Assisted Living Technologies for Independent Senior Care

This assignment explores the use of technology to support independent living among elderly individuals. It covers various aspects such as reablement strategies (Aspinall et al., 2016), ambient assisted living technologies (Blackman et al., 2016), care robots supporting independent living at home (Fischinger et al., 2016), and the perspectives of older adults on smart home technology (Peek et al., 2017). Additionally, it discusses the predictors of post-school success for individuals with disabilities (Mazzotti et al., 2016) and the impact of absences from school among unaccompanied Mexican minors in US schools (Martinez, 2016). The assignment also includes a discussion on defining impairment and disability (Oliver, 2017) and an online forum discussing epilepsy and diabetes.

Supporting independent living

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Technology can used to support users of health and social care......................................1
1.2 Barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care services......2
1.3 Benefits of these technologies to health and social care organisations............................2
2.1 Health and safety considerations in the use of technologies............................................3
2.2 Ethical considerations in use of assistive technologies....................................................4
2.3 Affect of recent and emerging technological developments on health and social care
services...................................................................................................................................4
PART 2............................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Particular needs of an individual requiring support to live independently.......................5
3.2 Recommendations for how technologies might support independent living arrangements. 6
3.3 Usefulness of technology for users of health and social care services.............................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Supporting independent living will aid to give choice to person regarding their living.
This will provide an appropriate opportunities to them which will assist to increase their abilities
of living more effectually (Arundel and Ronald, 2016). There are many disable people who want
to live their lives independently; therefore, many kinds of tools and techniques are using by
them. As a result, they will easily accomplish work systematically and proficiently. This
assignment is based on two case studies, one is related to Sally and another is Jane. In this report,
there are many barriers during utilization of latest technology so that users will use it effectively.
They both are suffering from many diseases so that it is required for them to use new tools to live
their lives in a better way. Rather than this, there are many benefits related to technologies to
health care are going to mentioned in this project.
PART 1
1.1 Technology can used to support users of health and social care
From past few years, medicines as well as upgraded technology is providing numerous
advantages to individual who are suffering from many disabilities (Aspinal and et. al., 2016).
According to UK parliament publication, each individual is much concerned to those activities
which are associated with health and social care. This will portrays that all incapacitate person
have similar choice, control and freedom which is having by other people at premises, home or
society. Therefore, they (disable person(s)) are having right to work for themselves so that they
will make their life much better and efficient. With aid of new and latest techniques and tools
they will much able to make their life more better. In this relation, alterations in medical practice
or attribute is fundamental. Thus, technology will be used by professionals which will cater
positive affect on disable people. Basically, individual who are not able is not aware regarding
medical and technological improvement. If they are having proper knowledge about it then, they
will easily comprehend about their disease. Thus, it is must to aware them about new medical
services and techniques so that they will use them and will support independent living
effectually. According to the given case study, a lady whose name is Sally was suffering from
some problems like, double vision from an impairment of medical eye patch or her eye which
will decrease effect of double vision. Eye patch is considered as a first assistive technology
which was providing by many eye specialist.
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Rather than this, Sally was weak and has numbness on her right side of body. Thus, it
was not easy for her to use normal keyboard. Henceforth, a solution is given by GP for this
trouble is that a big keyboard will be given to her with enlightening keys. Along with this, an
another issue is memory loss. To remembers each things in an effective manner, she will utilize
PDA i.e. personal digital assistant and another name of this, Pocket Coach.
1.2 Barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care services
There are some specific needs of people which they want to get fulfilled and this will be
developed due to many kind of disabilities as well as illness (Blackman and et. al ., 2016). There
are some obstacles which will related with technology will be act as a burden to utilization of
new techniques. With help of new methods an individual will live their life more independently.
Barriers like, complexities in tools, issues related to maintenance of equipments, deficiency of
training, higher cost and so forth. These all are common problems which is facing by clients
when they are utilizing advanced techniques as well as tools. Instead of this, with aid of latest
gadgets and tools high level of services will provide to customers and this will contain expensive
procedures. In relation to Sally's case study she is using PDA to remember things in an
appropriate manner and accomplish personal activities. Personal digital assistant is a much
expensive equipment and high internet speed is required to keep up this tool. If battery got
damaged then this will take high cost to replace it.
