L4 Home Modifications Flashcards
Increase Accessibility Around
Home
- Replace stairs with ramps
- Install stair lift
- Remove bathing barriers; step in tubs
- Add handrails: around toilet; in shower/tub; need beds and chairs
- Replace door knobs: push/pull bars, press lever handles; automatic doors
- Rearrange furniture
- Be mindful of surfaces
Stroke
bimanual tasks (i.e. opening a jar), opening a door
Hearing Impairment
safety during a fire/invasion, phone calls (help)
Visual Impairment
TV, remote, navigation, tripping hazards, communication
Muscle Weakness
flooring, location of furniture, tripping hazards.
Wheelchair Users
flooring, transferring in/out, outside chores
Mobility Issues
prevention of pressure ulcers
Elderly
Home maintenance, cleaning (robot vacuum), cleaning service
Seating and Support Surfaces
Need: reduce pressure ulcers
Characteristics: pressure distribution, shear, reduce intensity
and duration of pressure, temperature control, moisture
control
Types: elastic foam, viscoelasctic foam, fluid filled products,
air-fluidized beds, low-air-loss systems, alternating-pressure
technology
Elastic foam
- elastic deforms in proportion to the
applied load - should support load
- foam degrades
- tends to increase skin temperature
Viscoelasctic foam
temperature and time sensitive
response
* improved pressure distribution near
body
Fluid filled products:
Chambers filled with air, water or viscous
material
Correct level of inflation(air) required
Air-fluidized beds, low-air-loss systems
Forced air under the patient causes the silica beads to react like a liuid causing the “fluidization” while the patient lies protected
Alternating-pressure technology
- Mechanically distribute users weigh over a large contact area
- AND vary the pressure beneath the user to reduce both intensity and duration of
pressure - Electrically powered air
Smart home examples
Nest
Alexa
Samsung Smart Things
