Supporting Independent Living in Health and Social Care: An Essay

Desklib provides solved assignments and past papers to help students succeed.

SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT LIVING IN HEALTH AND
SOCIAL CARE

Table of Contents
Task 1 Essay...............................................................................................................................4
1.1 Uses of technology...........................................................................................................4
1.2 Challenges of using assistive technologies.......................................................................5
1.3 Explanations of benefits of using these technologies.......................................................6
Task 2.........................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Health and safety issues....................................................................................................7
2.2 Ethics................................................................................................................................8
2.3 impact of recent development of technologies.................................................................9
Task 3.......................................................................................................................................10
3.1 Identification of the specific needs of Joseph in order to live life independently..........11
3.2 Recommendations..........................................................................................................12
3.3 Benefits of technologies in health and social care services............................................13
Reference list............................................................................................................................14

Task 1 Essay
Introduction
The present study discusses about the Supporting Independent living in social and health
care. According to the case study, supporting independent living in necessary for those
patients suffering from the diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. These diseases make
problem mainly in the old age of the life. Mainly old people are suffering with these diseases.
Use of assistive technologies has some benefits that support the independent living. Thesis
statement of this study is that assistive technology supports the Independent living in health
and social services.
1.1 Uses of technology
Living independent refers to the right about the living of older and disabled people. As stated
by Halloran (2017), independent living supports the choices of living of the older people and
their requirement. Supporting Independent living (SIL) is an organization which uniquely
helps those people supporting independent living. They help anyone of any disability and the
age is no bar for them. The organization offers many options which supports to the home
living and within the budget. Budget is an important factor that must consider in the living
independently.
SIL provides many services that support the independent living. In case of, independent
living uses of assistive technology is useful. As mentioned by Khosravi and Ghapanchi
(2016), assistive technology defines the uses of any system or devices that support the task
performed by an individual that they would be unable to perform the task. On the other hand,
uses of assistive technology increase the security and ease of the task that performed. Based
on the case study, The Safe at Home scheme provides a variety of technologies that helps the
people suffering from dementia in order to reduce their risks, increases the safety and support
at home. Apart from this, a demonstration house is present where professionals have
identified the benefits of using the technology by the people who are suffering from the
dementia (atdementia.org.uk. 2019).
1.2 Challenges of using assistive technologies
Assistive technology supports the task that performed by the disabled people or by those who
are suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s. As opined by Gibson et al. (2016), this
technology makes the task easy for those people and increases the safety at home. This

technology provides some devices or systems that are being used by the disabled people.
Assistive technology makes related to the health and safety of those people and helps to
increase their performance at home. It has found out that many people have different choices,
ability and preferences and it has also found that one’s preference is simply different from the
others.
Some people have found beneficial by using of the AT but disadvantages of using the
technology has also found (Cahill et al. 2017). It has found out that if the technology has not
met the requirements and preferences of individual then the effectiveness about the uses of
the technology has decreased. However, ineffectiveness of the technology can hamper the
improvement process and that leads to the mental reduction of the patient. Using this
technology may help to perform the task very easily and thereby enhance the effectiveness of
this technology.
As stated by Arntzen et al. (2016), AT is unable to assist the person if the people off the
switches. Apart from this, unplug of the equipment can also reduce the usefulness of the
technology. These are the important barriers of using the AT in order to improve the
performance of the disabled person. On the other hand, these are also very risky for those
people. In spite of that, the person may be distressed by any kinds of sounds. These sounds
can confuse the person about what they have to do. In case of, recorded messages increase the
confusion of the person. It is possible that the person cannot maintain these types of
command therefore the ineffectiveness of using the technology can enhance (Helbostad et al.
2017).
However, the uses of this technology cannot replace the interaction or the human contact.
This has not used for this purpose hence the technology has not defined about the increment
of the interaction (alzheimers.org.uk, 2019). AT improves the safety of the person but it has
not decrease the risk of using the technology. According to the case of, reducing the risk the
AT has not provided the proper solutions to improve the risk of the person. Apart from AT
such as remote monitoring, telecare is used to increase the safety of the person suffering from
dementia and Alzheimer’s but this technology can be harmful for them by enhancing the risk
related to the technology. In case if, the person cannot maintain the technology in a proper
manner then it can be risky and may cause reduction in the improvement (Fischinger et al.
2016).

