Access to computers for older adults: problems and solutions.

Activity that involves a personal computer is a valuable modality for the rehabilitation of older adults. The therapist without specialized training, however, may have difficulty integrating computer use with adults with chronic health problems that impede such use. The purpose of this paper was to...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:American Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol. 45; no. 7; pp. 636 - 643
Autores principales: O'Leary S, Mann C, Perkash I
Formato: tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: American Occupational Therapy Association Jul1991
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Activity that involves a personal computer is a valuable modality for the rehabilitation of older adults. The therapist without specialized training, however, may have difficulty integrating computer use with adults with chronic health problems that impede such use. The purpose of this paper was to describe positioning, visual access, and input problems that may interfere with computer access and to identify solutions for use by the occupational therapist. Through a review of occupational therapy and adaptive computer literature, resources for adaptive computer hardware, software, and positioning devices are identified. Examples of how computer activities can be integrated into existing nursing home, day-care, and home-care programs are provided. Recommendations are made for training for the occupational therapist with limited experience with personal computers and adaptive computer technology.