The Reporter (Lansdale, PA)

White Horse Village residents instrument­al in developmen­t of an innovative mobility device

- By White Horse Village

White Horse Village, an active senior living community in Edgmont Township, Delaware County, offering a range of living options and a continuum of healthcare services, announced a new innovative program featuring Zeen, a unique mobility assistive device developed by Exokinetic­s Inc. of West Chester.

Several White Horse Village residents participat­ed in a trial program to evaluate the new device and provide feedback on performanc­e and functional­ity.

The product concept for the Zeen originated at White Horse Village, where the mother of Exokinetic­s’s CEO Garret Brown resided.

“I observed how challengin­g walkers and wheelchair­s are to maneuver,” Brown said. “In search of a dignified alternativ­e, I began working on the Zeen mobility device.”

The lightweigh­t, folding Zeen uses proprietar­y lifting and caster technology to help users get around with confidence. Neither a walker nor a wheelchair, the Zeen effortless­ly moves to standing, walking and barstool heights and gently lowers to become a comfortabl­e chair.

People with reduced mobility can get back on their feet and even transition to coasting, or Zeen-ing, while the saddle/seat-belt combo keeps their weight stabilized and centered.

Exokinetic­s’s partnershi­p with White Horse Village began in 2013 and has been instrument­al to the Zeen developmen­t process. Residents began testing early prototypes in 2015 and offered valuable

“I observed how challengin­g walkers and wheelchair­s are to maneuver. In search of a dignified alternativ­e, I began working on the Zeen mobility device.”

— Garret Brown, CEO Exokinetic­s Inc.

feedback to improve the design. The pre-production model of the Zeen arrived on campus this year for resident evaluation and testing.

“Our residents have been very interested in participat­ing in the Zeen device trial,” said Tonya Costley-Stilts, director of resident life. “They received extensive training from Exokinetic­s staff and were tasked to evaluate specific features of the Zeen to provide final feedback on the design.”

 ?? COURTESY OF WHITE HORSE VILLAGE ?? Petra Rose, Zeen physical therapy advisor, guides Joyce Veitch to a standing position using the Zeen mobility device.
COURTESY OF WHITE HORSE VILLAGE Petra Rose, Zeen physical therapy advisor, guides Joyce Veitch to a standing position using the Zeen mobility device.
 ?? COURTESY OF WHITE HORSE VILLAGE ?? Petra Rose, Zeen physical therapy advisor, provides a Zeen demonstrat­ion with White Horse Village resident Michael Belej.
COURTESY OF WHITE HORSE VILLAGE Petra Rose, Zeen physical therapy advisor, provides a Zeen demonstrat­ion with White Horse Village resident Michael Belej.
 ?? COURTESY OF WHITE HORSE VILLAGE ?? The Zeen mobility device.
COURTESY OF WHITE HORSE VILLAGE The Zeen mobility device.

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