Supporting Independent Living: The Role of Technology in Health and Social Care

Supporting Independent Living
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
LO 1:................................................................................................................................................4
LO2:.................................................................................................................................................9
LO3:...............................................................................................................................................12
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................14
Reference List................................................................................................................................15
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Introduction
This project sheds light on the various aspects of the health and social care sector’s relation to
the scope of technology. The rapid advancements brought in by technology have significantly
created an impact in this sector. Certain factors such as the advantages of the technological
devices and assistance, and their impact upon the lives of the users shall be discussed in details in
the project. Also, various aspects such as the limitations and draw backs of the technological
devices shall be dealt with in details. The study shall be conducted in reference to two case
studies, one of Sally and the other one of Jane.
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LO 1:
1.1 Explain how technology can be used to support users of health and social care services
in living independently.
With growing age, it becomes a matter of challenge for the elderly people to carry on their daily
life activities. Be it walking to a certain place, or the ability to hold a commodity firmly, with age
or certain disabilities, it becomes very problematic for them to carry on their daily activities.
However, due to the impact of technology, it becomes a matter of ease for the people with
certain disabilities to carry on with their daily routine (De Raeve et al., 2017).
In the case study, it has been made evident that Sally, a 42 years old woman has been leading her
life with the aid of various technological devices and assistance such as eye patch, assistive
keyboards and others. Due to certain health problems such as double vision and multiple
sclerosis, it became very difficult for Sally to lead a normal life. She had been facing problems to
such an extent that her work life was getting difficult for her to manage. Further, it was stated
that various activates such driving and holding the lunch trays were becoming difficult tasks for
her.
Hence, with the aid of various technological devices and assistance, it became possible for Sally
to continue with the activities she had been doing before her health related problems started. The
various technological devices and assistance being used extensively today are as follows:
Hearing aids: These devices are used on an extensive basis today. People with problems and
complexities related to their hearing abilities are prescribed this device. With sound
amplification and frequency enhancing technology built in it, these devices help the individuals
to get over their disabilities in the most optimum of manners possible.
Speech recognizing devices: It becomes a matter of extreme difficulty and pain for those
individuals who suffer from such problems which stop them from communicating effectively
with the people around them. However, due to the aid of speech recognition devices, it becomes
possible for the patients suffering from this disability to communicate and voice out efficiently.
Lead-less Pacemakers: Pacemakers are a very crucial device for those who suffer from disease
such as arrhythmia and other heart related issues. However, the primitive pacemakers are known
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