Terrain Rehab Mats

Abstract

The current invention, Terrain Rehab Mats, consist of three portable mats that are intended to simulate outdoor terrain for the express use of the rehabilitation of older adults at risk for falls. The three mats each have a distinct top layer consisting of either, concrete, gravel or grass and then two substrate layers forming one solid layer. Terrain Rehab Mats provide older adults with much needed exposure to outdoor terrain which can often be problematic for older adults with impaired balance and gait. While the current therapeutic tools available offer a variety of tools and equipment, none are known to incorporate outdoor terrain as in this invention. The Terrain Rehab Mats will be used in a variety of rehabilitation settings and with older adults who have a wide range of diagnoses which increases their effectiveness as a rehabilitative tool.

Description

BACKGROUND

According to the CDC Injury Center, more than 20,000 older adults died from injuries related to unintentional falls in 2009. In 2010 over 2.3 million older adults were treated in the ER for fall related injuries and more 650,000 older adults were hospitalized. Besides the physical injuries and death associated with these incidents, the fear of falling often results in a self-restricted, diminished lifestyle which contributes to a lower quality of life. As a result, many fall prevention campaigns have been initiated to educate older adults on risks and to provide recommendations to include physical therapy.

Rehabilitation of older adults plays a key role in fall prevention. This invention provides for portable mats designed to provide typical, outdoor terrain for use in a rehabilitation setting with a therapist. While some elderly are homebound and suffer falls within the home, others who are not suffer falls outside of the home in various surroundings and terrains

The current therapeutic equipment provide ways to challenge balance and gait as seen in balance beams, balance boards, balance discs and wobble boards; however none of the current equipment take outdoor terrain into consideration, provide a simulated outdoor environment, or present typical outdoor terrain as in this present invention. While some therapy provided to patients includes practice in outdoor settings, this can be limiting. Some rehabilitation settings simply do not offer this due to time or distance restraints and excluding such exposure can be detrimental to overall safety and ambulation. The mats will provide safe exposure to typical outdoor terrain with supervision of therapist. Since the mats will be used under the discretion of therapist, the mats can be used with older adults who have one or more physical limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides for portable mats that can be used with patients that are at risk for falls in variety of settings such as home health care, outpatient clinic, skilled nursing facility or hospital. Additionally, they can be used within parallel bars for those with decreased gait or balance or on top of ramps or inclines for those with a steadier gait or balance for a greater challenge. The goal of this invention is to provide a key rehabilitative tool that will give strategies for physical therapy, fall prevention, and provide for a more meaningful rehabilitation experience.

This invention consists of three rectangular mats: (1) gravel, (2) concrete and (3) grass. Each mat will have three layers, a top, middle and lower laminated together. Each mat will have a different top layer and two additional substratum layers. The gravel mat will consist of a homogeneous top layer of pea gravel. The concrete mat will consist of a homogeneous top layer of concrete with slight cracks and imperfections. The grass mat will consist of homogeneous top layer of artificial grass.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plane view of each of the three mats detailing the surface materials each for each.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the three mats with top, middle and bottom layers separated.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one of three mats.

FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of one of the three mats with laminated layers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring to detailed drawings in FIG. 1 (2A, 2B, 2C), shows a picture representation of the materials used in the top layers for each of respective mats. The concrete mat is reflected in 2A, the grass in reflected in 2B, and gravel is reflected in 2C. As seen in FIG. 2, a perspective view of one of mat 2A from FIG. 1 with three conjoined layers distinct and separated. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of mat 2B seen in FIG. 1. Finally FIG. 4 is a detailed, cross-sectional view of mat 2B seen in FIG. 1.

The concrete mat seen as 2A in FIG. 1 will consist of thin slab of concrete which has slight cracks running through slab. The concrete is used to simulate sidewalks, driveways and entry ways which often times can crack and pose a risk for elderly patients. The concrete will adhere to substrate using silicone caulk/cement. The second substrate layer under concrete will be wire mesh material seen in 11 of FIG. 2. The third substrate of concrete mat will be sprayed on rubber layer seen in 10 of FIG. 2. The rubber will provide safe, non-slip contact with floor surface.

The grass mat seen in 2B of FIG. 1 will have top layer of artificial grass. The artificial grass is used to simulate lawns and yards in which the elderly ambulate to and from different surfaces. The artificial grass will adhere to substrate using adhesive tape or acrylic glue as seen in 4 of FIG. 4. The substrate seen in 11 of FIG. 4 will consist of heavy duty coarse linen material. The third substrate of 10 seen in FIG. 3 will be sprayed on rubber.

The gravel mat seen in 2C of FIG. 1 will have top layer of bulk pea gravel. The pea gravel is used to simulate driveways, and more natural, park like environments. The pea gravel will be adhered to substrate using spray on adhesive. The second substrate will be heavy duty coarse linen material. The third substrate will be sprayed on rubber as seen in 10 of FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A key rehabilitative tool consisting of three rectangular, terrain mats each consisting of unique top layers (1.gravel, 2. artificial grass, 3. concrete) used to simulate outdoor terrain. a. Each terrain mat consists of distinct top layer and two additional substrate layers laminated together forming one solid mat.b. Each terrain mat will have a second substrate layer of either heavy duty coarse linen or wire mesh.c. Each terrain mat will have a third substrate layer of sprayed on rubber.d. Each terrain mat will be laminated together using one or more the following adhesives: silicone caulk/cement, sprayed on adhesive, adhesive tape/acrylic glue.

2. The terrain mats will be safe with non-skid rubber backing and used in safe environment under strict direction of physical therapist for rehabilitation purposes.

3. The terrain mats will be used for education, fall prevention, and enrichment of older adults who are at risk for falls.