PROMOTING INDEPENDENT LIVING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

Jeanne & Mike SydenstrickerDecember 6, 2012

INNOVATIVE INDEPENDENT LIVING PROJECT (IILP) OVERVIEW3 1/2 year grant from Cleveland Foundation and Billie Steffee Family Foundation

• LEAP (contract recipient and program lead)• Cuyahoga County Board of DD• Welcome House• Jewish Family Services Association (Ascentia)• North Coast Community Homes

Objectives (all achieved)• Assist 6 to 10 families to create healthy safe homes where their adult

sons/daughters can live the life they choose• Identify, test and incorporate technology into customized support options

for independent living• Develop tools which can be used by others

• Financial, Legal, Training, Processes• Become a model others can replicate and expand

IILP OVERVIEW - CONTINUEDFamilies had to be

• Interested in community based independent living• Willing to invest personal resources (time and money)• Willing to work continuously with professionals and other families• Collaborative in nature

Participant requirements• Age 21 or over• Not medically fragile• No behavioral issues that might be a danger to the participant or

others in the home• Involved in a job or day program; or independently assessed to be

able to safely remain home during the day

WHERE ARE WE NOW?• Now have 3 houses with 9 young men living independently

• Technology has been a key to affordability, safety and independence

• Financial model and parent manual completed and available to anyone through the internet (http://www.leapinfo.org/living_with_technology0.aspx )

• Films including parent/professional perspectives and technology use available on same web site

• Both parents and residents are very pleased after 3 years of independence

HOUSE #1 DESCRIPTION4 young men in their mid 20’s live together

• 2 originally moved in June 2009, with a 3rd in Feb 2009, 4th in 2011.• All work during the day

One family owns the house, others pay rent• Share expenses equally

Families use remote camera monitoring system to check in and provide oversight

Parents take turns providing meals, buying supplies, etc.

Residents have Level 1 waivers and receive State Plan services

HOUSE #2 DESCRIPTION3 young men in their early 30’s live together

• All moved in together in Sept 2009• All work during the day

One family owns the house, others pay rent• Share expenses equally

Technology of many types provides essential supportLive-in “typical” adult receives room and board in exchange for being there from 9 PM to 7:30 AMSystems set up to enable independent meal planning, grocery shopping, etc.—not yet perfect, but improving!!Residents have Level 1 waivers and State Plan services

HOUSE #3 DESCRIPTION

1 young man in his early 30’s lived alone for 2 ½ yearsMoved in summer 2009Actively looked for a roommate – found in 2012Parents provide 100% of supportMinimal use of technology

• Had stove removed for safety reasons• Uses Skype to connect to family in evenings

FUNDINGHouse and related costs (utilities, lawn care, upkeep, etc.) paid for by residents and familiesSupport costs are the most challenging issue

• Each person’s needs are different• Good reliable caregivers are hard to find and expensive• Our houses use a combination of

• Family and friends• In-kind support• Technology in lieu of caregivers• Level 1 waivers • State Plan (Medicaid) funding

TECHNOLOGYCritical to the success of our housesInitially hard to find appropriate technologyMuch more available now as companies design for the aging populationUsed in a variety of ways

– Enhance safety– Promote independent functioning– Reduce personnel costs

Ranges from very low to very high complexityValue differs for each resident

TECHNOLOGY: WHAT HAS BEEN TRIED SO FAR?

Solutions range from simple to complex, and from low tech to high techExample: to keep residents safe for preparing and eating food, you can

• Have no oven and just use the microwave• Cook somewhere else (family home) and bring food into resident’s home

• Use an induction stove which has a cool-to-the-touch surface and is less likely to burn someone; safer cooking

• Garage door automatic closer

• Outside motion detector that monitors movement in the driveway gives advance notice of visitors

• Flashlights that light in the event of a power outage

• Vacuuming and floor washing robots (Roomba and Scooba)

Light bulb that storesPower for power outages

OTHER ITEMS

CAMERA MONITORING SYSTEMSWe tested:Rest Assured

• Web-based system that connects the consumer with real people using the latest wireless technology over the Internet

• Full time staff is employed

Engaging Technology Ltd• Developed as a parent monitoring system, video cameras

are mounted in the home but monitoring is done by families, not staff.

• Parents use home computers and iPhones to check in

Others are now available

POWER POINT INSTRUCTIONSEasy for many people to create and edit

• Inexpensive• Useful for many tasks

• Scheduling• Lunch box preparation• Recipes & Cooking

• Can also include voice if individual can’t read or for general interest

SKYPE & FACE TIME• Allows people to see each other while they

talk, in real time

• One button dialing so anyone can do it!• FaceTime on the iPad and iPhone• Tango for Android• Others

Video system for answering the door: to assist in decision making about when to open it for visitors

IPAD, IPOD, IPHONE, OTHER SMART PHONES

Hundreds of “apps” that can be downloaded, some for free, others for minimal cost• Social stories• Language and communicators• Organizers, list makers, calendar reminders• Cameras for training, demonstrating, etc.• GPS locators• Dozens of new applications daily

SO WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS MEAN?Technology must be tailored to the individual needs

• Very Sophisticated and very low tech are equally valuable depending on the problem you are trying to solve

• Low tech is always preferable if it works

Technology can be frustrating, a bit scary, and intimidating but the benefits are many

• Can enable positive improvements in individual independence

• Often results in significant improvement in self esteem

• Can save a lot on expenses

CONSIDERATIONSStaff is still needed, but technology can significantly reduce costs if used appropriately

• Few tools are available to provide guidance

Cost considerations must include initial items as well as ongoing maintenance and upgrades

• Funding is difficult to find—but progress is occurring

Available technology changes almost daily • There will always be new and/or better solutions• But you don’t have to always upgrade

No network to find partner families with whom to collaborate

Be prepared for a LOT of work—and great rewards

SOME RESOURCESFrom LEAP’s Innovative Independent Living Project

( http://www.leapinfo.org/living_with_technology0.aspx )• Two videos:

• parents & residents • program management and professionals

• Manual (200+ pages)

Internet searches• Smart Homes• Care for elderly and aging• Assistive technology• University projects related to disability areas

QUESTIONS?