Supporting Independent Living (doc)

Supporting Independent Living

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1: Explain how technology can be used to support users of health and social care services in
living independently....................................................................................................................3
1.2: Analyze barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care
services in living independently..................................................................................................4
1.3: Explain the benefits of these technologies to health and social care organisations and their
users.............................................................................................................................................4
PART 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1: Explain health and safety considerations in the use of technologies in health and social
care..............................................................................................................................................5
2.2: Discuss ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies.....................................6
2.3 Explain the impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health and
social care services, organisations and care workers..................................................................7
PART 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1: Identify Jane’s specific needs in order to support Jane to live independently.....................8
3.2: Make your own recommendations on how the Technology might support her independent
living arrangements.....................................................................................................................8
3.3 Evaluate the usefulness of technology for Jane and also for other users of health and social
care services................................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Technology is very important in health and social care because it helps various
individuals who are suffering from several dirty diseases. Assistive devices are very useful
because it changes the lifestyle of individuals in positive or negative ways. These technical
devices also supports the health and social care services in effective manner so that individuals
can done their daily activities in proper manner. This assignment is based on two case studies of
Sally and Jane who are suffering from vision and heart problems. This report will discuss about
the use of technology for supporting the users of health and social care services. Health, Safety,
ethical consideration along with influences of recent and emerging assistive devices on the
independent life will also included in this assignment. In end, Specific requirements,
recommendations and usefulness of these devices for assisting the independent living
arrangement will also discussed under this report.
PART 1
1.1: Explain how technology can be used to support users of health and social care services in
living independently
Technological advancement always provides benefits to the people who are suffering
from disabilities and health issues. It also provides assistance in the health and social care
services and enables the patients in living their life in independent and easy manner.
Furthermore, these changes are also necessary for the individuals who are suffering from a long
time period, There are several devices and software through which problems of patients can be
decreased and they can live their life in more easy manner. In the given case of Sally, she was
suffering from double visions and numbness in its left foot. She have also consulted with
neurologist and then placed on disease-modulating medication. Neurologist has suggested her to
take proper suggestion from the technological specialist so that she can take assistive devices
which will be helpful for her in living her life in an easy manner. With the help of these technical
devices, her life will be spend in easy manner and she will be able in going to work and also
provide supports to her children in after school activities like games and homework (Swain,
2013).
She was referred to occupation therapist for diagnosis of her left foot and also referred to
the assistive technology specialist for taking consultation for adopting other technological

equipments so that various issues like typing, holding lunch tray and other activities can be
resolved in easy manner. Her General practitioner said her to consult with trainer so that its
vehicle can be modified with a special kind of knob and accelerator. GP also told her to hire a
counsellor who will be help her in taking financial decision and performing other activities. After
a cognitive evaluation of her diseases and memory skills a personal digital assistant was provided
to her. With the help of it all daily activities of her were be managed in proper manner. From this
device, She were managed her work related with healthcare and nutritional supplements.
1.2: Analyze barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care services
in living independently
Barriers can be defined as the factors in health and social care that can hinder the
individuals in using of assistive devices. A report of medical research says that heavy use of
assistive devices can provide huge challenges to the users of it. It can cause further injuries
which can influences the daily activities of individuals. Some of these are given as under:
Possibility of failure - These are very common in some technical devices. Some of these
technical devices are very simple in operating such as walker whereas, some of them are very
complex and not to be understand by individuals in easy manner. Therefore, these devices can't
be adopted by individuals in easy manner. Because of these complex designs, usage of these
designs in the treatments and daily activities are not possible due to which most of the
individuals not adopt these devices in easy manner (Yamanashi, 2015).
Battery operated - Most of assistive devices are operated by an additional power source
which is also called battery. The problem in these devices is that they need charging after some
time and at the time of charging these devices are not safe for use. Improper knowledge is also
a main barrier for using such assistive devices as most of the individuals have lack of
information and they not know that how to use these devices due to which desired results are not
recieved by them.
1.3: Explain the benefits of these technologies to health and social care organisations and their
users
In order to use supportive technologies, it is very important that these devices are
designed for taking care of requirements of disabled patients. Healthcare institutions and
disabled individuals both can get benefits from these devices. Some of the benefits of supportive
devices for social and healthcare organisations and patients are given as under: