Today there are many solutions that help older adults up from the ground. Many are passive, operated by caregivers like patient lifts and quite a humiliating experience. A research participant pointed out to us that she felt like a "piece of meat" and how it was rather "humiliating". Upstå provides a dignifying experience that relies on the older adult's own strength and independence. Since the force is pushing down rather than pulling up, it leverages muscle groups that remain strong longer. Also, Upstå supports the desire to get down to the ground: to play with grandkids, do physical therapy exercises or be outside and garden like before. Upstå gives back freedom. It's empowering, confidence instilling and elegant.
Upstå - empowering everyone to access the floor with confidence
Upstå empowers people with physical impairment to safely reach the ground and get up again with confidence and in style.
Who is your idea designed for and how does it enable older adults to live their best possible life by preventing falls?
Upstå is for people with minor physical impairment who are independent but less fluid when it comes to lowering themselves to the ground and getting up again. The device encourages users to keep using muscle groups and stay stronger by not avoiding the floor. Upstå invites people to get up from the ground in a safe way because the spine is stacked correctly. It also supports the intermediary positions where people naturally take pauses.









What early, lightweight experiment might you try out in your own community to find out if the idea will meet your expectations?
We've prototyped a range of forms and had over 20 people with varying degrees of physical impairment try out Upstå. Their feedback has been tremendously positive. With their help we've settled on this current form. It's been incredibly rewarding to witness the smiles people have on their faces when they reach the ground and then come up again by themselves all independently!What skills, input, or guidance from the OpenIDEO community would be most helpful in building out or refining your idea?
We are looking for input whether we should continue with this B2C or B2B2C version of the product, or if we should focus on B2B, an institutional version that provides older adults in independent living facilities a more dignifying way to get off the ground when they fall without an injury. It helps reduce cost by reducing 911 calls, protects workers/caregivers from back injuries/lifting and enables older adults to possibly help each other, rather than involving a caregiver.How long has your idea existed?
- Over 1 year
This idea emerged from
- A student collaboration
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Kate Rushton
Kate Rushton
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