Assistive Technology for Independent Living: A Comprehensive Report

This report delves into the realm of assistive technology and its crucial role in supporting independent living for individuals with disabilities and the elderly. It defines independent living, highlighting the services and technologies that enable individuals to live without dependence on others. The report examines various case studies, including the application of assistive technology for individuals like Mrs. Mary Johnson, showcasing the practical benefits such as improved safety and quality of life. It explores the barriers to assistive technology adoption, including complexity, cost, and maintenance issues. The report also analyzes the benefits for healthcare organizations and service users. Furthermore, it discusses relevant legislation like the Health and Safety Act of 1974 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, as well as ethical considerations surrounding the use of assistive technology, emphasizing principles like autonomy and non-maleficence. Overall, the report provides a comprehensive overview of assistive technology, its impact, and its ethical implications in promoting independent living.

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................1
TASK 1.......................................................................................................................................................1
1.1 .....................................................................................................................................................1
1.2 .....................................................................................................................................................2
1.3 .....................................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2 .......................................................................................................................................................4
2.1 .....................................................................................................................................................4
2.2 .....................................................................................................................................................5
2.3 .....................................................................................................................................................6
TASK 3 .......................................................................................................................................................8
3.1......................................................................................................................................................8
3.2 .....................................................................................................................................................9
3.3 ...................................................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Supporting independent life means providing disable or ill people with all the services and
assistance that can help them to be independent. They report consists of various different case
studies in which it will focus on assistance technology in which it will define independent living
and the assistance services that can make it possible for the people to live without being
dependent on others. The assignment further focuses technology up gradation and their uses to
support users of health and services in leading their life as an independent individual. It will
include all the barriers that can come in away to assist technology. Further, it will depict the
advantages of these new reforms to assist the users. It focuses the light on 1974 case study to get
clear idea of the legislation. It will further define points that are need to be consider while using
assistive technology. Moreover, Joseph's case study it will define its needs and will analyse and
evaluate the use of technology.
1.1
Living independently, without being dependent on others are the conditions in which disabled
person can live their lives independently and can live their life with freedom, and dignity. There
is no external control and same opportunities as individuals who are not disabled (Ahmad, 2015).
This independent living enable the people with disabilities to make decisions about the assistance
and support they need to receive, their living arrangements and by allotting them rights for living
independently without being depended on anyone (Van and et.al., 2017). The users of this
services can be disabled person, physically handicapped, mentally challenged, individual with
borne diseases, patients of heart disease, cancer patients, old age people, people with gradual
functional decline etc.
Assistive technology can be referred as an assistive device that is kind of computerized device
which helps the person with disability to perform functions more easily and comfortably in the
world. It maintains and improves functioning of a specially challenged and promote them to live
independently. It enables people to live productive and healthy life which leads to independence
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and dignity. It reduces the need of long term care and support services. The examples of this
technology are wheelchairs, scooters, orthotic devices, grap bars, prosthetic devices etc.
Government Strategy, the government has introduced action plans to assist disabled people this
is the independent living strategy. Independent living strategy
Equality Act 2010: this kind of act is beneficial for disabled person which covers employers,
employees and workers as well as users like patients I health and social care company. Also, it
involves job applicants and former employees. This covers people with disability and also those
who are not disabled but who employers mistakenly believes to have disability.
Mrs Mary Johnson lived in her own home in Northamptonshire. She had been widowed for 5
years and lived alone in the house. She was becoming highly forgetful and disposition. The
assistance services provided to Mrs Mary Johnson were gas sensor and cut off valve. Radio
smoke detector which would detect the smoke in the house. Door alert for the back door which
will alarm in case of any force entry. The other assistance that will be uses for Mary will be
lifeline tele care alarm that would be link to alarm service present in local community which
will let them know in case of any emergency (Ienca, and et.al., 2017). The other assistance
would be calendar clock, picture telephone and automatic dispenser of pill that will be helpful for
marry in entertainment and maintaining cleanness. This technology will help in living her life
alone without being dependent on other with ease and flexibility.
1.2
Assistive practical application is larger technique to develop independence handicapped
individual in taking care of their medicine or day to day actions. In Johnson's situation, helpful
practical application can be beneficial to her as well as assistance in her wish to remain living at
home. Therefore, her son installed various devices like gas sensor, radio smoke detector and door
alert for back door and lifeline telecare alarm unit etc. (Fischinger and et.al., 2016). Barriers to
utilization of helpful practical application for children with aggregate inability and improving the
overall health. The individual cannot have enough info about the technology and they can find
issues in available technology. Thus, individual can find tech costly which can be tough for them
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to bear it. For utilising of this kind of technologies, people can face many issues or barriers such
as:
Complexity of Assistive Technology:
It is the largest complexity while utilization of assistive technology is to improve the health and
wellbeing of disable person. The design of assistive devices are simple but some other are very
complex in function and design. The possibility of device happening become more likely with
the more complex design. This puts boundary on utilisation of helpful technologies as well as
believing on assistive technology with life of people is not (Bedaf, Gelderblom and De Witte,
2015). This kind of issue can be influenced on independently living in health care. There are
highly possibility while installing of these kinds of technologies like gas sensor, radio smoke
detector etc. which can impact on healthcare of Johnson.
