Over the last decade more convincing evidences
are indicating that isolation leads to increased morbidity and
mortality. This becomes a major concern when considering the status
of frail seniors who no longer have the ability to freely commute
nor to remain part of the main stream of family and community
life. Objectives: The PACE 2000 International Foundation's mandate
is to produce "Programs for the Autonomy and Communication
for the Elderly". PACE 2000 programmed and adapted a video
conferencing equipment for the needs of private users, particularly
for frail seniors and individuals with disabilities. The "personal
mode VC station" is geared at everyday use by home bound
individuals who need no prior technical experience.
Subjects: Over the past four years, the participants
of VC sessions were essentially:- seniors in their eighties and
nineties, residents of Long Term Care institutions (Centre d'accueil
Champlain, and the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre),
- single retirees in their seventies living in their home, - newly
landed immigrants (Reception house, Catholic Immigration Centre),
and - students enrolled in the physiotherapy program , social
sciences & psychology programs, University of Ottawa (Joan
Mc Comas,PT,PhD; Philippe Cappeliez, PhD.) and high school students
(Almonte District High School, Rideau High school, Nepean High
school).
Material & Methods: PACE 2000 conducted
3 surveys - in 1997 (56 participants) - winter 1998-1999 (60 participants)
- 2001 (67 participants in long term VC programs), 2 evaluations
of intergenerational educational programs in a virtual classroom
and one medical trial for the follow up of seniors in their home
after orthopaedic surgery. Results show excellent ratings in the
VC communication in a room setting, the importance of intergenerational
coordinators in the success of a VC program, and the potential
for multiple applications for home bound users. Cross-cultural
and recreational programs usually require 2-4 sessions before
optimum involvement, whereas physiotherapy coaching and tele-home
follow up generate immediate receptivity and compliance. Conclusions:
Simplified Video Conferencing stations for home users could become
an indispensable adjunct of supportive housing for seniors and
of Long Term Care services.
To be presented at the 4th Annual Meeting
of the Canadian Society of Telehealth, on October 22, 2001, Toronto,
Canada ("e-volving Telehealth, the Next Level").
CUSTOMIZED TELE-HEALTH VIDEO
CONFERENCING SYSTEMS
FOR USE BY HOME BOUND SENIORS:
Instrumentation and Reliability.
Introduction:
The PACE 2000 International Foundation provides home bound seniors
with a real-time video-conferencing (VC) link to health centers
and to various community organizations. Two VC modules were designed
by PACE 2000: A VideoConference-Based
Goniometer (VCBG), (see
definition of goniometer below) as part of a hospital VC module,
and a personal mode, with customized video-display set up and
simplified access for frail seniors, people with disabilities
and persons who have no computer experience.
VCBG was created to measure range of motion
(ROM) via VC, thereby facilitating rehabilitation in a home setting.
Description of
instrumentation:
The PACE 2000 VC equipment consists of
a personal computer, a hardware codec, a PACE 2000 interface
design, an integrated camera and microphone, and a large, easy-to-use
trackball especially designed for seniors with arthritis.
The Hospital module shares the same functions
as the Personal module, in addition to the use of the VCBG. A
file for each participant is created on the Hospital data base
prior to testing. Once the subject is placed in the proper position,
the image is captured on screen by the computer. Angle measurements
are done by loading these images on-screen. Once the landmarks
are identified, the PACE 2000 unit automatically measures the
joint angle.
Results:
The Personal module is readily accepted by frail seniors and fosters
compliance to medical follow up. PACE 2000's VCBG proves to be
a highly reliable tool when taken within or between therapists.
Conclusions:
In an aging population with a three fold increase in physiotherapy
needs just over the past year in the Ottawa area, rehabilitation
and home-based video conferencing may become inseparable for the
years to come.
To be presented at the 4th Annual Meeting
of the Canadian Society of Telehealth, October 23, 2001, Toronto,
Canada ("e-volving Telehealth, the Next Level").
The Universal Goniometer, (a 360
degree baseline plastic protractor with arm lengths of 18 cm)
is most commonly used in clinical settings.