Pearson BTEC HNC Unit 20: Supporting Independent Living Report

This report, submitted for a Pearson BTEC HNC in Health and Social Care, Unit 20, focuses on supporting independent living through technology. It assesses how technology aids users of health and social care services, highlighting examples of assistive technology like wheelchairs and hearing aids. The report analyzes barriers to technology adoption, such as implementation costs and staff training, using a case study of a patient with Multiple Sclerosis. It also outlines the benefits for both organizations and users, including improved efficiency and patient outcomes. Furthermore, the report considers health and safety, ethical considerations like patient confidentiality, and the impact of emerging technologies. It examines specific needs for independent living, offering recommendations for technology integration, and evaluates the overall usefulness of technology in this context.

Unit 20 Title: Supporting
Independent Living

Contents
Unit 20 Title: Supporting Independent Living......................................................1
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................3
LO 1..............................................................................................................3
1.1 Assessment of how technology can be used to support users of health and social care
services in independent living...........................................................................3
1.2 Barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care services....4
1.3 Benefits of these technologies to health and social care organisations and their users.. 5
LO 2..............................................................................................................6
2.1 Health and safety considerations in the use of technologies in health and social care.. .6
2.2 Ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies....................................6
2.3 The impact of recent and emerging technological developments............................7
LO 3..............................................................................................................8
3.1 Specific needs of an individual requiring support to live independently...................8
3.2 Recommendations for how technologies might support the independent living
arrangements................................................................................................8
3.3 Usefulness of technology for users of health and social care services......................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Independent living is an effective way of looking at disability and society which helps
in providing equal opportunities and supporting people across worldwide. Independent
living is also referred to as the choice of an individual to live their life in accordance with
their own set guidelines.
This study will highlight, various technologies which can be effectively used to
support the users of health care and social care services. This study will also analyse and
evaluate barriers to use technology in order to support the users of health care and social care
services to live independently. This study also examines the various benefits and advantages
of using technology in health and social care company. This study further understands the
implications of development in technology and also critically determines various
considerations in health and social care. It will also evaluate specific needs and
recommendations for technologies to support independent living for users of health and social
care services.
LO 1
1.1 Assessment of how technology can be used to support users of health and social care
services in independent living.
Independent living is an effective way of looking at disability and society which helps
in providing equal opportunities and supporting people across worldwide. Independent
living is also referred to as the choice of an individual to live their life in accordance with
their own set guidelines(Al-Shaqi,,Mourshed and Rezgui, 2016).
The users of health and social care comprises of patients who are disabled and
impaired. Technology is changing dynamically and can be beneficial for the people with
some disabilities and helps in higher results and outcomes. Older and disabled individuals
focus on determining various effective technologies which help in independent living.
Technology is useful to effectively support health and social care and also the users of health
and social care. It helps individuals in dealing with their disabilities. Technology helps in
access to advances in order to people get equitable treatment. With proper assistance of
innovative technology people will be benefited from getting effective medical treatment and
precaution. Technology has structured the social attitude of individuals, and people are

