Independent Home Life:In-Home Care Products/Services for Mature Adults and Caregi

描述（由申请人提供）：这个SBIR一期项目将开发一个基于网络的资源，以支持老年人和家庭照顾者（成年人）在购买和使用家庭辅助护理产品和服务方面做出更明智的决策。成熟的成年人希望呆在家里，越来越多地，科技被视为支持独立和安全的一种方式。虽然互联网上有关于技术和产品的信息，但缺乏有效、可靠和自由获取（与产品销售无关）的信息。大多数与产品相关的网站都是为了销售产品而设计的，而不是为了帮助消费者找到合适的产品，并知道如何评估这是否是最适合他们需求的产品。独立家庭生活将提供有关年龄相关变化的易于理解的信息，这些信息也可能需要使用辅助护理产品来解决这些变化。网站将对产品进行详细描述，并提供如何安装（自行或专业安装）和有效使用产品的信息。此外，产品将由高级环境专家、职业治疗师和成年人进行三重评估。这种评估将使成年人对他们正在考虑购买的产品的质量更有信心。除产品信息外，该网站还将提供其他有效和可靠资源的易于搜索链接，包括（但不限于）当地商业促进局办公室、老龄问题地区机构办公室、其他非营利和政府支持的网站/项目/办公室（即州技术法案网站）。我们将寻求与一些组织合作，如Angie’s List或Service Magic Pros，以及全国住宅建筑商协会（National Association of Home Builders）的cap （Certified Aging in Place Specialist）项目，这些组织提供消费者评级服务提供商的信息。该网站将整合Web 2.0功能，支持用户评级和评论，以及在典型的家庭环境中演示实际产品使用应用的虚拟房间参观，以及社交网络，鼓励消费者持续分享经验。该项目将首先寻求目标市场用户输入，以确定成年人所需的关键特征和信息类别。然后，Debutante将利用这些信息开发网站的原型，重点关注浴室的产品和服务。同时，产品将由两组专家和招募来评估产品的成年人来获取和评估。还将开发与评估服务提供者选项（家庭护理提供者和承包商）的链接。一旦原型站点被开发和填充，它将由成年人通过面对面的焦点小组和电子方式进行评估。我们将编制最后报告，并制订第二阶段的应用和商业化计划。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This SBIR Phase I project will develop a web-based resource to support more informed decision-making about purchasing and using in-home assistive care products and services by seniors and family caregivers (mature adults). Mature adults want to stay in their homes, and increasingly, technology is being viewed as one way to support independence and safety. While there is information on technologies and products available on the Internet, valid, reliable and freely accessible (not associated with product sales) information is missing. Most product-related websites are designed to sell products, not to help the consumer find the right product, and know how to evaluate whether it is the most appropriate product for their need. Independent Home Life will provide easy-to-understand information about age-related changes that may also require the use of assistive care products that address these changes. Products on the site will be described in detail, with information on how to install (self or professional installation) and use the products effectively. Further, products will be triple evaluated, by senior environmental experts, by occupational therapists, and by mature adults. This evaluation will give mature adults greater confidence in the quality of the products they are considering purchasing. Beyond product information, the site will provide easily searchable links to other valid and reliable resources, including (but not limited to) local Better Business Bureau offices, Area Agency on Aging Offices, other non-profit and government-supported sites/programs/offices (i.e., state Tech-Act Web sites). We will seek to partner with organizations such as Angie's List or Service Magic Pros and the CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) program at the National Association of Home Builders that provide information on consumer-rated service providers. The site will incorporate Web 2.0 functionality, enabling user ratings and review as well as virtual room tours to demonstrate practical product use applications within a typical home setting, and social networking, encouraging ongoing sharing of experiences by consumers. The project will begin by seeking target market user-input to identify key features and classes of information desired by mature adults. Debutante will then use that information to develop a prototype of the website, focusing on products and services for bathrooms. Simultaneously, products will be acquired and evaluated by two teams of experts and by mature adults recruited to evaluate the products. Links to evaluated service provider options (in-home care providers and contractors) will also be developed. Once the prototype site is developed and populated, it will be evaluated by mature adults in both in-person focus groups and electronically. A final report will be prepared and the Phase II application and commercialization plan with be developed. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Mature adults want to stay in their homes, and increasingly, technology is being viewed as one way to support independence and safety. Independent Home Life will develop a web-based resource to support more informed decision making about purchasing and using in-home assistive care products and services.