you can search by activity you need help with—for example, getting into the bathtub—to find the type of device that would best meet your needs. Some of the products can be pricey, but so is living in an assisted living facility. If you’re interested in reading reference guides and reports on specific areas of assistive technology, this is the company to call at (404) 894-4960.

In the words of the late orator Edmund Burke, “To drive men from independence to live on alms, is itself great cruelty.” Granted, we all need help at times, and there’s certainly no shame in asking for it. When there are more people who need help than those who can give it, though, self-reliance becomes more of a necessity. Technology doesn’t need to replace human contact, but it can certainly fill in the gaps.

Take care of yourself—

Lori Deschene

Posted in: Aging in Place, Assistive Technology