Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
him this personal battle with his self-esteem and embarrassment in front of family and
friends.
The only identified disincentive is that eventually the disease will rob him of his ability
to use these low-tech devices. There will come a time when he will not remember what
the locator device remote is for or how it works or he will forget to write things down, or
even if he does write them down, he will not remember to look at the device. He may even
lose these AT devices. All of these scenarios represent another loss of function in his life
and during moments of clarity in cognition, he may realize yet another loss in his life.
Conversely, even after he can no longer remember how to use the locator device, it could
still be of assistance to his family to help them locate items he has misplaced. However,
until that day comes, this consumer has the potential to be successful with these easy-to-
use low-tech devices to improve his quality of life at work and at home.
The Initial Worksheet for the MPT model and History of Support Use was used and it
covered the basics and promoted discussions questioning if those areas were applicable.
The Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment (ATD PA) was the most
helpful in revealing good information that may not have been divulged in the course of
a conversation or counseling session. It appeared easier for this consumer to own these
issues and feelings through this form without having to verbally admit to them. The com-
puter-generated ATDPA results provided good feedback so everyone could clearly see his
areas of importance, strength, and weakness. He identified participation in desired activi-
ties; freedom to go where desired; and fitting in, belonging, and feeling connected as his
three most important quality-of-life issues. The results of the survey also concluded that
he may have difficulty accepting and learning new devices and may not be ready to accept
significant new challenges, stressing the importance of a slower introduction of devices
and pacing to learn or incorporate their use. The device comparisons for potential suc-
cessful use of the selected AT devices was very encouraging. The biggest hindrance to
successful implementation at this point is the lack of availability of an appropriate product.
6.6.3 research, Implementation, and recommendations
All of the AT devices explored are assistive daily living devices to enhance short-term
memory. All of these devices would be applicable to both the James' personal and profes-
sional life. In the course of the initial conversations several items were discussed, includ-
ing a Palm Pilot Pre, Blackberry, iPhone 3G, various calendars including a day planner
book, notebooks (8.5 × 11 and 8.5 × 5.5), and a locator device for lost items.
Professionals provided their personal Palm Pilot Pres, Blackberries, and iPhones, respec-
tively. They worked with James to determine if he could learn to use the items, feel com-
fortable with them, and could remember how to use them. We met on two different days to
judge his retention from one day to the next. James was not comfortable with any of these
items, and they appeared to intimidate and overwhelm him. He found the Blackberry and
Palm Pilot Pre particularly frustrating. The tiny keys for texting were particularly frustrat-
ing because his fingers kept hitting multiple keys. He also had difficulty remembering
the commands, which buttons to push, or how to navigate within the system of each of
these devices. Of the three devices, the iPhone 3G was the most user-friendly for him.
Having the largest flat surface with the apps readily available with easily recognizable
icons and the ease of accessing and moving the apps with the stroke of a finger appeared
to lesson his anxiety; however, on the second attempt to use the iPhone the next day, he
could not remember how to manipulate the apps or even how to access the most basic
commands of answering the phone, checking voicemail messages, making and retrieving
