New federally funded rehabilitation research center at UF will explore new technologies to aid seniors with disabilities

October 15, 2001

GAINESVILLE, Fla.—For older people with physical and cognitive impairments, little things like wireless phones, motion-sensor lights, remote controls for household appliances and door locks are big factors in promoting independence and quality of life.

To help these seniors expand their abilities to perform daily activities safely, a newly formed team of University of Florida specialists in rehabilitation, computer science and engineering is partnering with private industry to capitalize on new assistive products and technologies.

The research team, moving into action this October with the support of a $4.5 million federal grant, is consulting with an advisory board of older consumers who will define the real-life challenges they face and the kinds of help they need to live with greater independence.

The National Institute for Disability, Rehabilitation and Research, a branch of the U.S. Department of Education, is funding creation of the UF Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology for Successful Aging—the first of its kind in Florida. The center will be collaboratively run by the UF colleges of Health Professions and Engineering, and the campuswide UF Institute on Aging.

“We’re taking technologies that already exist or are nearing the production stage and looking at their effectiveness and potential impact on health, independence and quality of life,” said William C. Mann, who is director of both the center and its research core and also is chairman of the occupational therapy department at UF’s College of Health Professions. “Reducing costs of care for this special population is one of our primary goals.”

Mann says the connections with industries are expected to speed the transfer of new assistive technologies to the consumers and caregivers who need them. Companies already enlisted in the initiative are Honeywell, IBM, Lifeline, Philips Medical Systems and Motorola.

“We plan to address a host of problems faced by individuals whose aging-related disabilities or frailties hinder their ability to take care of themselves and their household,” Mann said. “Emphasis will be placed on the design, testing and implementation of home monitoring and communications systems that are easy to use and contribute to a safer and more supportive living environment.

“For example, we plan to develop and test the use of devices that unobtrusively monitor key needs (taking medicine, eating, drinking) as well as critical events such as falls or a stove left on,” he added. “We also will explore the use of computers for active communication to aid self-care in terms of banking, shopping, bathing and dressing.”

UF computer science Professor Abdelalam (Sumi) Helal, who is directing technology development for the center, says “smart phones,” containing miniaturized computers, are among the products already under investigation at the College of Engineering, in cooperation with Motorola’s iDEN group in Plantation, Fla.

“For elders whose physical, cognitive and sensory skills are fading, smart phones could literally become magic wands that give them greater command and control over everyday activities,” said Helal, widely known for his studies of wireless and mobile computing and networking. “In addition to the possibilities for designing computerized phones to open or lock doors, or turn appliances on or off, they could also be programmed to give audible instructions for taking medications or to alert others when help is needed,” he said.

“Smart phones that interface with a ‘smart home environment’ could be valuable intelligent agents that keep track of a person’s medication use and determine when a refill is needed,” Helal said. “At that point, the programmable phone could dial a designated pharmacy, order the new supply of medicine and arrange for home delivery.”

Helal said these are only a few of the functions that could be performed in a computer-assisted environment to help seniors with dim or distorted vision, hearing loss, balance disorders, extreme weakness and/or impaired memory.

“We hope the technologies we analyze and develop—from handheld electronic devices to more extensive communication and health monitoring systems—will add life to years for people who want to live as independently as possible,” said Jeffrey W. Dwyer, director of UF’s Institute on Aging. Dwyer will lead the project’s educational component, aimed at informing elders, caregivers and service providers regarding the assistive technologies available.

“We envision developing product videos and booklets, setting up toll-free phone lines for information on technology, providing free information at seniors’ centers and through the World Wide Web, and working with Area Agencies on Aging and other networks to disseminate information,” said Dwyer.

Further strengthening the effort are collaborations with federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Administration on Aging; four other universities and five major aging or aging-related organizations, including AARP, American Society on Aging, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, American Medical Association and Association of Tech Act Programs.