Research Opportunities

Study on Toilet Transfer-Related Assistive Devices and Equipment

 

Are you a caregiver (family or professional) who provides transfer assistance as a routine part of your caregiving responsibilities?

Are you an individual who currently uses an assistive device for toileting and transfers, and wish something was different about it?

Please help Georgia Tech researchers develop devices and technologies that will make toileting/toilet transfers easier and safer for caregivers and care recipients with disabilities.

A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation (NIDILRR) is conducting interviews and observations to understand how family caregivers and recipients currently navigate toileting/transferring. We want to understand strategies used and challenges encountered, so that new possibilities for products, devices, and technologies can be identified.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to participate:

  • Care recipients must be 55 or older (no age requirements for caregiver).
  • Caregiver must provide hands-on transfer assistance as a routine part of their caregiving responsibilities.
  • Caregiver or care recipient must have experience using at least one form of transfer-related assistive device/equipment (e.g. grab bars, raised toilet seats, 3-in-1 commode).

Study Expectations

  • The study consists of a home visit (approximately 2 hours) that will involve questionnaires and observation of transferring activities and setup. No unclothing will be involved.
  • Both caregiver and care recipient must be willing to participate.
  • Qualified participants will be compensated for their time ($50 per visit per person, pending successful completion of required tasks).

For more information, please contact Susan Lee at su.lee@design.gatech.edu or 404.385.2632. Alternatively, you can fill out this form to arrange a time for a researcher to contact you about the study.