Report: Technology Use for Independent Living in Health & Social Care

This report delves into the application of technology to support independent living within health and social care contexts. It begins with an introduction to the concept of independent living and the role of technology in enabling individuals to conduct their daily routines. The report then presents two case scenarios, Sally and James, highlighting their respective health challenges and specific needs. Task 1 focuses on the use of various technologies, including stand-alone devices and shut-off devices, to facilitate independent living and analyzes the barriers to their adoption, such as lack of funds, knowledge, and resistance to technology. The benefits of technology for both users and healthcare organizations are also discussed. Task 2 addresses health and safety considerations, including legislation and risk assessment, and ethical considerations, such as autonomy and beneficence. The impact of technological developments on health and social care services is also explored. Task 3 provides specific recommendations for technologies that could support independent living for individuals like Sally and James, emphasizing the importance of tailored solutions. The report concludes with a summary of the key findings and a list of references.

Supporting
Independent Living

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Use of technology for supporting users in living independently in health & social care.....3
1.2 Analyse barriers to use technology to support users.............................................................4
1.3 Benefits of technologies to users and health & social care organisations.............................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Health and safety considerations in use of technologies.......................................................6
2.2 Ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies...................................................7
2.3 Impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health & social care
services, organisations and care workers....................................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Specific needs of an individual requiring support to live independently..............................9
3.2 Recommendations for how technologies might support an independent living
arrangements...............................................................................................................................9
3.3 Useful of technology for users of health & social care services.........................................10
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Supporting independent living refers to set of services and products to make an individual
capable to conduct their regular routine work by their own. It includes various technological aids
and other facilities which are helpful for disable people to complete their daily tasks without help
of others. However, care professionals prescribe effective technical aids to patients to make them
independent (Qureshi, 2018). The present report is based in two case scenarios of patients named
sally and James with their health problems. Sally is facing problems of tingling in her left foot,
double vision and further memory problems whereas James has a problem of learning disability,
limited mobility, epilepsy and diabetes type 2. This assignment will focus on use of technology
for supporting user to live independently and their benefits. It will also include health & safety
considerations while using technology and ethical principle for the same. The specific needs of
an individual and recommendations for desired technology is given below.
TASK 1
1.1 Use of technology for supporting users in living independently in health & social care
The technology plays an important role in health & social as it facilitate to increase
effectiveness of clinical practices and support patients to live in more comfortable manner. It
consist utilisation of desired technological aid which is helpful for an individual to conduct their
daily routine work by their own and live independently. However, independent living of a
disable person can be facilitate with the help of providing effective technological devices which
are in their control to use (Park, 2019). Moreover, the utilisation of technology is helpful for
service users to spend their lives independently. In case of Sally, she is facing several problems
according to which required number of assistive devices are utilised by her including dressing
sticks, toothbrush handles and kitchen aids like jar openers, recipe card holders, large handled
pots & pans etc. some of technological use for support independent living that are given below –
Stand alone devices – This can be described as those technological devices which are
responsible for facilitating an individual to stand independently and conduct related tasks easily.
It includes an equipment which alert the carer in same building and it consist calendar clocks,
memo minders, picture telephones & touch lamps. Meanwhile, it involves battery operated

equipments like gas detectors and shut off valves for supporting an individual. In case of sally,
these technical devices can be used by her to stay independently.
For shut off devices – The shut off devices refers to arrangements that are formulate in
order yo reconnect the supply of electricity. It is necessary to regular check such devices by an
expert in order to make sure about its proper use for supporting an individual (Mitchell and et. al,
2018). Meanwhile, this technical device is also supporting in case of Sally to spend her life in
more comfortable manner.
Range of switches – There are various kinds of switches that are available for helping
disable person in order to conduct several activities easily. It consist switches related to finger,
mini vibrating, lights, music, sip & puff switches, head, sound activated and movements sensor
switch, however, these are helpful to a patient for conducting their daily routine activities at
home to live independently. According to case of Sally, these technological aids are supportive
and she is already using various technical devices dressing stick, large handled pots & pans and
knob spinner in vehicle.
1.2 Analyse barriers to use technology to support users
Technological use in health & social is very useful in terms of providing support to
patient by using related devices and improving effectiveness of clinical practices. It is beneficial
to provide immediate treatment within limited duration in terms of making an individual well
being. However, it is necessary for healthcare organisations to utilise appropriate technologies
which are helpful to provide proper treatment to disable and highly complicated health problem
to make them disease free (Nguyen and et. al, 2018). Moreover, it has been analysed the re are
several problem in terms of utilising effective technology in health care that are required to
solved for gaining desired benefits. According to case of Sally, she is not able to use technical
devices than she got learning from technology specialist to use required equipments in proper
way. There are several barriers that are observed while using technology in which few of them
are explained further –
Lack of funds – This consist the barrier of insufficient money in organisations and
patients which create a problem to afford desired technology for treating particular health
problem. Initially, every health care organisation is not able to adopt expensive technological
aids for supporting patients to become well being. They do not have much budget to provide
more advanced technical facilities to people for improving their health condition. However, some

times funds become barriers when patient are not having much budget of their salaries to afford
costly technical devices to remain independent.
Lack of knowledge – The lack of knowledge is also responsible for developing a huge
problem in terms of utilising effective technology to gain desired benefits for maintaining better
health. It is observed that people has no idea about technical benefits for their health and they do
not know about utilisation of various technological aids (Angell and et. al, 2019). However,
patient have no information that how to use such devices to live independently the it is required
to specialist to provide them proper training about the same. In case of Sally, technology
specialist always remain in touch with her and provide information about correct using of desired
technical aids for gaining benefits that support independent living.
Resistance to technology – This involves the prevention of adopting technologies from
staff because they think that technological systems are very complicated to use in their daily
working. It is necessary for health care organisations to provide appropriate learning and training
to make them confident for using new technology in proper way. Meanwhile, patients also show
resistance to utilise technical aids because they have fear with them and care professionals
should make them capable to use them. It is necessary to appoint technology specialist as like as
in case of Sally to make them able to prefer technical devices for living independently.
1.3 Benefits of technologies to users and health & social care organisations
Technological aspects are very important in terms of carrying out care practices and
procedures which facilitate to maximise patient outcomes for making them feeling comfortable.
It is necessary for every care homes or organisation to apply new and advanced technology at
work place because it will facilitate to increase abilities of staff, satisfaction of patients and
profitability of organisation (Corbett and Barton, 2018). However, it involves biotechnology,
bioengineering, software and other technical instruments which are favourable to conduct
treatment procedure in appropriate manner. Meanwhile, technical aids used by Sally provides
benefits to her so that she is bale to Moreover, there are several benefits which are gained by
technology in health & social care in which some of them are discussed here.
 Initially, technology provide support to an individual for raking their medicines at correct
time and help to locate the lost item.
 Secondly, technical aids are responsible for orienting an individual that it is day o night
time.

 Thirdly, technical devices are helpful for people as they assist a person to phone a friend
or relative by utilising preprogrammed numbers or pictures.
 However, it is helpful to switch on lights automatically if a person gets up at right time
and switch off gas automatically if it has been left unlit.
 Moreover, technological aids facilitate alert or monitoring centre that the person needs
assistance.
 Additionally, technology provides several electronic devices including stair lifts, electric
wheelchairs, tele care and many more (Kantaris, 2018).
TASK 2
2.1 Health and safety considerations in use of technologies
Technological devices are beneficial for patients and care professionals when they are
utilised in correct way. It is very important to make sure about health & safety while using
technical aids or machines because inappropriate condition of them may create dangerous
situation. However, it is necessary for health care organisations to follow require regulations and
maintain safety policies while using technologies properly. Technology specialist has been
appoint in case of Sally to guide her for using technical aids appropriately and remain in touch
with them to solve further relevant problems.
Health & safety at work place (1974) – This can be considered as legislation governing
health & safety at work place in a country. It provides guidelines to overall organisation
including health care for maintaining secure work place. However, it consist proper description
of general responsibilities of every person like employer, employees, owners, managers and
maintainers of health & safety at work place (Kao and et. al, 2018). It is necessary or care
professionals and relevant authorities to make sure about health & safety while using and
prescribing technical aids to sick people. In case of Sally, her technology specialist and other
physicians should take care of her while using technological machines to examine her health and
provide proper learning to adopt desired technical aid properly.
Risk assessment – The risk assessments can be described as a procedure in which care
professionals determine relevant risk factors that may create complex situations and remain alert
to solve them immediately. It is essential for care providers to conduct an appropriate risk
assessment related to specific technology used in particular case of patients to make sure about