To use latest techniques or equipments some sort of training need to be provided to users
so that they will use it in an appropriate manner. In context of present scenario, Sally needs
training; thus, she will utilize PDA in an effective manner and in addition, will use keyboard
appropriately which is given to her. With assistance of Personal digital assistant she will be able
to remember each things in a proper manner (Fischinger and et. al., 2016). She has to press a
single key and then, she will know that what need to be done next. As a result, Sally will
complete her task according to time efficiently. All things associated with technical disruption
require attention of a professional so that equipments get repaired. For above stated aim, some
direction will be given by expert which is useful for an individual. Rather than this, training will
be rendered to users as this helps to eliminate obstacles from utilisation of equipments.
1.3 Benefits of these technologies to health and social care organisations
Assistive technology portrays any kind of product, device, object as well as system which
aid a person to execute specific task in an appropriate manner. This will ensure their safety while
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doing any task. Henceforth, with help of latest techniques an individual will improve their life
style. Along with, disable people will easily live their life independently. Fundamental benefit of
using of assistive technology is that, it assists to make person (s) life more autonomous.
According to provided case scenario of Sally, if left foot accelerator is provided to her then, this
will be more difficult for her to live life more independently. And she will be more depend on
other for their own work which will create more hurdles. Henceforth, in this relation it has been
evaluated that assistive technology help to improve independence level of Sally so that he will
complete her work by own. Rather than this, as she is using personal digital assistant which aid
to improve her independency level.
With assistance of assistive technology, clients will reduce risk or hazards. As per
case study of Sally, she never remember to take medicines on time (Heinz and et. al., 2016). But
as she is using PDA so that she will easily remind every things which she forget. It helps to
eliminate unwanted risk of health. It has been noted that, by using assistive technique users will
easily access saved information as well as data in an effective and efficient manner. As a result,
all work will accomplished on time without any issue.
Like an example: With aid of eye patch Sally will easily see normally. Along with this,
through new or latest kind of keyboard she will able to use computer in an appropriate manner.
Additionally, by using PDA she will easily remember things which is going to be done by her in
forthcoming time.
2.1 Health and safety considerations in the use of technologies
Health and safety is a major concern for every individual which associates with all new
and modify technologies of business (Holstege and it. al., 2016). Health and social care need to
understand all legislative consideration with health and safety so that better and effective
practices get promoted. For this aspect, health and safety act, 1974 get incorporated. This
legislation imposed by parliament of United Kingdom with clear aim to ensure all employees
about safe concern. This act need to include by employer of a company properly so that they lead
to provide better and effective working to all employees.
When, association start using assistive technologies in working then 1974 act get
incorporate properly. Sally suffering from heavy diseases in which HCS provide them assistive
technology for mobility aid. Hospitals, care homes etc. can use wheelchairs and several other
devises properly for better and effective working. Although, these emerging technologies support
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an individual to move from one place to another properly and effectively. Sally use assistive
technology while she was suffering from tingling and numbness in her leg foot. Although, health
and social care have to provide her assistive technology so that she become able to move from
one place to another.
Not only, management have to provide services but also have to take care about health
and safety act, 1974 into consideration. By applying this act in consideration HSC become able
to provide extra care to Sally so that chances of earlier recovery become possible in nature.
2.2 Ethical considerations in use of assistive technologies
Ethics are moral principles of an individual or consider as such element whcih need to
follow by a person properly with all values while completing any activity or a task (Martinez,
2016). It is important for every organisation to understand the concept of ethics in working so
that better and effective working get promoted. Assistive technology support many disable
person to work properly and make their moment as well. Assitive means supporting technology
which frame by considering many new area of development as well as patient causes. Ethics in
assitive technology stands for using and determine appropriate mode of supportive material.
Along with this, technology or material need to be high quality in nature so that chances of their
failure get reduces which impacted a disable mobility.
 A major intention of using such technology is to provide benefit to an individual so that
they are not going to depend on any individual
 It support individual to do such things which beyond of their ability as well as become
able to maintain relationship with lovd ones
If health and social care will not going to evaluate all ethcis of using assitive technology properly
then chances of accident cases against such personnel become high in nature which arise risk of
death (Mossialos and et. al., 2016). Although, health and social care practices need to understand
all ethcial and moral values of using assitive technology properly so that better and effective
delivery of services become possible. It get promoted by using new and modify section
technology and guide individual to use them effectively and properly as well.