Prices of Devices:
High prices of assistive technology can be part of the complexity of this assistive technology.
Few easy helpful practical application create complete well-being care procedure less costly.
Some illustration of thus cost reduction of range of equipment available which are utilised in
recent and upcoming time period. While, more well-informed practical application are much
more costly. In some cases, put in family in the condition of monthly payment for the
technologies (Ahmad, 2015). This kind of issue can be influenced on independently living in
health care. All kinds of technologies are very expensive which can be used by Johnson at her
home.
Maintenance and control:
Large level of maintenance and control of technology are also complexity which is not possible
for disabled person and their family members It is the also big barrier to utilise the assistive
technologies by Johnson within her home. Her son installed many assistive technology at the
home. But it is difficult to maintain and control these kinds of technologies because all devices
are very expensive. This kind of issue can be influenced on independently living in health care.
Overcome barrier:
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It is necessary to overcome the barriers of assistive technology which can aid to improve the
health and safety of disabled person like Johnson. Also, his son needs to technology at affordable
prices and highly maintenance on the technology which overcome the possibility of the
complexity. With the help of it, disabled person easily living independent.
1.3
It is true that practical application as well as helpful techs are planned specially to take care of
requirements of patients who is suffering from some form of handicap for the assistive
technology. Assistive technology is impressive in giving solutions and allowing people having
disabilities to become productive, self-directed and be part of life to community (Buehler and
et.al. 2015). The users of well-being and societal facilities can be capable to develop their health
quality. They can perform their work with more skilfulness.
Benefits for Healthcare Organization:
The assistive technology has given larger benefit to the well-being and social care companies
like care home, hospitals etc.
In service users home, this technology is beneficial for elderly people to do their actions
appropriately. This can help to reduce the stress on carers, developing quality of life of that
person with dementia.
In hospitals, this practical application is useful. For Example: virtual door and exist sensor can be
useful for detecting the exit and entry of the patient from the room.
Benefits for Services Users:
The assistive technology has given larger benefits to services users of well-being as well as
social care. Helpful practical application aid handle help reduce hazards in and around the home.
It helps to decrease the stress on carers, developing quality of life and of the person they are
caring for (Ienca and et.al., 2017). This kind of technology can promote the independence and
autonomy for both the person with dementia and those around them.
Benefits for Mary Johnson:
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The assistive technology has given larger benefits to services users of well-being as like Mary
Johnson. Such as:
Living normal life: Disability of any type can create the difference among normal life and living
which is dependent on actions and aid to other people. An individual cannot be capable to work
the way the utilised for improving the healthcare at the home.
For example: Mary Johnson's son installed automatic calendar clocks can be impressive for his
Mother which is not able to remember which particular day (Van der Roest and et.al., 2017). It
will also help Mrs. Johnson to live independently which will empower her to make the necessary
change in her life.
2.1
Health and Safety Act, 1974:
The health and safety act 1974 expresses as employers with five or more workers require to have
some written well-being and safety policies that has roles towards their workers and other
members of the broad public and workers to each other if it is responsibly practical. This refers
to that employer is not anticipated to avoid or decrease the risk, if it is specialized not proper or
disproportional to the risk (Riener, 2016). The risk can be measured to determine the possibility
and reasonable assess to reduce or avoid possible risks that can happen where people living and
work. The legislation looks that well-being and security is assured for all workers in almost all
work activity. This legislation needs like safe operation and transfer of working atmosphere and
system, right training to members for assuring well-being and security. Therefore, employees
and employers need to follow this regulation for caring of disabled patients like Mary Johnson.
This can support to living independently to patients.
Risk Assessment:
It is term utilized to define overall procedure or method where people determine risk elements
which have the possible to reason them harm. Also, it analysis and evaluate hazard or risk.
Mental capacity Act 2005:
It is act which aim is to give legal framework for acting and making judgements on base of adult
who lack capacity to make specific decisions for themselves. This act can help to disable person
in terms of supporting of living independently.