1.3 Explanations of benefits of using AT
Besides the challenges that have faced by using the AT, the technology has many benefits
that provide the person for improving their performance. As stated by Khosravi et al. (2016),
uses of this technology increase the independency to the person. Apart from this, autonomy is
increased by using AT. In case if, the person feel independent about to do their task then it
helps to improve their performance. Along with this, it can reduce the dependency of the
person which is helpful for incorporating the technology to improve the health condition of
the person.
As the implication of the technology enhances the independency of the person so it affects on
the confidence as well. In case of, people suffering from the dementia incorporation of the
AT also improves their confidence and thereby quality of life is also increased by the uses of
this procedure (Greenhalgh et al. 2016). Apart from this, the technology focuses on to
manage the risks at home. In order to, imply this technology risks associated to the task at
home can decrease for the disabled people. They are suffering from the depression also and
thereby improvement in the mental health condition can necessary for the people. In order to,
apply the procedure it is very easy to improve their mental health.
As mentioned by Fox (2017), dementia and Alzheimer’s patients have not required staying at
home because of their depression and poor mental condition. Incorporation of AT supports
the person those who are suffering from dementia and recommend them to stay at home for
longer time and it is necessary for the person. It has found out that those persons have a
tendency to forget the address of their own house. Hence, it is important to stay those people
at home. Therefore the use of this technology is beneficial for those people.
People suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s cannot recall their memory of the past time
or even the recent past (Van der Roest et al. 2017). Besides this, they have tendency to forget
the things that they have recent used or even their normal and regular work at home. AT
helps the person to recall their memory in case of minimizing the risk associated to the
patient. In spite of that, the AT supports the person with Alzheimer’s and dementia for proper
maintenance of their abilities. It is also beneficial for decreasing the stressed of those people.
Conclusion
It has found out that the implication of AT supports the independency in living. This
technology provides the use of some devices or system that is beneficial for promoting the
independent living. In case of, dementia and Alzheimer’s patients it is very useful as the
technology provides some benefits about tom improve the quality of life. The study has

discussed about assistive technologies that are useful to support those people who are
suffering from dementia or from Alzheimer’s. Assistive technologies have supported the
living independence in social and health care services. In spite of that, challenges that are
faced due to the uses of the assistive technologies have also mentioned here. Implication of
this technology also helps to recall the memory as well as enhance the independency.
Therefore, it has been concluded that the implication of the AT is beneficial for supporting
independent living.

Task 2
Introduction
The present study has described about the health and safety issues related to the implication
of the AT that supports the independent living. In spite of that, using of assistive technologies
has some ethics to follow and without following the ethics the uses of the technology can face
the problems. On the other hand, impact of using these technologies with the relation of
health care services has also mentioned which states that implication of the AT is useful for
improving the health care services. Thesis statement of this study is that the AT is beneficial
in healthcare and social services.
2.1 Safety and Health issues
In case of, health and social care effective safety and health issues have considered with
respect to the technologies that must noticed by the healthcare professionals. Apart from this,
the information, instructions have required to the professional about the using of the
technology. In spite of that, proper training is also important for the effective implementation
of the services. As per view of Liu et al. (2016), without proper training about the
implementation of the technology the purpose of using the technology may fail. However,
proper supervision is also important for the usefulness of the implication. It has found out that
without proper supervision the benefits of using this procedure can reduce.
Apart from this, the legislation that have shown in the health and safety process ensure about
the work activity of the people. However, it is important to operate the technology safely and
the safe uses of the system can ensure about the usefulness of the technology. In spite of that,
it is beneficial for the improvement of the performance of the people. Security is also related
to the accession of the system. In case of, increment of the accession of the technology it is
important to assure about the security of the healthcare and society services.
However, the maintenance about the safe utilities of the system and also handling of the
dangerous devices is important to secure the health. Thereby, enhancement of the safety is
related to the maintenance of those devices also. In order to, increase the usefulness of the
system it is crucial to train the staffs with the proper training methods which can increase the
effectiveness of the system. As mentioned by Evans et al. (2015), enhancement of the safety
in the healthcare services is assured about the safety of the patients as well as this is also
related to the safety of those who are suffering from the dementia and Alzheimer’s.