2.3 Affect of recent and emerging technological developments on health and social care services
There are many recent and current trends getting evaluated with ourse of technological
development. In health and social care practices, workers, organisations all of them have to use
and determine new and emerging technology in HSC properly so that quality based servcies lead
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to get transfer to each and every individual properly. Thus, by using new and modern assitive
technology in consideration, several aspects become positive where as some of them become
negative in nature as well (Narasimhan and et. al., 2017). Thus, for each aspect have to
understand for Sally deliverables are stated as follow:
 Organisation: If an association start using new technology to provide quality service to
disable indiviudal, they need to underpin all assitive technologies. It reference about use
of electronic wheelchair for not able individual of walk. A positive aspect of using this
technology is that their name of HSC get enhance moreover, a motivation to do work by
own improve willingness.
 Care workers: Another concern associates with care workers. The work of care practioner
become more hectic as they lead to start taking care of such equipments as well. Along
with this, they need to become more and appropriate caring rather than before. But a
positive aspect about new and emerging assitive technology use is that care workers
become effective and efficient in nature with time saving.
These are the positive and negative aspect of using recent and emerging technology in
consideration properly so that better and effective results get derive. Such results will lead to
motivate disable individual by which they become able to perform their work and duty properly
and effectively.
PART 2
3.1 Particular needs of an individual requiring support to live independently
According to given case study, there is a lady Jane who is suffering from limited
mobility, learning disabilities and chronic health problems and this will comprise two disease,
one is Diabetes types 2 and other is Epilepsy (Oliver, 2017). When each and every thing is
determined then, it was noted that she wants some types of need, i.e. physical intellectual, health
and emotional. It has been seen that particular requirement of Jane is that she wants to go her flat
again which is situated in Sunshine sheltered accommodation; therefore, she will live her life
according to her only or in other words, without support of other people. She is missing her own
place because she wants to live alone (West and Honey, 2016). Along with, it is must for her to
take her medicines on time as this helps to maintain her career. She got heart attack; thus, it is
mandatory for her to take proper rest as well as medication on time.
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Instead of this, Jane is suffering from a disease named, chronic so that it is required for
her to keep up health and go for check up on regular basis (Wachsmuth, Knoch and Rippe,
2016). Along with, it is needed for her to take medicines on time. She wants to live her life alone
and happily; therefore, she will ask for some advice from professional. Jane has various issues,
for instance chronic health and in addition learning abilities. It has been analysed that there is no
such treatment for chronic difficulties. Henceforth. It is required for her to formulate an
appropriate schedule so that she will remember what she needs to do next. As a result, her will
will get accomplished timely and systematically.
3.2 Recommendations for how technologies might support independent living arrangements
Several kinds of assistive technology will be utilized by patients as it aids to provide
assistance to those people who are suffering from numerous sorts of diseases, like an example:
learning disabilities, Diabetes Type 2, Epilepsy and many others (Peek and et. al., 2016). In this
relation, it is needed for Jane to use latest techniques as well as methods; thus, she will live her
life easily and feel more secure. It is must for Jane to note as well as examine her routine
exercises in an appropriate manner. For this, she will take aid of health care professional as they
will give her best suggestion to improve learning skills in an adequate and proficient way.
Henceforth, she will take help of latest techniques so that she will complete entire activities
systematically without facing any issues. This all work as an advantage for her because she will
live her life happily. Jane is living alone in her flat which was situated in Sunshine Sheltered
Accommodation. Thus, it is must for her to take assistance of assistive technology so that she
will manage entire work properly and accomplish each take in an appropriate manner.
As per conducted research in United Kingdom, it has been examined that in almost two
minutes an individual is determined with disease of diabetes (Pripfl and et. al., 2016). This figure
is continuously enhancing. To overcome from this kind of disease, it is must for Jane to take
some additional care. For example: medical treatment to control blood pressure, blood fats as
well as diabetes.
Medicines are much useful because this helps to reduce blood glucose level and in
addition assist to control diabetes in an effective way. This will aid to make person (s) life more
independent and better. To monitor level of glucose, a tool i.e. Glucometer will be used by Jane.
And if its level is identified high then, with aid of proper medications it will be controlled. As
Jane is a diabetic patient so that it is must for her to make proper control over blood pressure.
