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

摘要 与根本不存在的扶手相比，安装不当的扶手杆可能会给老年人的安全带来更大的风险。 在这份第一阶段SBIR提案中，HOME Renewed Ventures，LLC(HRV，华盛顿特区)创建了一个 交互式移动应用程序(APP)将捕获来自许可承包商的特定于现场的输入 (承包商)为适当的规格、放置和安装生成定制的指导和说明 安装扶手杆，包括过程中每个关键步骤的照片文档，可以 用于验证是否符合说明。目标是帮助美国人安全地在家中变老 健康地减少医疗保健支出，支持独立性和生活质量。《关节》 哈佛大学住房研究中心(JCHS)观察到，不仅是对较老的 具有无障碍功能的住房(例如，扶手、楼梯扶手、无障碍淋浴、坡道、改进的照明、 防滑地板)将是改建行业的一个增长市场；但只有不到5%的家庭拥有 当今重要的易访问性功能。最多的跌倒发生在家里--特别是在 洗手间。在厕所方面失去独立性是从家庭转向更高水平护理的触发因素。 因此，卫生间的安全性和独立性是家庭改造的首要任务(“HM”)。 虽然很少有严谨的研究来证明HMS的成本效益，但它们得到了 公共政策、临床实践和大量研究表明，它们作为 促进老龄化的多因素干预措施到位。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。 扶手杆很容易买到，相对便宜，可以安装在大多数住宅中。 然而，由于变数很多，安装扶手杆可能是一项挑战。然而，目前还缺乏 容易获得的信息。通常，这个行业依赖于复杂的图纸、许可证和培训 检查人员以验证工作是否正确完成。HRV应用程序将自动执行设计过程，以 确定现有的适当抓杆规格(例如，尺寸、形状、位置、紧固件类型) 住宅卫生间，并在以下情况下使用照片文档自动验证和检查 安装。在目标1中，HRV将从一个专家小组获得反馈，并从100人中获得调查答复 承包商。在Aim 2中，调查结果将用于构建一个原型应用程序。在目标3中，原型将 与两个承包商重点小组一起进行测试，以确定该应用程序的可行性、有用性和实用性 确保老龄化个体的安全和健康。HRV应用程序将提供一个有效的流程 确保住宅中安装的扶手杆的规格、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.