In case of, any hospital the management can use the AT to provide the proper training to the
workers which can ensure about the safety of the disabled person. Proper training about the
health and safety can also enhance the chances of maintenance of the disabled patients mainly
who are suffering from dementia. In case of, Alzheimer’s patient it is also important to care
those with proper maintenance and it can ensure the chances about their recovery. Improper
maintenance can worsen the situation. Thus, it is beneficial to maintain those patients. Apart
from this, the health professional has to be trained by using this technology for enhancing the
quality of health of the people. It can increase the efficiency and deliver the care in a
productive way that the professional can provide the best services at home also (Garçon et al.
2016). Based on the cases achievement of the technology has increased the health and safety
related to those patients and it is also considered as an effective way to reduce the loneliness.
2.2 Ethics
There are variety of technological devices and system that have used to solve the problems
related to the disabled people. In spite of that, using of such devices has beneficial for those
people suffering from dementia and increase the care about them. However, uses of AT have
some ethical issues that have been mentioned for successful implementation of the technique.
In order to, apply the technology misuse has possible in many cases. It has found that there
are hidden costs in the system which is not appreciated anymore. In case of, using this
technology it is necessary to maintain that the devices must monitor the safety. In spite of
that, implication of the technology must maintain the freedom and privacy of the person
suffering from dementia (Waycott et al. 2015). In case of, using this it is necessary to keep on
mind that the technology relates to the privacy concern of the people. In health care and
social services maintenance of privacy is a large challenge that have faced. Apart from this,
the system must maintain the independence of the people. In case of, dementia and
Alzheimer’s patient it is necessary to maintain their independence for doing their task. It has
found out that, without independency the improvement of those people have decreased.
However, impact of this technology on society must be harmless by using the procedure. The
fear about the uses and to reduce the human contact is considered in these issues. Therefore,
it ensures about to reduce the confusion of using the devices and decrease the stress of the
people. As opined by Ienca et al. (2016), most of the time those patients have confused about
their task and their behavior also very confusing to promote their task. Therefore, assurance
about to reduce the confusion is important for applying the devices. This technology must be

free from complication. In order to, improve the performance of those patients it is important
to provide them less complicated devices that can help them to increase their health
condition.
It is also beneficial for the society to relate the system with the improvement of the mental
and health condition of those patients who are suffering from the Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Therefore, it is important to select the devices that are easy for using of those people. When
considering the AT it is important for the implication of the technology that it must be used
for protection of the people. In spite of that, assurance about to reduce the risk of oriented
task is important for using the technology. It has found out that the uses of AT in healthcare
and social services have to maintain these ethical issues for successful implementation. It is
also important for improving the performance of the patients suffering from dementia and
Alzheimer’s.
2.3 impact of recent development of technologies
There are some devices and appropriate assistive technologies that support the patients to
continue living independently. Reminder messages can work better for supporting the
independent living. This is a device that runs with electricity. It is a based on the voice
function in which voice can be recorded by the relatives of the patient that they must
recognize. This is effective for delivering some basic alert about to take the medicines,
opening and closing the switches that can help the patient to increase their alertness. In spite
of that, it is important to follow the instruction for proper maintenance.
As mentioned by Labonnote and Høyland (2017), telecare system is a beneficial tool for
supporting the independent living also in case of those who are suffering from the dementia
as well as Alzheimer’s. Telecare services can help the patient and enhancing the support on
an emergency condition. It is also increase the ease of providing all services related to the
healthcare and also the best way to save the life of those patients in the situation of firing,
flood, or any other emergency cases. Apart from this, medication box can beneficial for
enhancing the ease of the living independently. A special box for carrying all the important
drugs as well as all the tools that support AT can keep at the patient. Due to this reason they
are able to make the task easy in case of finding the medication or others necessary tools. It
can enhance the confidence of the patient as well as increase the ease of living.
In spite of that, sensors and alarm can set to remind the people about their common task
which is also beneficial for them to enhance the independency. Through this technology they

