Innovative Aging

Dan Walkowiak, product and market development manager at Bemis Manufacturing, joins host Carol Chiang for a candid conversation about transforming toilet safety from a clinical necessity to a driver of independence and dignity. Together, they explore how innovations like raised toilet seats, color contrast design, and integrated bidet technology can prevent falls, ease caregiver burden, and improve quality of life. You’ll hear real-world stories of patients whose social engagement and happiness were restored by simple bathroom modifications and gain practical ideas you can start using with your own patients today.Learning ObjectivesAnalyze the evidence around bathroom safety interventions in reducing falls and improving independence for individuals with mobility challenges or cognitive challengesDetermine the situations in which specific toileting and bathroom safety solutions provide the most benefit, considering patient needs, environmental factors, caregiver involvement, aesthetics, and costSolve patient case scenarios involving toileting challenges by selecting solutions that bridge the gap between clinical safety recommendations and real-life usability in home and facility settingsTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:00:05) Introduction to bathroom safety equipment(00:03:15) The importance of bathroom safety(00:06:30) Innovative solutions for bathroom safety(00:11:25) The future of bathroom technology(00:14:57) Addressing affordability in bathroom solutions(00:20:30) Safety issues with traditional toilet seats(00:26:20) The role of education in bathroom safety(00:28:45) Innovative approaches to bathroom safety(00:31:17) Funding and accessibility challenges(00:32:39) Navigating insurance and Medicare issues(00:39:00) Choosing the right equipment for patients(00:43:32) Real-life success stories(00:49:00) Key takeaways for cliniciansInnovative Aging is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Join host Carol Chiang, OTR/L, CAPS, ECHM, CHAMP, as she sits down with Robert Felgar, CEO of RAZ Mobility and former telecommunications attorney, to discuss bridging communication barriers for clients with cognitive impairment. Drawing on his extensive experience developing tailored mobile solutions for individuals with dementia, low vision, and tremors, Robert shares how simplified technology can safely extend independence and ease caregiver strain. In this episode, we unpack the cognitive demands of modern smartphones, explore adaptive options across the technology continuum, and highlight actionable remote management strategies to keep your clients connected. You will walk away with a practical framework to help families select and configure the right device before social isolation takes hold.Learning OutcomesAnalyze the evidence around cell phone use and mobile technology challenges for clients experiencing cognitive impairmentApply practical, evidence-based strategies to actionably address cell phone selection, configuration, and implementation for clients with cognitive impairmentSolve patient case scenarios involving mobile device selection and remote caregiver management for clients with cognitive impairmentTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:00:05) Intro(00:00:29) Meet Robert Felgar and RAS Mobility(00:06:03) The biggest smartphone frustrations for people with cognitive impairment(00:09:04) How simple tasks like calling 911 become complex(00:14:33) Low vision and hand tremor accessibility features(00:17:22) One-touch calling and simpler incoming calls(00:18:10) Customization and optional features(00:21:55) Remote management for caregivers(00:24:00) Scam blocking, allow lists, and text protection(00:28:04) Repetitive calling, nighttime calls, and reminders(00:33:14) Emergency calling and private dispatch(00:35:37) Explaining phone use and dementia to caregivers(00:39:30) Comparing options for phone technology(00:46:01) How to know whether a phone is a good fit(00:49:30) Funding options and pricing(00:53:52) Key takeaways for cliniciansInnovative Aging is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Join host Carol Chiang, OTR/L, CAPS, ECHM, CHAMP, as she sits down with expert occupational therapists Dawn Heiderscheidt, OTR/L, CAPS, and Sydney Marshman, OTD, OTR/L, BCG. In this episode, our guests share their extensive experience navigating the financial realities of home modifications, blending evidence-based frameworks with creative funding strategies. You will discover how to push past traditional medical models, advocate for the innate value of therapy, and build an intentional local network to actionably overcome client coverage gaps.Learning OutcomesAnalyze the evidence around the cost-efficiency of proactive home modifications and the clinical limitations of evidence-based programs or grant-funded assistance programsApply practical, evidence-based strategies to actionably address client financial barriers across varying income levels, utilizing creative funding solutions and