Wearable Device to Assist Elderly in Ascending Stairs and Inclines

Abstract

Mobility greatly decreases with age making it difficult for older adults to remain independent and involved in the community. Isolation from the com- munity has been shown to adversely affect one’s overall quality of life, and thus, increasing an older adult’s mobility is of primary importance. Stairs are one of the most challenging obstacles because they require up to three times more torque about the knee than does walking on level ground. While this may not pose a problem for younger adults, it is sometimes impossible for the elderly. This project involves the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a wear- able device to help older adults in ascending stairs and inclines both at home and in their communities. The device, which can be worn under the cloth- ing, provides an assistive moment about the knee in the sagittal plane that is 25% of the biological torque. This assistance will make climbing stairs less strenuous without the stigma associated with more visible assistive devices.