The Hardest Part of the House

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich built a soft exosuit that helps people rise from a chair. Ten older adults, aged 69 to 85, with weakened legs tested it. With the suit on, they managed up to four more sit-to-stand cycles in a minute, and each cycle got up to 21.9 percent faster. Walking took less effort too, 14 percent on average. It is a prototype and a small study, and there is nothing to buy.

The number families should notice is a different one. Participants rated their sense of control above 6 out of 7. That matters, because help that feels like being handled gets refused.

Standing up comes before the bathroom, the kitchen and the front door. When it fails, a caregiver's back takes the load, many times a day, and that is how a lot of home arrangements quietly end. A device that gives the stand back to the person also gives it back to the family.

We will watch for a larger trial and a price. The first move of the day is the one that counts.