tiered home modificationsSolve patient case scenarios utilizing community resources to optimize client-centered aging-in-place goals while considering reimbursement gapsTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:00:05) Celebrating the Innovative Aging podcast(00:00:53) The financial reality of aging in place(00:03:04) Introducing expert guests Dawn and Sydney(00:05:38) Research and cost-benefit analysis in home modifications(00:11:04) Understanding the CAPABLE and HARP models(00:18:24) Nonprofit partnerships and their challenges(00:22:55) Navigating coverage gaps in home modifications(00:26:12) Creative solutions for aging in place(00:29:14) Financial planning for home modifications(00:31:44) High-impact home modifications(00:35:50) The real-life impact of home modifications(00:41:30) Key takeaways and future directionsInnovative Aging is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Pamela E. Toto, PhD, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA, FGSA, an internationally recognized expert in gerontology and director of the University of Pittsburgh Healthy Home Laboratory, joins host Carol Chiang to explore the front lines of aging in place. Together, they discuss how a “living laboratory” is bridging the gap between clinical care and independent living by piloting smart-home technologies in real-world settings. You will discover how to apply the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model to overcome environmental barriers—like the steep stairs and cramped spaces of historic homes—while learning to intervene early to extend client autonomy. Tune in to gain actionable insights on navigating funding challenges and using modern technology solutions to optimize home safety for your older adult patients.Learning OutcomesAnalyze the evidence around the most effective solutions, including facilitators and barriers, that promote aging in placeApply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address aging in place through person-environment-occupation (PEO) modifications and smart-home technologySolve patient case scenarios involving common clinical, functional, and behavioral challenges to aging in placeTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:03:40) Background and development of guest speaker's PEO model(00:06:22) Statistics around aging in place(00:09:15) Flexible definition of “home“ as a productive starting point(00:11:35) Developing the PEO model through the OT lens(00:17:38) Collaborating to break down community silos(00:20:00) University of Pittsburgh School of Health‘s “The Hub“ project(00:23:00) Using the lab to educate the community(00:25:10) Person-centered approach to technology in the home(00:28:14) Building solutions to home hurdles, such as grabbers, chair rails, and stairs(00:39:30) Available resources for products and services(00:46:27) First steps with in-home strategies for clients(00:51:30) Financial challenges with home modifications(00:55:43) Top three takeaways(00:59:00) Q&A on developing a toolkit for in-home smart technologyInnovative Aging is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Join host Carol Chiang and Emile Maamary, cofounder of Steadiwear, as they discuss how structural engineering and earthquake-design technology are revolutionizing tremor management. You will discover the functional and psychological differences between Parkinson’s and essential tremor and how battery-free, adaptive stabilization can restore independence in high-stakes social activities like dining or self-care. This conversation explores moving beyond traditional weighted vests or medication to offer your patients a noninvasive “superpower” for daily function. Learn how these innovative tools can bridge the gap in the continuum of care to reduce social isolation and improve long-term quality of life.Learning OutcomesAnalyze the evidence around the efficacy of biomechanical stabilization and anti-vibration technologies in reducing the global burden and functional impact of essential tremor and Parkinson’s diseaseDetermine the situations in which noninvasive, battery-free wearable devices using tuned mass damping provide the most benefit for patients seeking to maintain independence in ADLs and social participationSolve patient case scenarios involving action tremors and associated secondary risks, such as social isolation, by integrating conservative stabilization tools into a multisystem continuum of careTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:00:05) Understanding the impact of tremors on daily life(00:02:25) Guest introduction(00:03:32) The differences between Parkinson's and essential tremor(00:07:20) Exploring solutions for tremor management(00:17:11) The role of technology in tremor suppression(00:20:40) A new approach to tremor management(00:31:45) Deciding which treatment is right for a patient(00:37:45) Real-world applications and success stories(00:40:55) Top three actionable takeawaysInnovative Aging is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/