Assistive Technology Links for Seniors in North DakotaPEGGY S. SHIRELEY M.ED., ECHM, ATP

ND-IPAT PEGGYS@NDIPAT.ORG BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS BACK-STORY 2003 Real Choice Project – No Place Like Home

•2001 ND Olmstead Commission RFP’s•2003 IPAT’s proposal Remaining at Home . . .Priceless•Yielded a return on investment (ROI) study showing AT service provision delayed institutional or other high cost placements and provided those aging choice•AT is a cost-saver, upholds various federal acts

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS BACK-STORY2015 Initial ROI Continues to be Relevant as:

•Costs of out-of-home placement have nearly doubled•ND senior population continues to grow, and identifies remaining home as a priority as they age•AT options have expanded, costs have come down, and use of technology in the general population has increased

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS EVOLVES

2003 IPAT Awarded Services Contract

•ND Dept. of Human Services, Division of Aging Services•Older Americans Act allocations•Assistive Safety Device Distribution Services (ASDDS)

administered by IPAT serving those 60 years+ living in their own homes•http://

ndipat.org/services/assistive-safety-devices-distribution-service

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS EVOLVESPurpose of ASDDS Services

•Provide AT devices and services to those 60+ living at home•Uphold Older Americans Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Olmstead Act•Decrease the number of hospitalizations due to falls, medication mix-ups, poor nutrition, and depression

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS EVOLVES

ASDDS ROIJuly 2014 – June 2015Results based on the return of 171 out of 387 surveys•Did this service help you 83% yes•Did the devices help you stay home 78% yes •Did this service decrease # of home visits 25% yes by health-care providers

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS EVOLVES

2011

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS EVOLVES

2011 IPAT Home First Services

•Provides in-home AT assessments•Generates an assessment report suggesting AT devices specific to the individual/environment•Links recipient to funding resources•http://ndipat.org/home-first/home-first

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS EVOLVES

2012 Home First Showroom

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS EVOLVES

2012 IPAT Home First Showroom – Fargo, ND

•Features a ‘real home’ environment•AT devices are set-up for use in 6 different rooms•All are welcome to tour and try the AT devices, with IPAT staff or via a self-guided tour•http://ndipat.org/home-first/home-first-showroom

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS EVOLVES

Home First Showroom Lessons-Learned

•Demo Centers lack the impact of the Showroom•People leave the Showroom having experienced true “aha” moments•Come unsure of options for remaining home and leave with a place to start

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS EVOLVES

2013 IPAT Home First App (for iPad)

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS EVOLVES

2013 Home First App

•IPAT’s answer to replicating the Showroom experience for those unable to come to Fargo• Allows anyone with an internet connection and an iPad to engage in a ‘virtual AT tour’•Download “NDiPat” at the Apple App Store - FREE

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS EVOLVES2013 IPAT’s Home First App

Let’s take a virtual tour together . . .

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS EVOLVES2013 IPAT’s Home First App Purpose•Provide in-home service providers and families an easy way to explore AT options for the home•Expand outreach for seniors•Promote use of AT as a means to remain home longer and safely

AT SERVICES FOR SENIORS NEXT STEPS2013 IPAT’s Home First App •Updating the existing app – look for a new release in late summer•Create the app for android platform •Questions?