treated with equitable medical treatment without any biasness(Kruse, Schulz and LADC,
2019)
There leads to various cultural and social shifts which leads to advancement in
technology.
Assistive technology is any device, product and equipment which helps in improvising the
various functional capabilities of impaired and disabled person. Assistive technology helps in
supporting disabled and impaired individuals which helps in supporting independent
individuals. Assistive technology helps in improving functional capabilities of the person.
Assistive technology helps individual in performing task that helps in performing task with
ease which they cannot perform without the support of technology. The specialized and
improved technology helps in promoting independence and also reduces the need of various
other supports (Coyle, Munly and Heyn, 2018).
Some examples of assistive technology includes, wheelchairs, visual /aids, prostheses,
hearings aids and specialized computer hardware and software that add to mobility, vision,
hearing or communication capacities. Users can helps in improvising the quality of various
health and public activities.
1.2 Barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care services.
There are various possible barriers which help in supporting various users of health
and social care services (HSCS) to live independently. There is a right procedure which helps
in determining various effective ways which helps in getting proper procedure and fit to
attain better results and outcomes. Sally has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
where it requires effective HSCS with the help of technology. It is very crucial to detect
Multiple Sclerosis at an early stage. It also has higher chance of relapse, progression and
remission of the disease (Giust and Valle-Riestra, 2017).
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) does not have any full proof care to this disease, which
results in higher chances of various disabilities and symptoms associated with MS.
Inexperienced person treating the patient also results in ineffective treatment and
outcomes. Giving proper training to individual act as a barrier to the company which results
in ineffective operations. Getting access to advance technology also act as a barrier for health
and social care organization. It leads to higher implementation cost and takes time to train
individuals to use that technology effectively. It also leads to higher maintenance cost which
is also a major barrier to use technology in order to support HSCS.

Breakdown of technology is also a barrier for the business. There is a high chances of
failure in technology which makes it complicated to function (Stuck and Rogers, 2019). This
puts the limitation on the use of Assistive technology which results in lower operational
efficiency and standards.
1.3 Benefits of these technologies to health and social care organisations and their users.
Assistive technology is designed to provide support and effectively take care of the
needs in order to recover patients who are suffering from disability (Montgomery, Cusack
and Gabrielian, 2017). Health and social care are in great benefit to invent such innovative
technologies.
Easy availability of these technologies and devices and government offers subsidy
and no tax on such products results in cheaper prices. This leads to higher operational
standards and efficiency. This also helps in better recover process. Assistive technology helps
individual in quick recovery process to attain perfect health again. This is also beneficial in
providing best recovery process to the individuals. Integration of advanced technology helps
in disabled person to live their life independently and also to live a normal life. Assistive
technology helps individual to perform the task on their own (Mullen, Biebel and Ellison,
2016). It helps in carrying out the activities efficiently. It is also beneficial to HSCS
organization in reducing the waiting time for the individual by providing them services at
their own residential place.
Technology helps in effective care planning and self management techniques with
improved communication. It is also beneficial in better patient management and effective aid
in handling patients. It is also very beneficial in delivering challenging physical assistance to
the patients. It is also very beneficial in saving cost and resources by tackling large number of
care seekers and also helps in empowering health and social care.
In the given case, Sally needs assistance which ill helps in speedy recovery which results in
higher operational standards and efficiency. It will help Sally in performing her usual routine
work and perform all the task independently by effectively integrating assistance technology
(Filinson and Maigret, 2017).
Use of technology in HSC organization helps in supporting living and it helps
individual in employing personal assistance to effectively carry out the activities. Technology
is useful in networking various support groups to prove assisted care to the patients. It also
helps in giving timely medication and accessing to the information. It is very useful in
automation of activities which results in higher operational standards. For example, Eye patch

was useful for Sally in providing vision back to the normal and PDA helped them in
accessing information in relation to the health and social care and various other information.
LO 2
2.1 Health and safety considerations in the use of technologies in health and social care.
Innovation plays a very crucial role helps in providing various effective tools in n
efficient manner. The health and safety Act, 1974 states helps in effectively using the
technology in health and social care which results in better results and outcomes. Assistive
technology helps in providing various health benefits to the disabled and impaired patients.
Assistive technology helps individuals in carrying out their day to day activities which results
in long term beneficiaries to the individual. Assistive technology helps in quick recovery of
the patients (Taylor, Cobigo and Ouellette‐Kuntz, 2019). The health and safety Act, 1974
helps in protecting the interest and needs of the patients. The employer of the organization
has an obligation to carry out the activities in a systematic manner which helps in attainment
of better results and outcomes. It helps in taking necessary measures to protect the employees
and patients in the health and social care. It helps in keeping the place clean, sanitized
equipments, trained employees, proper temperature and ventilation, etc.
Employers duty is to effectively take care of the employees and must provide a safe
and positive place within which one can work. The working area should be safe and free. The
family member of the client should be given proper training and instructions to operate
certain set of devices. The device must be set with utmost care and must installed properly in
order to deliver the best results and does not cause any harm to the patient.
Sally has been provided with multiple set of devices in order to live her life
independently. The Spinner knob will help Sally to drive as the right side of both lower and
upper body are not working properly.
2.2 Ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies.
Ethics have been considered as the tool for conducting various effective functions. It is
useful in setting certain set of guidelines to carry out the activity. The ethical practice helps in
providing set of guidelines and rules which results in better results and outcomes. Assistive
technology helps in improving the sense of quality and control and also leads to better
standard of life (Kaplan and Salzer, 2016). There are various set of ethical principles which

