<img height="1" width="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1124406241028611&amp;ev=PageView &amp;noscript=1">
27122
Ezra Home Care: Unwavering Support for Israel Against Hamas Terrorism and Its Backers
phone
617-527-9000
mail
info@ezrahomecare.com
facebook twitter linkedin

Ezra Home Care Supports Engineering for the Elderly

Bill Bradley had difficulties of getting out of his car. Now this task is much easier for him because he uses a special device, which is similar to the cane, with wider handles and a larger base. “The device is very helpful” – he said, “and I’m so grateful to the college kids who designed it”.

Olin college students engineer for the elderlyMany seniors have difficulties with performing even very simple tasks. Holding a newspaper with shaky hands, getting out of the car, getting off the coach – these seem-to-be-easy tasks can turn into daily challenges.

Students from Olin, Babson and Wellesley Colleges teamed up to create devices to make life easier for the elderly or people with limited mobility.

 Engineering for Humanity

Olin College’s Engineering for Humanity class was designed to inspire students and helping the community. During the course, students shadow local senior citizen volunteers and implement solutions to their specific everyday problems. 

College Students Engineer For the Elderly

The course was created to appeal both to the Olin College students who are interested in engineering  and for the Wellesley and Babson students who have a liberal arts or business background. 

We are very proud to say that Julie Bolt, the Ezra Home Care Director of Client Support, is an Academic Program Evaluator for this course.  She participates in the volunteer interview process and provides research documentation.

Solutions to the real life problems

What kind of solutions did students design?

Mabel Edwards has a back injury, so she moves mostly in her wheelchair. She has to stand while she is cooking which is not very safe for her back. Now she can remain seated while cooking thanks to a new seat that students designed for her wheelchair. “It’s been so helpful, I love it so much.”-says Edwards.

For the woman who had trouble getting up from the couch, students designed a third armrest that the women could use to hoist herself to her feet. ”We thought it was the simplest, easiest design that really fit our user.” - said one the students.

Communication is the key

Students like the course a lot. Brett Rowley, one of the students, said: “Unlike classes where you design for a teacher, here you design a real product for a person who has a real problem.”

Breauna Campbell, an Olin student who participated in designing the cane, said that she learned a lot about the older population in general, and how to observe and listen to their needs.

Friendship between senior volunteers and students was also one of the benefits from the program. Older people appreciated the attention and that their needs were heard.

This program provides a way for students and the elderly to communicate and understand each other better, which is great for building a strong community.  The Ezra Home Care team whole-heartedly supports the idea of this program and are happy to spread the word about it.

Schedule a Free Needs Assessment

Founded in 2008, Ezra Home Care offers live-in home care, 24-hour care, and hourly senior care.
All our caregivers are state-certified and provide services like personal carehousekeepingcompanionship, help with medication, and transportation assistance. We've spent 15 years refining our caregiver selection process to ensure families' peace of mind. Reach out for details and quotes.

Contact Us

or call us at 617-527-9000

You may also like to read
Is Palliative Care The Same as End-of-Life Care?
Alexander Schechter Jan 26, 2024
Is Palliative Care The Same as End-of-Life Care?

It is important to understand what are the differences between different forms of late-stage care when dealing with a serious and terminal disease. Let's discuss the specifics of palliative and end-of-life care to help you make informed decisions when the time comes. 

Read More
What is End of Life Care?
Alexander Schechter Jan 26, 2024
What is End of Life Care?

End-of-life care is an approach in healthcare that offers comfort, support, and dignity to individuals with terminal diseases. This type of care can take place in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, or even within a patient’s own home. It focuses on the specific physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of every individual as they approach the last stages of their life.

Read More
Is End-of-Life Care the Same as Hospice?
Alexander Schechter Jan 26, 2024
Is End-of-Life Care the Same as Hospice?

Making decisions about care options in the final stages of life can be overwhelming. This is why it is crucial to understand the key differences between different types of care upfront, to avoid any additional stress during a period as challenging as this one.

Read More