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2.2
Ethics consist of primary issues of applicable for making decisions. It is major concerns involve
nature of ultimate beliefs and norms by that human activity can be evaluated right or wrong. The
terms ethics and morality are closely interrelated. Ethics are related as ones impression, which
tells them to create differentiation among correct and inaccurate. Furthermore, individual can be
showed to fall in ethics (Holt and Allen, 2015). If he or she fulfils the needs of law. Thus,
philosophy code of activity has to be expert, so that single person can be activated fairly. The
ethical consideration in employ of helpful practical application that has to be applied as tech can
be misused. Therefore, it can replace the human contact. There are four principles of health and
social care ethics such as:
Autonomy:
Any opinion of moral decision-making assumes which rational agents are included in creating
informed and voluntary judgement. Respect for the autonomy of the patient in healthcare
decisions. In common formulation, express that patients has the capacity to perform deliberately
with understanding and without controlling effects that will rationalize against free and voluntary
(Sirrs, 2016). It is firs one principles by that freedom and advised choice of services users in day-
to-day life must be respected.
Non-maleficence:
The non-maleficence needs of people, which they not deliberately make harm or injury to the
patient either through act of commission or mistake. It is giving quality of care which avoids or
reduce risk of harms is supported not only by employees held moral strong beliefs but through
laws of society as well (Waterson and Dingwall, 2016). It is the principle of avoiding any
possible harm that can occur to users of healthcare services.
Beneficence:
The meaning of beneficence is that healthcare providers have responsibility to be of advantages
to patients and to take positive stages to keep and remove harm from the services users. These
responsibilities are view as rational and self-evident. These are broadly accepted as the
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appropriate objectives of medicines (Fischinger and et.al. 2016). It means everything services
providers can do in relation to users must be for the benefits of themselves.
Justice:
It is define as kind of fairness, which expresses fair distribution of products in society, and needs,
which they look at the role of claim. It is normally held that individuals who are equals can
qualify for equality treatment (Caring for Someone with Dementia: 5 Fundamentals, 2018). It
means treating each patient fairly and considering diversity and single difference of users of
healthcare services.
2.3
The rising of helpful practical application is highly aiding users to discover solution for their
handicap, so that they can develop their well-being as well as raised communication with people
or society. The recent technologies like telecare and other devices (Bedaf, Gelderblom and De
Witte, 2015).
Medical imaging: It means to methods and procedures utilized to make images of different
portions of human body and treatment procedures within digital health. It involves X-rays,
radiography.
Benefits of medical imaging: It keeps in mind which radiation doses utilized in medical
radiological imaging examinations like x-rays which are much lower than utilised in radiation
oncology.
Disadvantage of medical imaging: Some contrast agents can reason unwanted side effect. X-
rays expose the patient to unwanted that can possibly cause cancer, still amount of radiation
provided off is minimal.
3.1
Specific requirements are well-advised to needs which are given to disabled people troubled
from illness. It is necessary to independent living, which is more effective policy to give single
person the freedom to lead his or her own life. It aids patients Like Joseph, which are suffering
dementia in gaining confidence to take their decisions. Still, every patient has individual needs
like physical, social and emotional support (Ienca and et.al. 2017). This aids single person in
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header with given condition. The present case study defines about Joseph who is 62 year old man
who has early onset dementia. Recently, he lost his wife. He is lost to the day and time. This
issue can have mortal disadvantage on his improvement procedure. The specific requirements of
Joseph can be considered as:
Physical Needs: define Physical Needs and relation to Joseph.
The case define that Joseph is suffering with issue of dementedness. Therefore, he has the critical
problem of memory loss that can establish to be deathly of his improvement (Riener, 2016). This
posed the health risks for Joseph and therefore, he has particular requirement of healthy
surviving situations that empower him towards medical assistance, day-to-day home care and
technology aid that can assist to cope up within current condition. Therefore, assistive devices
result instruments can be useful for his growth and improvement. Through this need, Joseph
needs ask first and follow clearly, aware directly to people and setting meeting to improve the
health and safety of disabled person within the home. For improving the needs, his son installed
the assistive technology for improving health and living independently.
Social Needs: define Social Needs and relation to Joseph define Physical Needs and relation
to Joseph
The social needs also necessary to care of disabled person either home or hospitals. It is
necessary to begin care with compassion and empathy. This keeps true is all relations of human
being but can be especially prominent for dementia care providers. For instance, individual with
dementia like Joseph are prostrate to become lost about their location and even the schedule in
which they are living (Carver and et.al. 2016).
Emotional Needs: define emotional Needs and relation to Joseph define Physical Needs
and relation to Joseph
Emotional needs also necessary to person who is suffered from dementia. It involves affection,
financial support, honesty, physical attractiveness which can directly improve the health and
safety of disabled person within the home. For improving the needs, his son installed the
assistive technology for improving health and living independently.