are to be considered while taking strategic decision for the health and social care
organization. Some of the ethical consideration which h should be considered are as follows:
 Right to self- determination: The patient has the ethical right to choose its own
course of action.
 Confidentiality: The individual has the right to make its personal information
confidential.
Assistive technology helps in living their life independently. However, there is also a terror
that it wires the cut back method in the public and also promotes less individual contact in
society. Assistive technology makes use of computer for sharing of data and it is vital to
make sure that such data remain confidential.
Everyone should keep in mind the ethical foundation of using technology. In case of Sally,
technology may become a solution or a threat at the same time. It mainly depends upon how
one perceives it and tackle her living with the help of such technologies. The specialist of the
HSCS must focus on giving all the necessary details about how one should use the
technology (Taggart and Hanna-Trainor, 2017).
The key ethical issue that should be taken into consideration is
that the confidentiality of the service user should be maintained. In case of Sally, She has
been given the Personal digital assistant as personal support. All her private facts and
information about her health conditions, daily routines, medicine, etc should be kept private.
Any sensitive or personal data can be exposed with the help of technology which in turn
breach the policy of private data as regulated under data protection act. Security systems must
be lay down for authorising those technological devices and the data should be available only
for a selected set of individuals.
2.3 The impact of recent and emerging technological developments.
The development in health and social care helps organization in delivering the best
possible results and outcomes by effectively training their employees. Technology helps in
bringing various health benefits to the patients or users of technology. It helps in supporting
the clinical staff in automating the task and keeping the records with full confidentiality. It is
also very useful in freeing up the resources for various other important cause in the Health
and social care system. Improved technology help in increasing the health and safety which
helps in promoting superior quality care to the individual.
The emergence of advanced and innovating technology may also lead to rise in
unhealthy rivalry competition against competitors. Technology has a very significant impact

on the employees of the organization, as it helps in increasing their skills, knowledge in order
to deliver best quality services and outcomes (Molinsky, Herbert and Forsyth, 2019). It helps
in saving time and also improves the safety work by boosting up the level of confidence. On
the contrary, the advancement in technology may also lead to loss of job and employment.
The health and social care should focus on continuously developing the health care facilities
in the organization. The current technology has a significant positive impact on the society
which helps in longevity of the patients. It helps in data exchanging, development of the staff
needs and also helps in managing work load. It helps in scheduling the various activities in
order to manage to work effectively. The technologies are getting enhanced with time and the
confidentiality concern is a major issue. The health care policies are more realistic, long-
lasting and consistent for the use in health care devices.
LO 3
3.1 Specific needs of an individual requiring support to live independently.
In the specific guidelines, it helps in identifying specific needs of the James. He is
suffering from learning disability, limited mobility and chronic health problems which mainly
include Epilepsy and Diabetes type 2. People who are suffering from learning outcomes must
effectively understand the complicated information and it will also focuses on
communicating effectively with others (Francis, Duke and Chiu, 2017). People with learning
disability have higher social care and health needs in order to get better support and care.
 Physical need: Physical needs comprises of food, drink shelter and warmth. In order
to live a happy life we need a balanced which contains all the necessary nutrients
which are needed ti the body to function properly.
 Health need: Health care needs mainly comprises of any physical, mental,
developmental, sensory, behavioural, emotional or cognitive impairment, limiting
condition, etc. that needs medical treatment. The health care intervention helps in
providing various developed services in order to attain best results and outcomes and
improved health benefits.
 Social need: These needs are referred to as the need to have effective associations and
relation with others. It is an effective need as it helps in reducing various emotional
concern like depression and anxiety.

