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This paper proposes that people with neurological conditions can be successfully supported by smart homes only when their needs and aspirations of the technological interventions are fully understood and integrated in the design. A neurological condition can and does provide a clue to the finished technological design but this alone fails to personalise the system and stands to be rejected by the person who requires the technology. This paper explores the underlying issues of the complexity of this design process when designing for people with neurological conditions, and advances a matrix to facilitate the assessment process to maintain a person-centred design of any system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The long term support of people with neurobehavioural disorders following a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) can amount to a lifetime cost of several million dollars. Such costs are often obtained from personal injury compensation. However, those not eligible for such awards often depend on their families to provide support and care at no direct financial cost, but with indirect financial and human costs in terms of loss of productivity, and increased stress and health problems. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to examine the role of support workers in the long-term care of those with neurobehavioural deficits following severe TBI and to discuss the feasibility of meeting some aspects of their role with technological solutions. METHODS: This critical review uses observational and cost-analysis methodologies to establish the roles and costs associated with staff supporting people with neurobehavioural disorders resulting from severe TBI. RESULTS: The role of support workers is varied and includes prompting to initiate and guide simple or complex activities, promoting social behaviour and managing emotional reactions. Some of these roles can be fulfilled by existing technology. CONCLUSIONS: Cost effective care of those with long-term neurobehavioural disorders can be provided by a combination of human support and existing technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to describe policies, laws and regulations regarding the procurement of assistive technology and home modifications for individuals with disabilities in Sweden. Children up to ages 17-21 are entitled to free access to assistive technology. For adults the access is substantially subsidized with public funding. We will discuss the issues and implications of new technology, with an emphasis on assistive technology for cognitive impairment. Today, the social security system is financially burdened due to increasing demands and limited economic growth. However, the basic doctrine of the "Swedish model" remains, evoking structural and ethical issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the impact of the built environment in long-term care settings continues to grow. This article focuses on work conducted and published since 2000, when an earlier review on research on dementia and design was published. The vast majority of research that addressed neurological conditions in residents in long-term care settings (assisted living and nursing homes) relates to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To inform clinicians, caregivers and researchers involved with assessing and treating individuals with neurological disabilities of the benefits of universal design in enhancing quality of life. The improvement of quality of life has the potential to benefit the individuals with neurological disabilities and those whose lives overlap and intersect with those individuals. Methods: Literature and design reviews are used as a foundation for a model for incorporating and leveraging universal design to the benefit of the patient's social sphere, which includes caregivers, family members and medical staff. By matching patients varied abilities with universal design solutions, the model of universal design benefitting the patients' social sphere will be demonstrated. Recommendations: Recommendations are made for clinicians and researchers that they may use in their practices and investigations in three areas: 1) educating patients to the benefits of universal design, 2) helping inform patients how to leverage universally designed products and approaches in their lives and living spaces and 3) understanding how to incorporate universal design principles into research and clinical spaces as demonstration pieces for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]