Report: Supporting Independent Living with Assistive Technology

This report delves into the crucial role of technology in supporting independent living for users of health and social care services. It begins by explaining how technology, including assistive devices and software, can enhance independence, focusing on a case study of Sally, who experiences vision problems and foot numbness. The report then analyzes the barriers to technology adoption, such as the possibility of device failure and battery limitations, and highlights the benefits for both healthcare organizations and users, including increased affordability and ease of recovery. Part 2 examines health and safety considerations, emphasizing the importance of long-term effect monitoring and proper device usage. Ethical considerations, such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, are discussed in relation to assistive technologies, using Sally's case as an example. Finally, the report explores the impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health and social care services, organizations, and care workers, providing a comprehensive overview of the subject.

Supporting Independent Living

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1: Explain how technology can be used to support users of health and social care services in
living independently....................................................................................................................3
1.2: Analyze barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care
services in living independently..................................................................................................4
1.3: Explain the benefits of these technologies to health and social care organisations and their
users.............................................................................................................................................4
PART 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1: Explain health and safety considerations in the use of technologies in health and social
care..............................................................................................................................................5
2.2: Discuss ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies.....................................6
2.3 Explain the impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health and
social care services, organisations and care workers..................................................................7
PART 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1: Identify Jane’s specific needs in order to support Jane to live independently.....................8
3.2: Make your own recommendations on how the Technology might support her independent
living arrangements.....................................................................................................................8
3.3 Evaluate the usefulness of technology for Jane and also for other users of health and social
care services................................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Technology is very important in health and social care because it helps various
individuals who are suffering from several dirty diseases. Assistive devices are very useful
because it changes the lifestyle of individuals in positive or negative ways. These technical
devices also supports the health and social care services in effective manner so that individuals
can done their daily activities in proper manner. This assignment is based on two case studies of
Sally and Jane who are suffering from vision and heart problems. This report will discuss about
the use of technology for supporting the users of health and social care services. Health, Safety,
ethical consideration along with influences of recent and emerging assistive devices on the
independent life will also included in this assignment. In end, Specific requirements,
recommendations and usefulness of these devices for assisting the independent living
arrangement will also discussed under this report.
PART 1
1.1: Explain how technology can be used to support users of health and social care services in
living independently
Technological advancement always provides benefits to the people who are suffering
from disabilities and health issues. It also provides assistance in the health and social care
services and enables the patients in living their life in independent and easy manner.
Furthermore, these changes are also necessary for the individuals who are suffering from a long
time period, There are several devices and software through which problems of patients can be
decreased and they can live their life in more easy manner. In the given case of Sally, she was
suffering from double visions and numbness in its left foot. She have also consulted with
neurologist and then placed on disease-modulating medication. Neurologist has suggested her to
take proper suggestion from the technological specialist so that she can take assistive devices
which will be helpful for her in living her life in an easy manner. With the help of these technical
devices, her life will be spend in easy manner and she will be able in going to work and also
provide supports to her children in after school activities like games and homework (Swain,
2013).
She was referred to occupation therapist for diagnosis of her left foot and also referred to
the assistive technology specialist for taking consultation for adopting other technological

equipments so that various issues like typing, holding lunch tray and other activities can be
resolved in easy manner. Her General practitioner said her to consult with trainer so that its
vehicle can be modified with a special kind of knob and accelerator. GP also told her to hire a
counsellor who will be help her in taking financial decision and performing other activities. After
a cognitive evaluation of her diseases and memory skills a personal digital assistant was provided
to her. With the help of it all daily activities of her were be managed in proper manner. From this
device, She were managed her work related with healthcare and nutritional supplements.
1.2: Analyze barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care services
in living independently
Barriers can be defined as the factors in health and social care that can hinder the
individuals in using of assistive devices. A report of medical research says that heavy use of
assistive devices can provide huge challenges to the users of it. It can cause further injuries
which can influences the daily activities of individuals. Some of these are given as under:
Possibility of failure - These are very common in some technical devices. Some of these
technical devices are very simple in operating such as walker whereas, some of them are very
complex and not to be understand by individuals in easy manner. Therefore, these devices can't
be adopted by individuals in easy manner. Because of these complex designs, usage of these
designs in the treatments and daily activities are not possible due to which most of the
individuals not adopt these devices in easy manner (Yamanashi, 2015).
Battery operated - Most of assistive devices are operated by an additional power source
which is also called battery. The problem in these devices is that they need charging after some
time and at the time of charging these devices are not safe for use. Improper knowledge is also
a main barrier for using such assistive devices as most of the individuals have lack of
information and they not know that how to use these devices due to which desired results are not
recieved by them.
1.3: Explain the benefits of these technologies to health and social care organisations and their
users
In order to use supportive technologies, it is very important that these devices are
designed for taking care of requirements of disabled patients. Healthcare institutions and
disabled individuals both can get benefits from these devices. Some of the benefits of supportive
devices for social and healthcare organisations and patients are given as under:

