For people with disabilities or people recovering from an illness or injury, assistive technology is often a game-changer. Not only can it help with daily tasks, but it can also improve their quality of life.
That’s the idea behind Assist+, a new demonstration space for assistive technology at UPMC Mercy Pavilion. As an example of the power of assistive technology, Mitch Bell points to a patient he met who was recovering from a stroke.
The man was an avid video game player who could no longer play since his stroke. So his physical therapist at UPMC Mercy introduced him to Mitch, the rehab innovation specialist in UPMC’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
“After his stroke, he only had some function in his right hand,” Mitch says. “For a video game controller, you’re using both hands and all your fingers. So he hadn’t played in a year or two.”
After meeting with the patient, Mitch did some research. He discovered he could use 3D printing technology to create an adaptive controller for the man.
“This is probably about $3 in plastic to print, and we have a 3D printer,” Mitch says. “So, it’s something where he hasn’t played games in two years, but after trying this, it worked perfectly for him.”
Assist+, which opened in May, will allow patients to try out assistive technologies. Through the space, people may find technology that can help them.
“We want to see it just become a really good resource for UPMC and for the community, a place where they come to learn about all those assistive technology products,” Mitch says.
Developing an Idea
Assist+ began as a UPMC Enterprises venture to create an assistive technology space. Mitch came to UPMC in 2022, and part of his job responsibilities included the planning of what became Assist+.
“When I came in, they just had the rough idea,” he says. “My role was to work through everything. So, setting it up, how’s it going to function, what products we’re going to have, how we’re going to help patients.”
Mitch is an assistive technology professional, and before coming to UPMC, he worked with a wheelchair supply company. There, he would work with people with disabilities to help them select and use a wheelchair that would work for them.
Assist+ became a similar idea.
Patients with disabilities whose physicians recommend assistive technology can try various devices at Assist+. That way, they know if the product works for them before they purchase it.
“The idea is that now, if they talk about some of these products upstairs, they can visit down here, actually see some of the products, and get to try them hands-on,” Mitch says.
“Everything’s out of the box. We can help them find items that would be helpful for them, which sizes, or what things to consider.”
Assistive technology is often expensive. So, Mitch also works with patients to research grants and other resources to help pay for the items. That way, they can get items that they otherwise couldn’t afford.
Many Products to Try
Assist+ isn’t a large space. But it packs a lot into a small area.
When Assist+ opened, it held around 70 assistive technology items. The collection includes video game controllers, gardening tools, and kitchen and dining tools, among others. There are products for people with poor vision, books about disability, and “anything that we find cool,” Mitch says.
Mitch is always in the market for new products to add to the collection. He asks providers about what products they recommend to their patients. If he sees a patient using assistive technology, he’ll ask them about it.
“A lot of the providers that I work with, they’ll still email me stuff if they find new things,” Mitch says. “I’m always looking online to see what’s new and what’s out there.”
Mitch also works with assistive technology manufacturers themselves.
“They like the idea of the space because you can’t try these things in stores, and it’s a pretty niche market,” he says. “They don’t typically have places for people to try. So if they have some new things, they’re always letting us know and sending us some stuff.”
Mitch developed an inventory of assistive technology items at Assist+ and other UPMC facilities. If a provider at another UPMC location wants their patient to try out an item from Assist+, they can request it. And if another location has a technology that Mitch wants to try with a patient at Assist+, he can request it.
Mitch is also working on a grant to develop a process for virtual Assist+ visits.
“The goal is that different hospitals, if they’re working with a patient that wants to learn about products, they can just video call in,” Mitch says. “We can walk them through some of the stuff we have and some resources out there.”
Helping Patients Meet Their Goals
Assist+ is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Patients can walk in, but appointments are recommended. Patients can email assistplus@upmc.edu or call 878-261-6361 to schedule an appointment.
Mitch works with each patient to discuss their specific needs and researches technologies that can help them.
“We kind of talk about what goals they’re looking to meet and what activities they want to do,” he says. “And then we can look at some products we have or look online to see what’s out there and hopefully get them a good recommendation.”
The benefit of Assist+ for patients is learning about products that can help them and getting to try them out.
“We see a lot with patients, and even with providers,” Mitch says. “There have been studies that they want to discuss more assistive technology or assistive devices, but they either don’t have the time or there are no resources to learn about them. So, the idea is to show them what’s out there and help them go through that process.”
The Assist+ collection ranges from items that patients may need for activities of daily living to items related to hobbies. Both of them can help improve patients’ quality of life.
“There’s a ton of stuff out there for recreation, or hobbies, or things that they do at home, and it’s hard to find out about those products,” Mitch says.
“One of the other challenges is that they can be expensive because it’s such a small market. So, a space like this where we can order something a bit more expensive but take it to any of our UPMC locations or anywhere in Pittsburgh makes it easier for them to see if it’s going to work first. And then we can also help with the funding side, too, finding some resources for them.”
Improving Patients’ Lives
Assist+ opened in May 2024, but the commitment to helping patients with disabilities dates back many years at UPMC. And it will remain strong into the future.
Mitch says he hopes Assist+ can become a valuable resource for patients and physicians alike.
He’s also hoping to add even more items to the Assist+ collection. He has a budget he works from, along with grant money, fundraising, and donations.
Mitch says that for him, success is helping patients discover technology that can help improve their lives.
“It’s finding those products and the patients like the gamer, where they haven’t discovered something before and get really excited learning about some other products,” he says. “It helps them have a positive outlook on their progression and what they want to do in the future.”