WSU grad student produces video to aid senior living

A WSU graduate student has started a program that she hopes will help to promote healthy aging and eventually make a difference in communities across the United States.

Partnering with her mentor, Dr. Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe, doctoral candidate Alyssa Weakley put together a video series using approximately 70 devices that can enhance daily living, especially for older populations.

“The whole thrust of the video series was to enhance the awareness and adoption of different devices to maintain independent living,” said Weakley.

“We have all these leftover devices (from the video), so I wanted to share them with the community.”

Weakley and Schmitter-Edgecombe have put together an assistive technology-lending program. The program will be open every Tuesday from 1-4 p.m. at the Pullman Senior Center and is open to the public.

Weakley said people can come and use the devices at the open house each week, and they can even check them out for up to two weeks at a time to try them out.

Weakley said if people already have devices, the program can teach them how to use the technology and help them to understand the different ways the technology can enhance their lives.

The assistive technology-lending program began two weeks ago, and so far, Weakley said, it’s been slow.

“We just haven’t gotten the word out, but we want to expand,” she said. “The people who have come through have definitely been appreciative of what we’re doing. It’s been exciting to hear the positive feedback.”

Ultimately, Weakley wants to increase awareness and help people learn these technologies and the benefits that come along with them. She envisions the program expanding throughout the United States.

“We really want people to get the most out of this,” she said. “We want to help them through the whole process.”