Assistive Technology of Alaska
www.atlaak.org
AT for Boomers and Seniors: Maintaining Lifestyles As We Age
Kathy Privratsky and Cheryl Sennett
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• CEUs are available for participating• 1.0 CEU for whole series or partial CEU for
each session attended
CEU AnnouncementCEU Announcement
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AT Resources - ATLAAT Resources - ATLA
What is ATLA?
• Assistive Technology Library of Alaska (ATLA)• Federal Tech Act Project for the State• Provide: Awareness, Demonstrations, Information & Assistance,
Loans, Trainings / Webinars• Focus: Vision, Hearing, Communication, Computer Access, ECU• Assessments / Consultations• Third Thursday at 3:30 Webinars• Sales of AT
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• Describe what AT is and why it is important to consider for this age group
• Identify three AT devices or products to consider
• Identify three resources that offer information about AT for boomers and seniors.
OutcomesOutcomes
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What is Assistive Technology?What is Assistive Technology?What is Assistive Technology?What is Assistive Technology?
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– We all want to be able to participate in life and do the same things we always did.
– When our eyes begin to fail we get glasses
– When our ears fail we get a hearing aid.
– Using Assistive Technology is a natural part of the aging process.
Why AT in the Senior Years?Why AT in the Senior Years?Why AT for Boomers and Seniors?Why AT for Boomers and Seniors?
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Vision
Hearing
Memory
Communication
Recreation
Mobility
Maintaining Lifestyles As We AgeMaintaining Lifestyles As We AgeMaintaining Lifestyles as we AgeMaintaining Lifestyles as we Age
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• What are the activities the person enjoys and could continue to enjoy with AT?
• Safety (call for assistance and maintain safety in the home)
• Comfort – the person will actually use the device
• Making every day tasks easier with AT
Considering ATConsidering ATConsidering ATConsidering AT
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Merlin CCTV
Handheld Video Magnifier
Lighted Magnifiers
Eye-Pal –Combination reader/magnifier
AT for VisionAT for Vision
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• Bold writing pens• Contrast and low sheen• Extra lighting / more concentrated• Self threading needles• Stand magnifiers• Talking telephones• Talking watches, clocks and thermostats
AT for VisionAT for Vision
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• Zoomtext – Magnifies text across all computer programs up to 36x
• WebEyes- Magnification for Internet Explorer from 4-144pt
• Mozilla Firefox Web Browser (free) Comes with built in magnification-increase magnification with NoSquint
free add on for Firefox, allows settings for background, color, remembers settings
Web Access - VisionWeb Access - Vision
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AT for HearingAT for Hearing
Pocket Talkers
Amplified & Big Button Phones
Loop systems
FM Systems
Alert Systems
Easy to Use Cell Phones
AT for HearingAT for Hearing
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• Alert systems (phones, doorbell, motion)• Amplified telephones or added amplifier• FM systems (theatre, church)• Hearing aids and loop system• Personal listening devices• Telecommunication devices (TTY, text msg)• Vibrating pagers / alert systems
AT for HearingAT for Hearing
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AT for MemoryAT for Memory
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Talking Photo Album Automatic Faucet
iTouch / iPhone Community Suite Pill reminder /alarm
Simple Photo Phone
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• Auto shut off devices (i.e. coffee pots, irons)• Hand held devices (all-in-one) • Medication dispensers (daily, weekly,
complex)• Microwave or toaster ovens w/ auto shut off• Reminder items to help prompt
– Automatic water on/off– Alarms / voice reminders of appointments, meds
AT for MemoryAT for Memory
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AT for CommunicationAT for Communication
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Low-tech boards
iTouch - Communication Application
Voice output device
Text CommunicationHigh-Tech communication
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AT for MobilityAT for Mobility
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walkers
Specialized wheelchairs
Scooters Seat Assists
Wheelchairs
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• Bath benches• Canes, walkers, scooters, wheelchairs• Portable grab bars• Ramps• Rotating disks – out of car, out of tub• Seat assists (getting out of a chair)• Borrow vs purchase
AT for MobilityAT for Mobility
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AT for RecreationAT for Recreation
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Wii games
Card shuffler Needle Threader Large Print Cards
iTouch Kindle or Nook
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• Adapted exercise bikes• Gardening tools• Card shufflers, card holders, large print cards• Hand held electronic card games• iPod and iTouch• Large print books, crossword puzzles,
embroidery patterns• Stand magnifiers and extra light
AT for RecreationAT for Recreation
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AT Resources - DemonstrationsAT Resources - DemonstrationsDemonstration Centers
• Alaska Center for Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI)• ATLA• Independent Living Centers• Special Education Service Agency (SESA)• Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation• Other
• Demonstrations provide enough information about a piece of AT so a person can make an informed decision
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AT Resources - www.aktradingpost.orgAT Resources - www.aktradingpost.org
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AT Resources - ReutilizationAT Resources - ReutilizationRecycling / Reuse (All Ages)
• ACBVI• AK Trading Post (www.aktradingpost.org)• ATLA• Craig’s List and eBay• Independent Living Centers Loan Closets• Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Programs• Anyone can add items to the Trading Post
NOTE: Assistive Technology (AT) and Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
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AT Resources - InternetAT Resources - InternetVision Resources:
• Firefox Web Browser: www.mozilla.com• No Squint Add on - Firefox: urandom.ca/nosquint/• Webeyes : www.webeyes.us• Zoomtext : www.aisquared.com
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Just a few of the resources from this presentation
• AARP: www.aarp.org/internetresources• Assistive Technology Services
www.assistivetechnologyservices.com/personal.aspx • Care4U www.care4u.com/kitchen.html• Epill www.epill.com• Family Village www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/Mall.htm• Independent Care Products: www.independentcareproducts.com/• Medication Reminder System www.medication-reminders.com/• Page Minder www.pageminderinc.com/• Senior Net: www.seniornet.org/jsnet/
AT Resources - InternetAT Resources - Internet
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Questions?
Q & A Q & A
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