can manage their daily routine without any problem therefore the activities can increase by
using the technique. This is beneficial for the patients because of increment of the
effectiveness of their activities. These types of alarm can helpful to remind their work in case
of using the AT. Besides this, smart toilet can use by them and it is helpful to measure the
blood pressure as well as the sugar level by themselves. This is also effective for them to
maintain themselves and it can help them to maintain their diseases related to the blood
pressure or to the sugar (Negra et al. 2016). These recent technologies can help the patients
for supporting independent living by considering the AT.
Conclusion
It has been found out that the AT has related to the health and safety issues of the patient in
the healthcare and social services. Proper training to the health professional about the
technologies can increase the safety related to the technology. Due to this reason it can assure
about the patient safety. The uses of this technology have to follow some ethics related to the
health and safety services. Ethical issues can assure about the privacy and freedom of using
the procedure. Some recent developments have mentioned that support the independent living
such as telecare services, sensor and alarm, reminder messages and so on. Therefore it has
been concluded that the use of AT in the healthcare and social services is beneficial.

Task 3
Executive Summary
The following study deals with a case study of an old man of 62 years, named Joseph. He
has been suffering from the diseases of forgetfulness, Alzheimer. The disease leads to various
kinds of problem such as forgetting the pathway of home, keys, time, day and many other
things. In order to solve the problem of Joseph, several needs are being addressed in this
study that is being required by Joseph. Apart from that several recommendations in terms of
using the devices of AT have also been suggested in this study. Benefits of using the
technologies of AT have been discussed in this study below.

Introduction
Alzheimer's is a commonly known disease of forgetfulness. The following study will be
dealing with a situation of 62 years man named Joseph. The old man is suffering from the
disease of Alzheimer’s. Therefore, in order to live life independently, several needs have
been identified in this study along with some recommendation that will help Joseph to
improve his situation.
3.1 Joseph’s specific needs for living life independently
According to the case study, Joseph is being suffered from Alzheimer and specific needs are
needed by him for living life independently (Ahmad, 2015). The needs of the factors that
seem to be rising due to the effect of some of the diseases that include:
● Anxiety and depression
● Balancing the problems in life
● Tremor
● Trouble in terms of swallowing and eating
● Hallucinations or delusions
● Impulsivity and dis-inhibition
● Restlessness or wandering
● Distortions of memory and many others.
The symptoms that have been mentioned above are directly related to the disease of
Dementia (Buehler et al. 2015). Due to the disease of Dementia, several issues can be faced
by Joseph. Those issues or problems further give rise to the specific needs that must be
supported by the services of social and health care. Issues that seemed to be faced by Joseph
include:
● Distortions and relapsing of memory that leads to the misplacing of the keys
● Difficulty in speaking, seeing and hearing
● Unable to remember to turn the switches, knobs and other factors of a home off.
● Difficulty in terms of cooking, typing and many other factors.
Due to this the process of cognition is being severely hindered that leads an individual not to
recognize his own family, friends, houses and most importantly the person is unable to
remember his own self (Van der Roest et al. 2015). This also leads to destruct the daily
activities that are being carried by the individual. In order to solve all the situations, special