AUSTRALIA: Dawning Of A New Age For Patients

SYDNEY (Sydney Morning Herald), October 9, 2007: Technology has the potential to revolutionise the lives of senior citizens, according to visiting American Jack York, who accuses aged-care facilities of too often putting their residents quality of life into the too-hard basket. Nursing homes might have one or two computers for residents, for email and web access - and that's about it. Mr York has developed a computer system to improve their lives. He was in Melbourne recently to promote the system at the Aged and Community Services Australia national conference. He founded IN2L (It's Never 2 Late) in 1999 to develop technology "that opens up the world" for older people with cognitive and physical disabilities. "The exploding world of high-tech multimedia - integrating pictures, video, and music - provides limitless opportunities for enhancing the quality of life," says Mr York. Today, IN2L has systems running in 29 states in America. The systems are more expensive than the average PC - upwards of $US7000 ($A7900) including technical support and constantly updated content. But their design focuses on the special needs of older users. "There are several issues that make a traditional computing experience difficult if not impossible for most older adults in aged-care settings," says Mr York. "Sight issues, tremor issues, motor-function issues are the types of things that require various adaptive technologies." IN2L has integrated adaptive technologies such as larger keyboards, touch-screen monitors, adaptive mice, noise cancellation headphones, and wheelchair-adaptive workstations to make it easier for older people to connect and communicate online, and to immerse themselves in multimedia experiences. Mr York says these tools make a computer system usable for older people. "When they are used, the experience can be remarkable. Older adults with disabilities, usually shut out of the entire technology experience, can reconnect with the world. Many people living in aged-care communities are the most in need to stay connected to the outside world; our systems help make that happen." Aged-care residents access the multiuser system by touching an on-screen picture of themselves; then they can choose a range of their customised content such as video clips of their favourite singer, or clips of their grandchildren, a link to a newspaper, or virtually experiencing a country bike ride. "Our system is unique in that it integrates traditional computer experiences launched through picture-based icons (to access virtual travel, music, history, games, email) as well as physical tools (for simulators - flight, car, bike)," says Mr York. IN2L partnered with Ablelink Technologies, which had experience in developing software for younger adults with intellectual disabilities, and used its platform to develop content for older adults. The hardware consists of Windows-based multimedia systems, flat-panel touch-screen monitors, wheelchair-adjustable workstations, adaptive keyboard with multiple overlays, trackball mouse, multimedia speakers, noise cancellation headphones for audio-impaired residents, and webcams. One of the more popular entertainment options includes the jukebox feature for older people with various levels of dementia. "We have seen issues of agitation and depression virtually disappear simply through the ability for people to be reconnected with music," says Mr York. "Many people enjoy virtual travel, and cognitively stimulating games that are therapeutic are becoming more and more popular." Therapeutic applications include touch-screen puzzles, speech-therapy applications, cognitive recognition tools, memory applications, sequencing activities and art therapy. The more popular therapy options include flight, bike, and driving simulators. "We are astounded to see people far down the dementia path engaged by driving their Porsche simulator through the streets of Paris," says Mr York. He is looking for a like-minded Australian partner to introduce the adaptive computer systems here. They need to be "willing to invest in building an infrastructure similar to what we have put together in the US. That infrastructure consists of technical support, sales, marketing, and content development. The costs would be flexible dependent upon the commitment of the partner. We are looking for a long-term partner; (it's) not a short-term revenue benefit for us. It is critical that whoever we partner with has a passion for changing lives, not just making money." By Cynthia Karena Copyright © 2007. The Sydney Morning Herald.