3.2
Assistive needs are important portion of daily life of the dementia patient. As the case, Joseph
could be given a different assistive technology that can aid his in leading normal and healthy life
(Etscheidt, 2016). These devices can be:
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Detector and warning device:
The sensor and alarm are very important portion of handling health and safety for individual
residents. The smoke alarm and burglar should protect hid from any hazard that can pose the risk
to her physically. Furthermore, regular alarm should aid his in handling perfect and regular
program for his medication and food habits (Boot and et.al. 2017). This can aid Joseph in
preventing the track of time and action, which are link with it. Therefore, he can be able to
prevent daily of his meals and medicines.
Reminder Message:
It refers to when individual enters or leaves their home, personal voice prompt recoding can
remind them to pick up their keys or lock front door. For example: Joseph is with faced with
serious problem of forgetting his medicines, returning home on time and handling home care
services. This can aid to reminder message for medicines to Joseph. Many of incidents evidenced
that he has been not following healthy program to lead his life. Furthermore, absence of daily
care creates more undependable (Holt and Allen, 2015). Joseph can be provided with reminder
assistance that can aid his in regulating his daily actions. The technology can aid in handling his
effective time and routine.
Medication aids:
Through this device, Dossette boxes are simple boxes for pills with compartment for particular
days of week and time of days. This kind of device aid to Joseph, because they forget his
medicines and also help to people remember to take their medication at the right time. When
medication requires to be taken the dispenser beeps and small opening enable access to special
pill a right time.
Computing device:
The personal traits and features of Joseph presents which he is a progressive person who is
frequently included in multitasking. The computing device can aid in maintaining his routine
while including his in many useful tasks. The technology can aid in making her appropriate
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program while handling his actions. In addition, it can aid in handling the social relationship with
family members while being in safe and secure assumptions.
3.3
In accordance with case it has been found out that Joseph is 62-year-old man suffering
dementia and has recently lost his wife. He is a physically active gentle man who attend number
of occasions each day. His neighbours confirmed tat he remains out of home all night and day
which was even confirmed by his daughter Lisa when she came for a visit and notice water
flowing out of door and he was not at home. Further, he does not stay at home in daytime which
was confirmed by homecare workers. I n accordance with this it is evident that he can skip meals
and medication for going got. Therefore, incorporating use of assistive technology for Joseph
will help in tracking location of Joseph which is important maintaining and improving the
functional capabilities (Sirrs, 2016).
 As per the disability and condition of Joseph, the suitable assistive technology which can
be recommended is Wander memo reminder which is tool that encourages time
orientation for people suffering from dementia (Waterson and Dingwall, 2016). The is the
appropriate AT for improving habit of Joseph of staying out of home at odd hours. The
device is about recorded voice which is set in front of door and prevents leaving home at
wrong hours of day. The rehabilitative device will improve responsiveness and
attentiveness of Joseph. According to Fischinger and et.al. 2016, the device contains
personalised messages which can be recorded by family members and is used for the
person prone to wander at inappropriate time of day or prone to forget things. Apart from
Wander memo reminder, there is flood detector which is not useful for Joseph as it
detects water presence in basement and in residential applications but is for warning of
developing blood which has not use for the patient suffering from dementia. In addition,
there is smoke alarm which is not an appropriate choice for Joseph as it provides early
warning to escape in case of fire.
 The major disadvantage of Wander memo reminder is it restricts the ability to play a
message at only specific part of day that is night. On the other hand, it is the only useful
technology in case of Joseph because its motion sensor detects movement to play a
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message which is the best way to restrict Joseph from going out of home at inappropriate
times.
 Apart from assistive technology, progress in Dementia of Joseph can be managed by
incorporating talking therapies like Cognitive behaviour therapy (Ahmad, 2015). The
therapy enables treatment on the basis of behaviours and patient (Ienca and et.al., 2017).
This will be helpful in improving progress in condition of Joseph because the therapy will
be encouraged communication with Joseph which is the main area which needs to be
focused in order to restrict him from going out of home.
CONCLUSION
This report has summarised that use practical application in health and care to support users
of health and care services to live severally which involves gas sensor, radio smoke detector and
door alert for back door and lifeline telecare alarm unit at home. It can be concluded that Barriers
to utilisation of practical application to assistance users such as possibility of failure, cost and
maintenance as well as control which can aid to live independently. It can be discussed that
Benefits of assistive technology for healthcare organization and services users like helping
improvement procedure and living normal life at the premises. Furthermore, it can be Health and
safety consideration in utilization of practical applications in well-being in care home, hospitals
and client's home in relation to long-term effects, interrupting recovery procedure and safety
check to the services users. It can be discussed that ethical consideration in utilization of assistive
technologies such as autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence and justice for healthcare of
patients. Moreover, report has completed those specific needs of Joseph who has suffered from
dementia, thus different needs like physical needs, intellectual needs, health needs, actively
empathise and realistic care provider.
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