Mobius Accessibility Mounting System and Assistive Technology Product Line to Support Independence and Safety for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities

Project Summary/Abstract The overwhelming majority of older adults, age 65 and over, want to age in place at home, but many reach a point in their lives where they can no longer live in their own home simply because they are unable to complete their activities of daily living (ADLs) and move around their home safely and effectively. The facts are that only 10% of homes in the US have the accommodations needed for mobility (only 5.8% of the homes in Pennsylvania and New York are considered “aging-ready”), yet an estimated 35% of older adults and most people over age 85 have mobility limitations. These limitations are most often the result of the onset of multiple chronic conditions including arthritis, heart disease and chronic lung disease. Mobility limitations can have life- changing impacts even when the older adult is living with a companion because mobility limitations often result in higher rates of disease, disability, and hospitalization due to falls. One in three older adults fall annually, and one out of five falls in older adults result in serious injury. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults ages 65 and older[1]. Home modifications and accommodations that make homes safer and more accessible include stair lifts, grab bars, and bath/shower adaptations and renovations. However, the current fall-prevention products available in the market are not meeting older adults' needs for mobility aids. Product innovation has stagnated, and too often, tight spaces and placement restrictions make installation of grab bars and other devices difficult or impossible. There is a significant need and consumer demand for an easily installable, reliable system that allows end users to adapt mobility aids such as grab bars, railings, and other assistive devices in their homes. The current situation for many people with mobility impairments is that even when an outdated product is available, installation of these essential mobility assistance devices requires expensive contractors. And, once installed, these devices are not able to be adapted by the end user as their needs evolve and change. Our objective is to further develop and commercialize a novel system and attachments to improve the accessibility of living spaces and serve as a foundation for mobility aids to support successful aging-in-place. Once the product is installed, our modular, expandable rail system can be easily adapted with interchangeable accessories that solve a range of mobility problems in the home. When not configured for a particular mobility need, the rail can be hidden by a decorative cover to mimic architectural trim work. We have successfully demonstrated feasibility of a system in the completed first phase of this project and now seek SBIR Phase II funding to (1) perform a comprehensive design review and establish priority for developing attachments using a focus group research approach; (2) redesign components, taking into account all feedback from the design review, and manufacture production parts; and (3) perform studies to evaluate the usability of the product from the perspectives of various stakeholders, and test its performance in the University of Pittsburgh Healthy Home Laboratory and in the homes of volunteers. Upon completion of the grant, we will manufacture and distribute the product through our own company, other home modification specialists, commercial and residential contractors, direct-to-consumers online and in big box retail stores.