Team: Anne Zeng, Katelyn Greene, Giang Ha
Client: Dr. Janice Schwartz, MD, Professor of Medicine, Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences at UCSF, Research Scientist at Jewish Home of San Francisco (JHSF)
Problem: Older adults are prone to injury when entering and exiting vehicles.
Needs Statement: A device capable of handling loads the lower extremities typically experience through vehicle ingress and egress provides the user with stability needed for a comfortable and safe vehicle transfer.
Purpose:
Maintaining mobility is paramount to active aging and is inherently tied to overall health and quality of life of older adults. Recent surveys and national data reveal that automobile travel is the most significant mode of transportation for older adults. Standard automobiles, however, do not accommodate users of limited mobility due to inconvenient seat heights, lack of adequate handholds, and insufficient interior space to facilitate a safe and comfortable experience for older adults. In particular, older adults are prone to significant injury as they get into and out of a vehicle. This high prevalence of injury during vehicle ingress and egress motivated the need for a safe and comfortable assistive device to help older adults with this process.
Population: Older adults who are cognitively intact and physically able to operate mobility assistance devices.
Outcome: Reduce the usage of lower extremities for older adults entering and exiting vehicles.