University of Rochester has invented a method of creating a super hydrophobic surface.  This will have many sanitation applications for the future home.  I love that this will reduce the need of water in toilet use in countries where water is so very precious.

They began by making surfaces that attract water through the laser design of the surface.  They then applied the technology to create a surface that repels water.  The applications for both technologies in our world are nearly endless.

I frequently suggest the purchase of motion detected lighting for my patients.  Frequently people tell me “I have lived here so long, I know where everything is.”  I am concerned, however,  with the challenge to the balance that a low lighting environment poses.  As we grow older we depend more on our vision to give us feedback about our body alignment in comparison to our environment.  Our proprioception can become reduced due to arthritis and lack of activity.  Our inner ear can become overly sensitive due to a lack of mobility.  Medications can further effect our balance.  Lighting enhances our ability to improve safety with compensation through our vision.

I frequently run into housing with poorly placed light switches in relation to furniture.  Lamps purchased for decoration often provide less than ideal light for movement in the rooms.  People who rely on walkers may lose balance as they take a hand away from the walker during movement.  Motion detected lighting in strategic places may improve safety in entryways, laundry rooms, closets, bathrooms and on steps.

I have suggested the outlet based motion detected light by GE and it is usually found in the “light bulb” section of larger stores.  It sells for about 10.00.

We place them in our garage, basement darkened areas, bathrooms, and hallways.

I recently saw a product that shows great promise.  I will try this soon on steps to the basement.  It makes a lot of sense as our electrical switch box is in the basement and these battery operated, motion detected lights would solve more than one safety concern.

https://www.buyunderlight.com

Years ago I worked in a Rehabilitation Department and on Fridays we took some of our patients out into the community to assess their abilities in the alternate settings. I learned a lot about myself and my perceptions of safety during these outings.  I can recall taking a gentleman that had worked on ambulation without any assistive devices to a department store and found areas lacking in his ability that I had not anticipated.  It seems that when two people are walking toward one another, each expects the other to give a little of the pathway. When someone has physical challenges they may not be able to make this adjustment quickly enough and it feels as though the other person is trying to run them over.  That experience taught me to have respect for challenges in the community that are more difficult to train for in the home.

I was working on gait training (walking) with a patient yesterday and I thought “Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a device that I could place about 80 feet out in front of us that would project a lane onto the floor that could help me in giving her direction.”  In my concept of this  I would be able to narrow the lane or widen it dependent on the desired challenge level.  Then I took that idea further – “Wouldn’t it be nice if I could ask for projected obstacles to pop up randomly so I could challenge her reaction.”

The technology is here, if not just on the horizon.  I have seen a couple of moves in this direction lately.  One is a keyboard that is projected onto a surface. (see link)http://www.brookstone.com/laser-projection-virtual-keyboard

Another application is in a concept light system for the some of the “future cars”. ( see link – http://www.pddnet.com/news/2015/01/bmw-unveils-new-driver-assistance-systems-ces.       One application of this type of smart light system is the projection a walkway onto the road in front of the car to show a pedestrian  that you are aware of them and that you are waiting for them to cross. Another application is a projection of light beams that shows the width of your car against an opening in the road so you can evaluate if you have enough clearance for passage.

In homecare we use what we have around us and one of the resources we often lack is assistance.  We don’t have someone around that can help create more challenging  situations while we keep our eyes and hands on the patient.  A tool that could fit in my pocket but communicate with my smart phone to create these interesting and challenging treatments would be worth a great deal.