3.2 Recommendations for how technologies might support the independent living
arrangements.
Integration and adaption of various assistant technologies helps individual in living
their life independently in order to carry out work which are to be performed with utmost
accuracy and efficiency (Gangadharan, Bhaumik and Gumber, 2016).
Assistive technology helps James in living his life independently by performing various
functions on its own.
 Movement Assistive Technology (MAT) – Sensors and digital technology, that can
be worn by James and helps him in his movements in case any further complication
arises in the particular situation.
 Tele-care – It helps in providing all set of medical assistance and care to the
individual which are delivered at the home step of James. It will also be very useful in
giving him alert about any emergency situation in his surroundings and also suggest
the best likely way save his life in case of floods, falls, heat, gas, fire, etc.
 Smart toilet: This technology is used to help individual to regularly check their blood
pressure, sugar level and heart rate in the urine and effectively give all the necessary
details to supervised doctor. This tool is used to prevent risk of raising any other
disease and also helps in keeping proper track of the record in order to gain evaluate
the health benefits of the patient.
 Computers and smart gadgets: This technology is very useful for individual in everyday
life.
 This helps James in connecting with family members and doctors. He can also get
extra helping in work with the help of computer machine (Montgomery, Cusack and
Gabrielian, 2017). With the help of computer and smart gadgets James can handle
most of the routine work effectively and efficiently.
3.3 Usefulness of technology for users of health and social care services.
Development of new and advanced technology has lead in improvement of skills,
knowledge and helps in better treatment of an individual in order to attain higher results and
outcomes. Advancement in technology has lead to change in social attitude and behaviour
towards impartial medical treatment of individuals with disabilities (Taylor, Cobigo and
Ouellette‐Kuntz, 2019). It also helps in overcoming barriers which helps in advancement in

medical and social care services. Technology helps individual live the life more meaningfully
with utmost care and importance. Assistive technology is used in order to help patients with
disability for better learning & trainings, smoother movement and better communication with
people across the globe, etc. Technology helps in employing persona; assistance which helps
in carrying out the activities which is difficult to be performed by the person with some sort
of disability.
Assistive technology is very useful in various key problem s and deliver best possible results
to the patients (Taggart and Hanna-Trainor, 2017). It also leads to low support of human
assistance by automating the task which can be performed by the individual effectively.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it has been summarized that, Independent living is an effective
way of looking at disability and society which helps in providing equal opportunities and
supporting people across worldwide. It has been examined that, Technology is changing
dynamically and can be beneficial for the people with some disabilities and helps in higher
results and outcomes. Furthermore, this study evaluates, Assistive technology is any device,
product and equipment which helps in improvising the various functional capabilities of
impaired and disabled person. Assistive technology helps individual in quick recovery
process to attain perfect health again. Further this study evaluates, The health and safety
Act, 1974 and various considerations in the use of technology in HSCS. This study further
demonstrates, ethical consideration in the use of technology. Ethics have been considered as
the tool for conducting various effective functions. It is useful in setting certain set of
guidelines to carry out the activity. Furthermore, this study also concludes, impact of recent
and emerging technologies on HSC organization. It also critically examines the specific
needs of the individual which are required to live life independently. It also demonstrates
various technologies which helps in living life independently. Lastly, this study also
highlights usefulness of technology in HSCS.

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Online
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