their health & safety. According to case of Sally, her physicians appoint technology specialist to
make her learn about proper use of technical aids to remain comfortable and live independently.
Making work place safe & healthy – This consist to establish effective policies and
rules at organisational level in order to maintaining safety while using technological machines or
equipments at workplace. It consist the policy for care professionals to visit home of patients to
make sure about appropriate condition of technical devices (Gilfillan, 2019). Assistive
technology providers should be appointed in hospitals as in case of Sally who make people able
to utilise technologies in proper way.
2.2 Ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies
Ethical considerations refers to several norms and standards which are helpful to analyse
different between right & wrong for making appropriate attempt. It is necessary for care
professionals to obey desired ethical considerations at the time of using assistive technologies for
sick or disable people. However, it is essential for medical professionals associated with case of
Sally to follow ethical norms like autonomy, beneficence, non- maleficence and justice which is
facilitate to use technologies in correct manner.
Ethical principles – This consist autonomy, beneficence, non- maleficence and justice
which should be obeyed while using technology for patient welfare. However, beneficence
encourage to work for benefits of patients and non- maleficence consist to never harm them.
Moreover, autonomy consist to provide right to an individual for making choice of treating
process and justice is moral obligation act fairly with them (MacIntyre, 2018).
Ethical approach to assistive technology – In case of Sally, her care professionals
should follow desired ethical approaches while providing technical aids for independent living.
It consist certain aspects like assessment, consent to use of assistive technology, risk associated
with specific technical aid, sourcing equipments, installation and social isolation & well being.
These are helpful to make sure safe use of technology and gain maximum benefits in context of
providing wellness to patient.
2.3 Impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health & social care services,
organisations and care workers
Technological advancements can be observed in every business industry including health
& social care as it is helpful for them to improve their services and earn better profits. It consist
various developments which are favourable in health care in terms of providing more effective

treatments for people and make their lives more comfortable. Meanwhile, recent & emerging
technological advancements in health care consist insulin implant, biotechnology,
bioengineering, ventilator, artificial limbs, cochlear implant (ear implant), pacemaker (hear
implant), electric wheelchair, adapted computes and hoists. In case of Sally, she is using Pocket
coach for remembering that 'what to do next' to spend her live independently. Overall these
technologies are supportive for sick people to overcome with their specific disability and gain a
comfortable life ahead. Technical aid are beneficial to make people independent and maintain
their comfort zone without help of others to spend their lives properly.
Positive impacts – The technology has some of positive impacts including enhancing
health and safety for staff to perform more effectively. It is helpful to boost up efficient of
overall professionals working in an organisation and save duration of time along with saving
entire cost (Franzosa, Tsui and Baron, 2018). However, technology is favourable because of
reducing death rates and pressure on emergency services which reduce chance of occurring
mistakes in health care organisations. Moreover, use of effective technological aspects is
supportive for promoting good quality of care services delivery for sick people. It is responsible
for improving brand image of a care organisation and facilitate to achieve competitive advantage
respectively. Technology facilitate increase in knowledge level and abilities of medical
practitioners which facilitate career development.
Negative impacts – This involves some of negative impacts of using technology
including high cost for equipments, training & development and maintenance which reduce
profitability. It consist high demand and pressure on health & social care organisations which is
not favourable for staff chance of drug errors get increased due to increase in work load (Verver
and et. al, 2018). It will create high expectations of employees and change in job roles and it may
leads to loss of jobs because technical aids perform role of one staff member.
Other impacts – This consist positive impact of improving quality of lives and longevity
of users. It involves negative effects that it may lead to isolation of customers and intrusion of
privacy.

