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

Supporting Independent Living
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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Task 1.........................................................................................................................................4
1.1) Explain how technology can be used to support users of health and social care
services in living independently.............................................................................................4
1.2) Analyse barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care
services in living independently.............................................................................................6
Task 2.........................................................................................................................................8
2.1) Explain health and safety considerations in the use of technologies in health and social
care.........................................................................................................................................8
2.2) Discuss ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies..............................10
2.3) Explain the impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health and
social care services, organizations and care workers...........................................................12
Task 3.......................................................................................................................................13
3.1) Identify the specific needs of an individual requiring support to live independently...13
3.2) Make recommendations for how technologies might support the independent living
arrangements........................................................................................................................15
3.3) Evaluate the usefulness of technology for users of health and social care services.....17
Conclusion...............................................................................................................................18
References................................................................................................................................19
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Introduction
Independent living is an essential concept and aspect of the health and social care services.
Independent living refers to providing with medical and social care services to individuals
with specific needs and requirements undertaking the practices of independent living.
Assistance and aid are provided to these individuals from a distance, which enables to
support for independent and supportive living at the same time. Technology has reflected and
contributed majorly to the services and operations of health and social care organisations. The
essay will focus towards various case studies to develop effective learning and outcomes.
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Task 1
1.1) Explain how technology can be used to support users of health and social care
services in living independently.
Independent living refers to the way in which a percentage of disabled people live; they are
able to have the same choice, control, and freedom as other citizens at home. Unlike assisted
living, independent living is ideal for those who are physically able to take care of themselves
and complete daily activities at home with minimal assistance and support.
In the case study, the first assistive technology that Sally has been provided with by an eye
specialist was the eye-path. This was recommended to her as she was suffering from a double
vision which has interfered with her daily activities as well as her performance at work. The
eye patch aims to reduce the effects of double vision and ensure she can participate in all
activities without trouble. Sally as an individual who was living independently did not have
to consistently return to her GP so they could track the progress, instead, she has the choice to
return whenever she feels that it is no longer supporting her effectively. This can be seen as
an advantage of independent living.
Sally later starts to experience difficulty typing and the specialists who examined her
recommended an easy input keyboard with larger black letters surrounded by a yellow
background. The large letters and yellow background ensured that she could easily see the
letters on the keyboard and therefore helped her complete her daily activities at work. The
driver trainer specialist adapted her vehicle with a spinner knob to act as a solution to the fact
that she was unable to use both hands on the steering wheel, this allowed her to drive with
one hand. As well as that as she experienced numbness on the right side of her body, a left
foot accelerator was set in her vehicle so she can use the left foot instead. Throughout the
previous four years, Sally's family has noticed changes in her memory. In order to decrease
the effects of memory loss on her day to day life, Sally was given a device which reminded
her of what activities should be completed throughout the day.
The technological advancements and developments have contributed majorly towards the
performance and development of the health and social care services. The technological
services and facilities can be used in an empirical manner to sustain the execution of
independent living. Individuals with specific needs and requirements require for assistive
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