Affordability and availability of devices - These are very necessary so that patients can
easily access these devices for taking supports from it. Healthcare organisations can't provide
these devices without mandatory funds and staff member. Whereas, if these devices will be
affordable or available at lower prices then the patients or disabled persons will get services from
the healthcare organisations at the time of their requirement. Even government is also providing
assistance to the healthcare institutions and firms to implement such devices in the workplace
through offering subsidy to them.
Easy recovering- It also helpful in recovery process. It is seems that various disabilities
are temporary and can be recovered in easy manner if the disable person gets proper treatment
and use assistive devices. With the help of these devices individuals can easily live a normal life
and taking speedy recovery of their disabilities. With having disabilities, persons can't done their
daily activities in same way as before. But with the help of assistive devices, they can done their
regular activities without taking support from others.
Sally can gain benefits of these devices through using them in her daily activities. With
the help of assistive devices she will be able in typing, holding her lunch tray etc. Even PDA will
be helpful for her in raising memory skills so that she can take better decisions for the next
activities (Kantaris, 2018).
PART 2
2.1: Explain health and safety considerations in the use of technologies in health and social care
Supportive technologies provides various benefits to the patients and healthcare
organisations. As these devices are new in market and there are several complicated cases and
results of using this devices which are founded through various tests. These tests are conducted
for knowing the effectiveness of these devices but this studies are conducted for short term use.
There are various considerations which have to considered by the users while using these
technologies. Some of them are given as follows:
It has been seems that there are long term effect on the health of patients after using these
supportive devices. In the case of any injury, It is very important to keep eye on the long term
influences on health of patients through using these devices. Some time, these devices can
interrupt the recovery process of the individuals. In a case of injury or accident, these devices can
provide more help in the recovery process therefore, it is very essential to introduce these devices

in an effective manner and make them more efficient and effective so that it can be used in
recovery process instead of interrupting. These devices can't be use for those patients who are
referred in trauma or suffering from injuries. Therefore, it is very essential to make proper safety
check of these devices because low quality devices can enhance the side effects or harm the
patients. Without proper checking security, it can also enhances the chances of disabilities in the
individuals.
In the context of Sally, she was prescibeded to use different technical devices in order to
improving her disabilities of double vision or ankle-foot orthosis. But when she decided to use
these devices her conditions were not improved whereas, other problems which are related with
typing driving or memory loss was arised. The main reason behind these problems are not
consideration of safety regulations and also improper usage of devices.
2.2: Discuss ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies
Ethics are defined as a set of rules or regulations which states that whether the thinkings
are morally good or not. Healthcare organisations should consider various ethical policies while
implementing or launching a technology. New technology is always supportive and provide
effectiveness in executing the tasks so that profitability or productivity can be enhanced. Some of
the ethical principles are given as under which can be used for taking assistance from the
assistive technologies in ethical manner.
Autonomy says that patients have right of choosing the right treatment and diagnosis
procedure as per their convenience.
Beneficence is also an ethical principle which states that Health organisation or doctor
should provide all the necessary informations or benefits of the treatment process to the patients
or whom the treatment will provided (Gangavati, 2011).
Non-maleficence is states that doctor or medical practitioner should analyse the risk
related with treatment and also get en-sureness about privacy or safety should not be disclosed
with anyone.
Justice is states that health organisations or doctors should treated every patients in equal
manner without using any biasness or discrimination.
In the case study of Sally, she was provided a Personal digital assistant due to which she
was more dependent on electronic devices and her problem of memory loss was more enhanced.
In addition to this, Medical practitioner should take ensureness that her privacy or information

should not be disclosed with other persons while using these devices. Supportive technologies
are not good in increasing the morale or confidence of the patients because when they uses these
technologies they will feels that they have disabilities. PDA prescribed to her which can lead to
sharing the information of services or even the Hospital staff who has to check her PDA on the
regular basis without any errors.
2.3 Explain the impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health and social
care services, organisations and care workers
There are various kinds of supportive technical devices which are available for the
patients who have own positive and negative influences. Therefore, it is very essential for the
health organisations to analyse the influences of these devices on the users and also take surety
about its profitability for the end users. There are various kinds of supportive devices such as
insulin implanter, ventilator, ear implant, electric wheelchairs etc. which can be used by medical
practitioners for treating their patients in more effective manner.
Positive influences of assistive technology are, it helps the organisations in maintaining
the quality of services which are provided to the patients and will be leads to the good reputation
of firm. Healthcare organisations can also get benefits from these technologies because it will
save the time of clinical hours and cost of institutions which can be used by them in other
development procedures. With the help of these assistive technologies, fraud practices and issues
from the workplace will be removed which provide beneficial results for the patients,
organisation or staff members of healthcare firms (Beresford,2011).
Whereas there are some negative aspects of these technologies, for implementing these
technologies in an effective manner Healthcare organisation should provide proper training to
their employees so that they will be able in using technologies in proper manner. With the help
of this training, resources, time, efforts of firm will be utilise in optimal manner. For
implementing such devices for performing daily activities a huge amount of funds and cost are
needed which can't be afford by every disabled person. Therefore, it has been recommended to
Sally that she should make a proper cost analysis so that technological devices can be adopted
which are efficienct and affordable for her in living independently. These are the some positive
and negative impacts which can influences both organisation or patients to utilise assistive
technology for supporting independent living.

