When traction aids are worn within cities they are an effective method to keep seniors safe in the winter.
Unfortunately, current traction aids were designed for active individuals in rural settings. As a result, they are ill suited for seniors within in cities - they need to be removed once indoors. In addition, the strength needed for traction aid installation is prohibitively high. Meaning the demographic that could benefit the most (Seniors), are also the least likely demographic to use them.
Falls, which often leads to hip injuries in old age, can have a profound effect on life expectancy. Alternatively, a fear of falling keep seniors housebound for long periods of time, which can result in mental health issues and a diminished quality of life.
- Karen Treleavan | Geriatric Physiotherapy
While it's challenging for a healthy individual, it's almost impossible for someone with muscle weakness, arthritis or tremors.
Try walking on a tile or wooden floor with traction aids. It's like walking on ice with slippers.
Running three errands means finding three seats to remove and install traction aids three times. It's no wonder traction are rarely used in cities.
The mechanism was refined to allow button access at the heel.
Simplified to automatically reattach once user steps down.
User testing insights were used to drive prototype development.
User experience, cognitive load and ergonomics were the main factors found to affect adoption by seniors. Each mechanism iteration was refined to attain the most seamless interaction to ensure usability by a large range of seniors with a diverse set of capabilities.
MANUFACTURED FOR ACCESSIBILITY
ACCESSIBLE SAFETY FOR VULNERABLE USERS IN THE WINTER
Lynx Grips streamlines and improves the traction aid removal and installation process, which is often too physically challenging for seniors or persons with disabilities to accomplish. The simplified and ergonomically improved method gives vulnerable users the opportunity to venture outside in the winter safely with confidence, improving quality of life dramatically.
ACIDO ROCKET SHOW 2014