New technology specifically geared to support independence for those with physical and cognitive disabilities is under development at CanAssist, thanks to $3 million in funding from the Ministry of Health.

“We can all relate to the importance of personal independence, which is why government is committed to ensuring supports for people with disabilities and seniors,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “Funding the development of technology to support independence so people can stay safely and comfortably at home puts patients’ needs first and contributes to a better quality of life.”

CanAssist is operated through the University of Victoria and is dedicated to helping people with disabilities improve their quality of life, with a focus on promoting independence and inclusion. As part of this work, their team develops innovative technologies and programs to meet needs that are not currently addressed by existing services.

"The research and technology being developed at CanAssist helps remove barriers to independent living for people with disabilities,” said Social Development and Social Innovation Minister Michelle Stilwell. “By supporting CanAssist, government is making our communities more accessible and inclusive for all British Columbians."

This latest funding for CanAssist is intended to develop an innovative technology that will begin benefiting thousands of people throughout the province by 2016. Funding will also be used to launch a new online service for individuals and organizations looking for information about existing and emerging technologies that help people with a range of disabilities.

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“It’s wonderful to see how the partnership between CanAssist at the University of Victoria and the B.C. Ministry of Health has flourished over the years. With the ministry’s support, CanAssist has developed significant experience within the health sector and in working with each of the province’s five health authorities,” said Dr. Valerie Kuehne, vice-president, academic and provost, University of Victoria. “We look forward to seeing the benefits of the funding announced today for people with disabilities across the province, as well as their families and health teams.”

“I applaud CanAssist’s work to develop and adapt technologies to specifically meet the needs of B.C.’s aging population, especially those living with dementia and their caregivers” said Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors Darryl Plecas.

In March 2014, CanAssist received $2-million in funding for the CanStayHome program, which will result in a suite of innovative technologies that support vulnerable B.C. seniors and others to stay in their homes longer, enhancing their well-being and quality of life, while at the same time reducing pressure on the province’s health system. These needs in conjunction with a focus on building primary and community care support are part of the province’s strategic service priorities for health.

Examples of technologies CanAssist has developed include a wandering deterrent system and a phone in monitoring system, which support those living with early stages of dementia, as well as their family members and caregivers.

“In my work with clients with dementia and their families, I saw how the use of a technology system with individualized messages could proactively decrease the instances of night time wandering,” said Cheryl Beach, director of community initiatives with Island Health. “Bringing the idea to CanAssist and then overseeing its use to help keep those with dementia safer is very satisfying.”

Previous technologies developed were done on a smaller scale for a specific region of the province. CanStayHome increases accessibility and sees the development of technologies for seniors’ use throughout the province. This latest funding brings the total Ministry of Health support to the University of Victoria for CanAssist to $10.5 million since 2011.

Accessibility 2024 is a 10-year plan and a shared commitment between government, businesses and communities for making B.C. the most progressive place in Canada for people with disabilities. Funding for CanAssist supports inclusive communities, a key building block identified in Accessibility 2024.

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Learn more:

For more information on CanAssist research, technologies and services, please visit: www.canassist.ca

To learn more about Accessibility 2024, please visit: www.gov.bc.ca/accessibility

For more information on CanAssist research, technologies and services, please visit: www.canassist.ca

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Laura Heinze
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Anne Tolson
Communications Manager
CanAssist at the University of Victoria
250 721-8730 or 250 812-6309

BACKGROUNDER

Examples of CanAssist technologies

The wandering deterrent system:

• The system was originally developed in partnership with Island Health, for a client with dementia who did not always realize when it was nighttime. Believing instead that it was overcast or foggy, the older adult would sometimes leave the home at inappropriate and unsafe times.
• The system works by installing several screens in the residence to remind the client of the current time using a 24-hour clock and an image of the sun or moon.
• Subsequent screens located in various points in the home, show messages or video recordings explaining why it is not appropriate to leave the residence at night. These messages can be modified to use specific examples that are more relevant to the client (e.g., It’s not safe to go outside now. The coffee shop is closed.) and can be recorded by different family members or caregivers.
• These screens can also be combined with commercial alert systems that can detect movement at outdoor exits and can automatically send phone or text messages to family members or caregivers.
• Other wandering-alert systems are available commercially but send alerts only as the person has already begun leaving the building. CanAssist’s system includes several layers of intervention designed to discourage people from wandering well before they leave their residence.
• By reducing or eliminating occurrences of nighttime wandering, the Wandering Deterrent System can increase safety and independence, alleviate family members’ and caregivers’ concerns, reduce the need for costly overnight home support, and help people remain in their homes longer.

The phone-in monitoring system:

• This system was originally developed to allow an adult daughter to leave home and check in remotely on her mother, who has dementia, without invasive monitoring equipment and costly subscriptions.
• The system uses a basic landline, along with a small number of sensors. These sensors monitor the individual’s presence in various rooms and indicate if the door to outside opens.
• A small base station connects to the phone, allowing a family member or other authorized caregivers to receive a summary of recent in-home activity.
• To access this information, the family member or caregiver phones home. Before the phone rings, they enter a code. A summary of activity is relayed, such as: “Mom is in bed and has been there for 30 minutes” or “Mom is in the bathroom; her last activity was detected five minutes ago” and so on.
• After this information is provided, the family member or caregiver can either press a key on the phone to be connected to the home phone or simply hang up.

The zero-gravity arm adaption:

• CanAssist purchased a commercial device, typically used by assembly-line workers to reduce arm fatigue, for a client who could not move his arms because of a spinal cord injury.
• The device attaches to the person’s arm to provide dynamic support throughout his natural range of motion. The device bears the weight of the person’s arm, while preserving freedom of movement.
• For this client, CanAssist developed a sturdy and reliable custom mounting system on his wheelchair as well as a personalized arm support trough that comfortably holds the client’s forearm.
• This adaptation enabled the client to eat independently and has had a significant impact on his quality of life.
• This adaptation was provided through 2013 funding, but shows the variety of work CanAssist performs to meet their clients’ specific needs and support their independence.

Media Contacts:

Laura Heinze
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Anne Tolson
Communications Manager
CanAssist at the University of Victoria
250 721-8730 or 250 812-6309