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She will connect her phone with equipments because it assists to control everything on regular
basis.
Rather than this, assistive care which is provided to Jane is memory phone. This is
considered as a best and appropriate device which aid to save memory and along with, to
improve her learning abilities or skills.
3.3 Usefulness of technology for users of health and social care services
By using new and latest techniques as well as tools people will easily make their life easy
and simple (Smith and Astell, 2017). In modern era, many tools and technologies are utilizing to
provide effective health care services. As per the given case study, both devices, i.e. confounding
door lock and medicine auto dispenser assist to accomplish requirements of Jane. She was
suffering from many issues, such as limited mobility, learning disability, thus, she forgot
numerous things like, she never takes her medicines on time. Henceforth, it is required for her to
carry both tools always, in fact if she is going somewhere also (Soekadar and et. al., 2016).
In relation to this, both required modifications i.e. medical practice and in addition
attitude. It aids to provide improvement in tools and methods. These will provide impact to
person on their disabilities. Basically, it has been noted that disable individuals are not much
familiar with improvement of techniques and medical services. If they know it then, it will be
easy for them to live their life in an appropriate manner. Along with, pharmaceutical advances
and services are much costly thus, every person will not afford it.
For instance: Assistive technology needs to be utilized by patients who are not able to do
things in a corrective way; thus, proper training needs to be cater to them (Wang and et. al.,
2016). With assistance of this, they will make their life more better and will do things
independently. In context of Jane's case study, it is required for her to use above mentioned
devices as this enables her to make life easier. She will utilize techniques as well as tools to
decrease chronic disease effectively and efficiently.
CONCLUSION
From above mentioned assignment it has been comprehended that assistive technology is
much useful to make life of individuals much better. In this assignment, there is discussion about
many obstructions which will occur at the time of using new tools and methods. If there is an
appropriate improvement in technology then, this will provide positive affect on health as well as
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social care. With assistance of this, people will easily live their life without gelp fo others. Along
with, some recommendations are also giving to improve health and social care services.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Arundel, R. and Ronald, R., 2016. Parental co-residence, shared living and emerging adulthood
in Europe: semi-dependent housing across welfare regime and housing system contexts.
Journal of Youth Studies. 19(7). pp.885-905.
Aspinal, F. and et. al., 2016. New horizons: Reablement-supporting older people towards
independence. Age and ageing. 45(5). pp.574-578.
Blackman, S. and et. al., 2016. Ambient assisted living technologies for aging well: a scoping
review. Journal of Intelligent Systems. 25(1). pp.55-69.
Fischinger, D. and et. al., 2016. Hobbit, a care robot supporting independent living at home:
First prototype and lessons learned. Robotics and Autonomous Systems. 75. pp.60-78.
Martinez, I., 2016. Supporting Two Households: Unaccompanied Mexican Minors and Their
Absences From US Schools. Journal of Latinos and Education. 15(3). pp.229-243.
Mazzotti, V. L. and et. al., 2016. Predictors of post-school success: A systematic review of
NLTS2 secondary analyses. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional
Individuals. 39(4). pp.196-215.
Mossialos, E. and et. al., 2016. 2015 international profiles of health care systems. Canadian
Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health.
Oliver, M., 2017. Defining impairment and disability. Disability and Equality Law. p.3.
Peek, S. T., Aarts, S. and Wouters, E. J., 2017. Can smart home technology deliver on the
promise of independent living? A critical reflection based on the perspectives of older
adults. Handbook of smart homes, health care and well-being. pp. 203-214.
Peek, S.T. and et. al., 2016. Older adults' reasons for using technology while aging in place.
Gerontology. 62(2). pp.226-237.
Pripfl, J. and et. al., 2016, March. Results of a real world trial with a mobile social service robot
for older adults. In The Eleventh ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human Robot
Interaction (pp. 497-498). IEEE Press.
Soekadar, S. R. and et. al., 2016. Hybrid EEG/EOG-based brain/neural hand exoskeleton
restores fully independent daily living activities after quadriplegia. Sci. Robot. 1(1).
pp.32-96.
Online:
Epilepsy and Diabetes – Confusion or Common “Cure”?. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.epilepsy.com/connect/forums/living-epilepsy-adults/epilepsy-and-
diabetes-%E2%80%93-confusion-or-common-%E2%80%9Ccure%E2%80%9D>.
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