TASK 3
3.1 Specific needs of an individual requiring support to live independently
The sick people have their own different health problem with related cause in order to
treat them with effective treatment process. It is necessary for care professionals to analyse
actual health issue of an individual and then establish an effective treatment plan for providing
appropriate care to make them healthy (Surakka and et. al, 2018). According to case of James, he
is suffering from learning disability, limited mobility, epilepsy and diabetes type 2. Recently, he
fell on the floor with a suspected heart attack and he was admitted in hospital nearly a month but
now he want to shift in his self contained flat in Sunshine Sheltered Accommodation to live
independently.
Initially, James requires electric wheelchair which is helpful to facilitate his mobility so
that patient can conduct his daily routine activities easily. It provides him support to avoid falls
and reduce isolation because he can go outside in neighbourhood to have a get together with
friends and neighbours. However, reducing risk of falls is responsible for avoiding the related
injuries which facilitate maintenance of better health. Secondly, it is necessary for care
professionals to provide an assistive technological device to James to make him remember
about taking medications of epilepsy and diabetes in control for improving health condition.
Problem of epilepsy is responsible for excessive and abnormal brain functioning which results
into seizures or periods of unusual behaviour, sensations and sometimes loss of awareness
(Vandevelde and et. al, 2018). This condition may facilitate that patient forget to take
medications some day which is not favourable for them. Moreover, he requires personal digital
assistant (PDA) which helps him know that 'what to do next' and spend his life independently
and comfortably in his flat in Sunshine Sheltered Accommodation.
3.2 Recommendations for how technologies might support an independent living arrangements
There are various kinds of technological aspects which can be used in health & social
care for improving better health condition of patient. It includes to determine specific technical
need of an individual according to their particular health problem of disability. Considering the
case of James, it has been recommended that electric wheelchairs are must for increasing his
mobility which is suitable to him to carrying out daily routine work in proper manner. It is very
important for the patient so that they can live independently which increase their comfort level as

well as confident that impact positively on entire health status of an individual. However, his
easy movement is helpful to him for going outside and enjoy the beauty of nature which give
him mental peace and calmness that reduce negative effects of epilepsy. It is suggested to
provide personal digital assistant (PDA) which is very effective as well as efficient to support
James in order to live independently along with carrying out his daily work in correct sequences
properly. It will provide help to patient to remembers for taking his medications on time in terms
of improving condition of diabetes and epilepsy. However, it is also helpful to provide him
information about 'what to do next' that facilitate to conduct every tasks of regular routine in an
appropriate way.
At the other hand, it has been recommended that different types of aids are also required
to be provide for James so that he can conduct daily activities at home properly. It consist to
render number of technical aids such as jar openers, recipe card holders and large handled pots &
pans, dressing stick and toothbrush handles (White and et. al, 2018). Moreover, several other
aids are essential for him including reminder messages, clacks & calenders, medications aids,
locators devices like sensors, tele care and movement assistive technology (MAT) to live
independently in Sunshine Sheltered Accommodation.
3.3 Useful of technology for users of health & social care services
Technology is very useful for services users in health & social care because it is helpful
to improve their health condition very soon. Effective technological machines and equipments
can be used while diagnosing and sharing information about patient among team of care
professionals for making accurate decision of treatment. However, it will facilitate to provide
appropriate medication and treatment to James in order to gain better patient outcomes.
Meanwhile, utilisation of technology in health care is helpful to maintain accuracy of patient
information which plays and important role to avoid drug errors and relevant mistakes by
practitioners.
Initially, technological aspects are beneficial for users as it improve the quality of life of
patient. Secondly, it is helpful to James for remaining at home independently by conducting daily
work properly. Thirdly, it is helpful for professionals conduct remote testing and diagnosis with
treatment is possible. However, technological development is useful for increasing effectiveness
of clinical practices as well as patient outcomes. Moreover, it is technology facilitate to improve

physical disability of people by providing artificial limbs to facilitate functioning and facilitate
independent living of people.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that supporting independent living can be
described as use of effective medical facilities to live without help of others. It include to
conduct daily routine work of an individual by their own and live independently by using
required devices & equipments. However, it includes use of technology including stand alone
devices, for shut off devices and range of switches to facilitate independent living of patients.
Moreover, it consist health and safety considerations health & safety at work place (1974), risk
assessment and making work place safe & healthy along with ethical considerations like
autonomy, beneficence, non- maleficence, justice & ethical approach to assistive technology.

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