PART 3
3.1: Identify Jane’s specific needs in order to support Jane to live independently
Jane is suffering from various problems like learning disabilities, limited mobility and
chronic health problems which consists of Epilepsy and diabetes type 2. Because of these
problems her memory loss, confusion or numbness in hand or foot are enhanced due to which
she can't handles her daily routine activities in more effective manner. Jane is a 59 year old
woman and who is handing more than single work in her daily routine activities. But because of
these health difficulties she is facing inefficiency in handling these activities.
She needs proper bed rest and treatment for spending her life in comfortable manner. It is
very essential for the medical practitioner to analyse every complications of the case and give
proper treatment to her so that expected results will be recieved in given time-frame. She is
facing various problems in doing her daily activities like washing, cleaning, cooking due to
memory loss, depression, less or no sleep etc. She was also fell on the floor because of heart
attrack and also does not reach at the emergency alarm which was located in her room for help.
She desired to live in Sunshine Sheltered Accommodation so that she can live her life in
independent manner (Cogan, 2014).
3.2: Make your own recommendations on how the Technology might support her independent
living arrangements
Jane is suffering from learning disability and diabetes type 2 due to which she was facing
various difficulties like memory loss, depression, confusion etc. in her daily life. Some of
assistive technologies can be used by her for managing her daily activities like sensors alarms,
reminders etc. which are briefly discussed as under:
Reminder assistance - It will be helpful for her in reminding any activity, place or time.
In this, the device is beeps after a specific time or entrance in a new place. With the help of it,
Jane will be handles her daily activities in an effective manner.
Sensors and alarms – These are more helpful for reminding her regarding various active
tasks due to which all the daily activities will be managed in proper manner. It will also assist her
in sensing events and alarm will provide how to respond the activities. Alarm is very helpful for
Jane in reminding unwanted events which are sensed by the sensors.

Intelligent wiring and switches - It will be more assistive for her because she is facing
memory loss difficulties in her daily routine. With the help of intelligent wiring and switches all
the electrical equipments will be controlled. In some cases, when individuals forget to switch off
the electric equipments through wiring or switches of like this, they will be switched off
automatically.
Smart toilet - These are very useful for examine the Blood pressure, Heart rate, sugar
level that are exist in their urine samples and provide information to the patients to get
consultation from the doctors. With the help of it, several other diseases will be prevented which
can create problems in near future for them.
From the above discussed technologies, it can be recommended to Jane that they should
make such arrangements in their house so that they can live independent life instead of
depending on other persons. With the help of these technologies, she will be able in living her
life in comfortable manner without any inconvenience (Mirza,2018).
3.3 Evaluate the usefulness of technology for Jane and also for other users of health and social
care services
Supportive technologies provides more benefits to the patients and other users who are
using health and social care services. Staff members of healthcare associations are not able in
handling all the individuals at a single time. Therefore, they also uses assistive technologies in
handling all disabled patients like Jane or Sally. But these persons are can't determined as those
individuals who are getting benefits from using such devices whereas, both patients and staff
members of healthcare associations gaining support from these devices. These technologies also
supports to patients in reducing their disabilities. If individuals are facing difficulties in walking
then Healthcare institutes will provide them walker instead of health care provider.
These staff members will be serve other patients without worrying about those patients
who having issues in walking. It will also reduce the cost or time of healthcare organisations. It
has been seems that medical services are rapidly growing and providing support to the disabled
persons like Jane and Sally in living independent life. Some other benefits of emerging
developments are, In Modern era, patients have no need to go towards doctor for discussing the
problems whereas, they can discuss their problems to the doctors or practitioners through their
mobile phones. That will save their time or money and their difficulties will be resolved in easy
manner. With using remote testing or diagnosis, disabled persons can take treatment from

anywhere without going to any clinic or hospitals. Through these technologies, Healthcare firms
can treat more patients in a single time in more effective manner (Fiotes, 2017).
CONCLUSION
From the above report, It has been concluded that use of supportive technologies are
very beneficial for the patients like Jane and Sally for improving their disable conditions. These
devices can provide both impacts like positive or negative to the life of disabled persons such as
if there is no knowledge of using such devices then it can impact on their daily activities in
negative manner. Therefore, it is very important to take proper guidance and knowledge before
using such assistive devices so that life of disable person can be improved and they can live their
life in independent manner.

REFERENCES
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Online
Barriers to the use of technology 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<https://online.tarleton.edu/Home_files/EDTC_538/Week_2/Week_24.html>