The role of telematics in assisting family carers and frail older people at home

Abstract

The response of human femoral cortical bone to lateral impact were investigated both analytically and experimentally. In the analytical part of this investigation the Timoshenko beam theory was used for predicting the propagation of flexural stress waves along the specimens. The final solution was given in integral form and the results were obtained with the aid of a digital computer. In the experimental part of this investigation the employed specimens were obtained by cutting a human femur shaft along its length and the specimens were machined to have a uniform rectangular cross-section. Flexural stress waves in cortical bone were generated by impacting transversely 4.8 mm diameter spherical projectiles, fired from an air gun with the appropriate velocities. Stress waves were detected at two stations (positions) on the beam specimens by means of foil strain gages. These gages were suitably connected with a digital storage oscilloscope to detect the flexural stress waves produced by the lateral impact. Force history was recorded also on a storage oscilloscope by means of a sandwiched quartz crystal arrangement, of high frequency response, placed at the impact point of the specimen. A comparison was made between the corresponding analytical results and experimental data. Significant agreement was observed between them, as shown in the figures of this article.

Painting the ideal home: using art to express visions of technologically supported independent living for older people in north-east England

“…However, empirical literature does argue that older people are able to learn to use technology provided it is useful to them (Cullen & Moran (1992) and Thursz et al (1995) in Hanson and Clarke [14]). Hanson and Clarke [14] felt it was important that the technology was used in conjunction with existing service provision ".…”

“…Hanson and Clarke [14] felt it was important that the technology was used in conjunction with existing service provision ". .…”

“…Definitions of 'older' varysome start with people in their fifties. Hanson and Clarke [14] identify the concept of 'frailty' as, perhaps, a more useful discriminator than 'older'. Indeed, the ultimate goal of assistive home technology will be the development of homes that are not specially designed for older people or disabled people per se but homes that accommodate to their needs as time goes by.…”

“…This fear impacts upon van Berlo's issues of 'comfort', 'safety', and 'communication'. The ACTION project [14] involved the inclusion of videoconferencing equipment to be used by carers, the elderly cared-for person, and participating doctors, district nurses, and welfare rights Officers. One person would not have the equipment in her home.…”

“…The acceptability of technological solutions in the home needs to be established using familiar pathways initially; for example, using the television set to host technological/domotic solutions. Hanson and Clarke [14] describe how the ACTION project used familiar items already in the home to embed the new technology and once the participant became familiar and confident with it they progressed to using technological gadgetry such as a navigational mouse. Staged strategy.…”