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Older
People and New Technologies
around the World
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Issues
and World Health
Issues
Africa
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Americas
& Caribbean
Quebec:
DVD for Caregivers of People With
Alzheimer’s (November 28, 2011)
(Article
in French)
The Alzheimer’s Society of Quebec is
selling a DVD to assist relatives of
people with Alzheimer's disease. In eleven
scenes, a total of 23 minutes, caregivers
for the 120,000 people living in Quebec
with Alzheimer's receive tips and advice
on everyday situations so they can better
manage and maintain a harmonious
relationship with their patient. Proceeds
from the sale will be donated to
l’Intemporel Day Centre that supports
people with Alzheimer's disease.
Canada: Senior’s
Death Reignites Debate about GPS
Bracelets (January 13, 2011)
Montreal is rethinking its plan to give
GPS bracelets to nursing home residents
suffering from Alzheimer’s. This comes in
the wake of an Alzheimer’s patient’s death
after wandering from his seniors’
residence. Supporters of the GPS
initiative hope it will facilitate the
search for lost Alzheimer’s patients.
Critics of the GPS plan warn that it will
give a false sense of security.
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Asia Pacific
Japan:
RIBA
II:
Japanese
Robot
to
Help
Older
Persons (August 18, 2011)
(Article
in French)
Japan is the country with the highest
longevity rate, especially among women.
That is why a new robot has just been
created to improve life of both Japanese
seniors and persons who take care of them.
This robot will be able to lift an 80 kg
(176-pound) person and bring her or him to
a bed or wheel chair.
Japan:
Keeping Seniors Healthy : Not Your
Grandson's Video Game (January 29, 2011)
In Japan, it is common that many older
persons gather to play video games in the
Kumamoto Prefecture town. An increasing
number of social sevice facilities are
using video games to rehabilitate and
maintain the health of older people. Some
local governments are even developing game
software so that video games that will
help older people restore or maintain
their physical and mental functions as
well as social skills. Experts suggest
that hands-on games are effective for
rehabilitation if they are used properly.
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Europe and
Central Asia
France:
A Simulator of Old Age to Get Into
Senior’s Skin (December 2, 2011)
(Article
in French)
The IPAD (Institute of Prevention of
Domestic Accidents) introduced equipment
to recreate sensations felt by the elderly
at the Salon of Human Services. For
example, a pair of glasses mimics optical
problems caused by cataracts or glaucoma,
and an implant simulates the effects of
osteoarthritis. The purpose of this
simulator is to enable people working with
seniors to understand the disabilities
associated with old age so they can treat
them more efficiently.
Russia:
Stavropol Retirees Explore Space
(November 25, 2011)
(Article
in Russian)
A new faculty of astronomy based at the
University of the “Third Age” welcomed
retirees and people with disabilities to
do virtual space travel to observe solar
eclipses and other secrets of the
universe. A newly developed computer
program allowed the organization to
accommodate the new students. Read the
article to learn more about the program.
France :
Huguette Net: Senior Expert of Online
Price Comparison (September 28, 2011)
(Article
in French)
More and more older persons buy products
on the Internet, but they don’t always
think about using online price comparison
websites. Enter comparer.fr’s initiative
to introduce its new muse, Huguette Net,
to “silver surfers.” The 60-year-old very
informed Internet user advises seniors on
their cyber shopping and provides many
tools such as e-mail addresses and guides
for searching the Internet. Expert surfers
can also check for good deals on the
facebook page.
Russia:
In Volgograd, Social Services will Teach
Old People to Communicate in Russian
Social Network (September 6, 2011)
(Article
in Russian)
The central social service in Volgograd
notes that teaching old people how to use
computers is not enough today. Now the
service is beginning new programs of
teaching pensioners how to create accounts
in a social network, send messages,
download pictures and learn other skills.
The main task is to help the elderly to
maintain and extend their social networks
because many of them feel alone as they
age. One hundred and eighty older people
have already registered for this program.
Russia:
Local Government in Omsk Region will
Spend 4.5 million Rubles to Create
Internet Clubs for Old People (September
5, 2011)
(Article
in Russian)
The local government in Omsk region
decided to spend 4.5 million rubles to
create a network of internet clubs to
teach old people how to work with
computers. During these classes pensioners
will get basic knowledge about computers,
Ms Word and Ms Powerpoint. Also they will
learn how to use search engines and
emails.
France: The Flat of
the Future for Older Persons (August 3,
2011)
(Article
in French)
To improve well-being and independence of
older persons, new technologies are more
and more applied to accommodations.
A French exhibition is displaying new
technologies that use baseboards to
incorporate heat and lighting systems;
also on display are new flooring options
including anti-slip surfaces; toilets with
hot water spray to facilitate wiping and
more.
France: “Valso”: A
Pitcher and a Glass for Older Persons
(July 6, 2011)
(Article
in French)
Two designers from the Ecole Normale
Superieure de Cachan designed a pitcher
and a drinking glass adapted for older and
disabled persons to overcome grip
problems. The design function allows a
person to grip, hold, lift and pour from
the pitcher to the glass using a simple
motion, benefitting from a design that is
better than regular paramedical tools.
France
:
ASIPAG
Launches
a
Category
Relating
to
Uses
of
Technology
for
Autonomy (January 17, 2011)
(Article in
French)
The Association of Innovative Solutions
for Autonomy and Gerontechnology has
announced it will develop a "Category
relating to Uses of Technology for
Autonomy" based on a collaboration
between utility and user expectations.
This category should enable users to
rely on quality standards and also allow
industries to differentiate themselves
in the market.
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Middle East
and North Africa
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Global
World: Nielson:
Older People Increasingly Favor Tablet
PCs. (August 30, 2011)
(Article
in Chinese)
According to market research firm
Nielsen’s latest survey, because tablet
PCs are light and portable, and the font
size easily adjustable, they are much
favored by older people.
World: A
Revolutionary Cane for Older Persons
(July 11, 2011)
(Article
in French)
Lithuanian designer Egle Ugintaite has
created a revolutionary cane that helps
people to walk. This tool helps older
persons walk the same way as any other
cane, but it also states the health of the
person (temperature, blood pressure, and
pulse) and programs the best itinerary
both in cities and the countryside.
Finally, it is equipped with an SOS button
on the handle to provide the person’s
location in case of an emergency.
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