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A walker used as a lifting device.

Bo Glimskär¹, Jenny Hjalmarson, Stefan Lundberg

¹Centre for Health and Building, KTH Royal Institute of Technology , Stockholm , Sweden.

Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology

|August 14, 2013

Summary

A new assistive device, a walker with an elevating seat, could help older adults rise from kneeling to standing. This technology aims to reduce distress for those who fall often and allow them to live independently longer.

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The Ladder Rung Walking Task: A Scoring System and its Practical Application.

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Published on: June 12, 2009

Area of Science:

Assistive technology development
Geriatric rehabilitation engineering
Ergonomics and human factors

Background:

Older adults often face challenges rising from kneeling to standing.
Falls are a common concern, leading to distress and reduced independence.
Existing lifting devices may require significant assistance and pose risks to caregivers.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop an assistive technology to aid older adults in rising from a kneeling to a standing position.
To create a prototype based on inclusive design principles.
To test the feasibility and user acceptance of the developed assistive device.

Main Methods:

A prototype assistive device, a walker with an elevating seat, was developed using inclusive design.
The prototype was tested by a panel of 20 elderly users.
User experiences and ergonomic data were collected using the VIDAR ergonomic assessment system.

Main Results:

18 out of 20 participants found a walker with an elevating seat potentially helpful for future use.
No participants were using a walker at the time of the study.
Two participants did not foresee needing a walker in the future.

Conclusions:

A walker with an elevating seat offers a simple solution to simplify daily tasks and reduce distress for individuals experiencing frequent falls.
This assistive device has the potential to enable older adults to maintain independence and live in their homes longer.
The development of such user-friendly assistive devices can decrease occupational injuries for caregivers assisting individuals with mobility challenges.