Development of an application ("app") for training and assessment of home modification installations for aging in place

摘要 扶手杆安装不当可能是一个更大的风险，老年人的安全比一个根本没有。 在第一阶段SBIR提案中，Homes Renewed Ventures，LLC（HRV，华盛顿，DC）创建了一个 交互式移动的应用程序（APP）将从持牌承包商处获取现场特定输入 （承包商）生成定制的指导和说明，以正确的规格，位置和 安装扶手杆，包括过程中每个关键步骤的照片文件， 用于验证是否符合说明。其目的是帮助美国人在家中安全地养老 减少医疗保健支出，支持独立和生活质量。联合 哈佛大学住房研究中心（JCHS）观察到， 具有可接近特征的外壳（例如，扶手杆，楼梯扶手，无路缘淋浴，坡道，改善照明， 防滑地板）将是一个增长市场的改造行业，但只有不到5%的家庭有 今天的重要可访问性功能。最多的福尔斯跌倒发生在家中--特别是在 浴室在家庭中失去独立性是从家庭转向更高层次护理的触发因素。 因此，浴室的安全性和独立性是家庭改造（“HM”）的首要任务。 虽然很少有严格的研究证明HM的成本效益，但它们得到了以下方面的支持： 公共政策、临床实践和大量研究表明， 多因素干预促进就地养老。抓斗的正确规格和安装 酒吧对老年人的安全和健康至关重要。 扶手杆很容易购买，价格相对便宜，可以安装在大多数住宅中。 然而，由于许多变量，安装扶手杆可能是一个挑战。然而，缺乏 信息随时可用。通常情况下，这个行业依赖于复杂的图纸，许可证和训练有素的 检查员检查工作是否正确。HRV APP将自动化设计过程， 确定适当的扶手杆规格（例如，尺寸、形状、位置、紧固件类型） 住宅浴室，并使用照片文档自动验证和检查后， 安装.在目标1中，HRV将从专家小组获得反馈，并从100个 承建商在目标2中，调查结果将用于建立一个原型应用程序。 与两个承包商焦点小组一起进行测试，以确定APP的可行性、有用性和实用性， 保障居家养老人员的安全和健康。HRV APP将提供一个有效的流程 确保安装在住宅内的扶手杆的规格、安装和验证正确。

ABSTRACT Improper installation of a grab bar can be a greater risk to seniors’ safety than one that is not there at all. In this Phase I SBIR proposal, Homes Renewed Ventures, LLC (HRV, Washington, DC) creates an interactive mobile application (APP) will captures site specific inputs from a licensed contractor (contractor) to generate customized guidance and instructions for the proper specification, placement and installation of grab bars including photo documentation of each critical step of the process which can be used to verify compliance with the instructions. The goal is to help Americans age in their homes safely and healthily, reducing health care spending and supporting independence and quality of life. The Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) of Harvard University has observed not only that retrofitting older housing with accessibility features (e.g., grab bars, stair rails, curbless showers, ramps, improved lighting, non-slip flooring) will be a growth market for the remodeling industry; but that less than 5% of homes have significant accessibility features today. The largest number of falls occur in the home - specifically in the bathroom. Loss of independence in toileting is a trigger of a move from the home to a higher level of care. As a result, bathroom safety and independence are the #1 priority for home modifications (“HM”). While there are few rigorous studies to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of HMs , they are supported by public policy, clinical practice and a large number of studies that have shown their effectiveness as part of a multifactorial intervention to promote aging in place. Proper specification and installation of grab bars are critical to the safety and health of seniors. Grab bars can be easily purchased, are relatively inexpensive and can be installed in most dwellings. However, installing grab bars can be a challenge due to the many variables. Yet there is a lack of information readily available. Typically, this industry relies on complicated drawings, permits and trained inspectors to verify that work is done properly. The HRV APP will automate the design process to determine appropriate grab bar specifications (e.g., size, shape, location, fastener type) in existing residential bathrooms, and use photo documentation to automate verification and inspection after installation. In Aim 1 HRV will obtain feedback from an Expert Panel and survey responses from 100 contractors. In Aim 2 the survey results will be used to build a prototype APP. In Aim 3 the prototype will be tested with two contractor focus groups to determine feasibility, usefulness and utility of the APP to ensure the safety and health of individuals aging in place. The HRV APP will provide an effective process to ensure the proper specification, installation and verification of grab bars installed in residences.