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Smart technology for aging, disability and independence : the state of the science
Mann W., Wiley-Interscience, New York, NY, 2005. 379 pp. Type: Book (9780471696940)
Date Reviewed: Dec 27 2005

The objective of this book is to provide a readable and current description of specific assistive technologies and general living environments for the elderly. The book’s editor is clearly up to this demographically timely task; he has spent many years studying, researching, experimenting in, writing about, developing curricula for, and directing efforts in this multidisciplinary area. The editor directs the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology for Successful Aging at the University of Florida. He wrote the first chapter, an overview, and co-wrote the second chapter, a discussion of smart houses, with a professional architect, Bradley Milton. PhD students studying in the center that Mann directs wrote the rest of the chapters. Perhaps with Mann’s guidance and editing, they too have done an outstanding job.

Perhaps because of my ignorance in this field, I benefited most from Mann’s first chapter, which covers the results of many surveys. One survey says that the elderly’s top problem is the complexity or absence of health insurance. Another notes that the elderly most missed watching sports. Still another said that the elderly who have and use computers are happy about them although, less surprisingly, further questioning elicited many suggestions for improvements. Mann introduces a continual theme of the book: the importance of involving the elderly in any efforts to research or to develop technology for them.

The rest of the book is divided into two parts. The first covers “Smart Technology for Aging, Disability, and Independence.” Chapter 2, “Home Automation and Smart Environments to Support Independence,” presents the state of the art for smart houses in which computers track people and people’s behaviors, recognize voices, and interpret data. Chapter 3, “Robotics,” discusses assistive robots, including exoskeletons (primarily from Japan) that help the elderly walk, and other technologies that assist care-takers. Carnegie Mellon’s forecast of the inclusion of robots in the elderly’s daily life is at least a decade in the future. Chapter 4, “Other Devices and High Technology Solutions,” covers more assistive devices, such as vision aids, talking barcode readers, medicine reminders, and global positioning system (GPS) locators. Carnegie Mellon is working on a project c!alled HUG that would offer the elderly an easy and appropriate tactile interface for telephone communication. Chapter 5, “Telehealth,” discusses the dispensing of medical help and conducting monitoring at a distance, using a variety of telecommunications systems and end-user devices. Virtual reality (VR) therapy at the edge of the state of the art can provide the elderly with realistic therapy at a distance. On top of the fascinating technical challenges and accomplishments, there are conflicting legal and financial issues with health providers’ licenses and insurance coverage.

The next part covers “Related Aspects of Aging, Disability, and Independence.” The chapters in this part relate to policy and practice; they are less technical but no less important. Chapter 6, “Basic Assistive Technology,” addresses canes, wheelchairs, and other devices that cry out for innovative engineering solutions. Many of these are purchased directly by the elderly rather than with insurance. Chapter 7, “Elder Drivers and Technology,” talks about the importance to the elderly of being able to drive safely. Better cars, roads, training procedures, simulators, and trainers hold a highly uncertain promise. Few elderly drivers take advantage of the technologies that are already in cars: their interfaces appear too difficult. If the elderly live long beyond their ability and desire to drive, what technologies can help them remain mobile? Chapter 8, “Transportation and Community Mobility,” di!scusses more devices and approaches to aid mobility. These devices include handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs), including GPS devices and smart cards. Chapter 9, “Home Modifications and Universal Design,” and chapter 10,“ Injury Prevention and Health Promotion,” talk about changes you can make to your home environment to prevent injury.

While this is not a computer book, it clearly is an important book for all computer science students and professionals to read. Computer science can be extremely important to the elderly, by way of almost all of the technologies that the book describes. Many of us, as computer science teachers, will need to know about technologies that include sensors, voice recognition, and GPS, in the context of increasingly important applications that support the elderly. Our students will work for companies that develop, sell, and service these technologies. We will all be their beneficiaries.

Reviewer:  A. Kellerman Review #: CR132204 (0611-1138)
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