Health and Social Care Report: Supporting Independent Living

This report delves into the application of technology to support independent living for individuals within the health and social care sector. It examines the use of assistive technologies like gas sensors, smoke detectors, and telecare systems, illustrating their benefits and addressing potential barriers such as financial constraints and user reluctance. The report analyzes health and safety considerations, ethical implications, and the impact of technological advancements on care services and workers. Through a case study of Mrs. Johnson, who is experiencing forgetfulness, the report identifies specific needs and recommends technological solutions. The report concludes by evaluating the overall usefulness of technology in enhancing the quality of life and promoting independence for health and social care users.

Supporting Independent
Living in Health and
Social Care

Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Task 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 Analyse 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........................................................................................................................................5
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Explain health and safety considerations in the use of technologies in health and social
care.........................................................................................................................................6
2.2 Discuss ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies.................................7
2.3 Explain the impacts of recent and emerging technological developments on health and
social care services, organisations and care workers..............................................................8
Task 3...............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Identify specific needs of an individual requiring support to live independently............9
3.2 Make recommendations for how technologies might support the independent living
arrangements...........................................................................................................................9
3.3 Evaluate the usefulness of technology for users of health and social care services.......10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................12

Introduction
Supportive health and social care services given to a disabled person whether he or she is
disabled from physical or mental aspects, can help in enhancing the chances of the patient to live
the life in her or his own way without taking help from any individual like a care taker, a family
member and so on. Living an independent life is something that every single person seeks for
whether the person is fit or disabled and in order to support free life (Fischinger and et. al.,
2016), government and other health care agencies of United Kingdom has taken a range of
initiatives like they have started funding individual for assistive care unit related technologies
and so on. In present context, initial section of the report will be focusing on a particular case of
Mrs. Johnson who is dealing with forgetfulness and disoriented problems.
Also, this section will be considering the different range of technologies that can help or
support users of health and social care services in living life independently some of the barriers
will also be discussed and the benefits as well. On the other hand, the next section of this report I
will be focusing on health and safety considerations, ethical considerations while utilising
assistive technologies and lastly impact of recent and emerging technological developments over
healthcare services, care workers and organisations. In the last phase of the report, a case study
has also been considered of Joseph who was dealing with dementia where the range of needs for
support to live independently life will be discussed and recommendations will also be given on
the devices that may help Joseph to continuously living his independent life. Lastly, usefulness
of technology will also be presented in this report.
Task 1
1.1 Explain how technology can be used to support users of health and social care services in
living independently
As mentioned by Lotfi and et. al., (2018), supporting users of health and social care
services while focusing on independent living can be considered as the ability that helps a patient
to conduct all the daily tasks without taking any sort of help from care givers. On the other hand,
it has been found that government of United Kingdom has taken ample number of initiatives in
order to make individuals who are dealing with a particular or a range of disabilities and this is
where assistive technology is considered to be one of the crucial element that was considered by
government for better outcomes.

Based on the information given by foundation for assistive technology, this type of
Technology can be defined as any sort of tool or device or a system which helps in supporting
disabled people and also it supports old age people as well who are trying their level best to live
an independent life. In present case scenario where Mrs. Johnson has started facing difficulties
like increase in forgetfulness and disorientated (initial stage of Dementia), it can be said that
there are various assistive technologies that were implied at Mrs Johnson house where her
daughter and son agreed on installing a gas sensor, radio smoke detector, cut off valve, lifeline
telecare alarm unit, and door alert for the back door. As Mrs Johnson was dealing with
forgetfulness, the risk to her life was high and with the help of the above mentioned assistive
technology aspects could help her in in reducing the risk to minimal and this could be understood
with the very good example of radio smoke detector where if the house in which Mrs. Johnson is
living somehow catch fire then the smoke detector will effectively start extinguishing the fire and
this can be considered as a life saviour assistive technology that would reduce the risks to
minimal even at the time of living life independently. On the other hand, another example can be
considered over here is of door alert for the back door where she may get to know about any
activity takes place like someone entering the house from the back door and so on (Soja and et.
al., 2019).
Including this, government has also supported users of health and social care services towards
living life independently in this could be understood with an example where the initiative that
was taken has specifically brought an offence towards discriminating on ground of disability.
This initiative was considered to be the support towards equal employment opportunity to the
disabled people has well which was considered as a problem before.
1.2 Analyse barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care services in
living independently.
Considering the case of Mrs. Johnson where she was dealing with forgetfulness and
disorientated, there are a range of barriers that can be seen at the time of utilising technology in
order to support her in relation with health and social care services. In present context, the primal
barrier that came in front of utilising assistive technology is that Mrs. Johnson was at the starting
phase of dementia where she started forgetting about daily tasks like closing the front door and
taking medicines at the correct time and so on (Al-Shaqi, Mourshed and Rezgui, 2016). Another
problem that came in front of utilising technology to support Mrs Johnson was that the

unwillingness offer to take into consideration of different tools and mechanisms which were
asked by her son and daughter to apply at the house.
However she was aware of the technology and also accepted it but due to anxious she was
continuously going through difficulties about how she will manage the change and if anything
goes wrong then what will be the next step that can be taken by her. Another area that came in
front was resistance to change because Mrs. Johnson was not that much sure of bringing in the
change at her living site. financial challenges along with the affordability are also considered to
be a problem for an individual like Mrs. Johnson and the reason that came in front was the
affordability of these systems can be really very costly which a person living on his or her own
may not referred the assistive technology.
However, Government of United Kingdom has effectively started enhancing the
opportunities for disabled people whether they are dealing with the physical problem or mental
and in the case of Mrs Johnson it can be said that support from government it can be e
considered in the form of personal health budget. Getting the knowledge of the assistive
technology is also so sweet to be a problem for Mrs Johnson because technology is carrying an
ever-changing mode where companies that develops the system alarms and the other supportive
mechanisms like lifeline telecare alarm unit and so on, where she might required to take training
from the personal and then use them accordingly but due to her forgetfulness problem utilisation
of applied assistive technology can be an issue for Mrs. Johnson (Bedaf and et. al., 2016).
1,3 Explain the benefits of these technologies to health and social care organisations and their
users
Assistive technologies like installation of a gas sensor, cut off valve, radio smoke detector,
door alert for the back door and a lifeline telecare alarm unit which are linking to local
community alarm service and also some of the other assistive calendar clock, automatic pill
dispenser and picture telephone carries ample number of benefits for Mrs. Johnson and some of
these are: It may help message Johnson to perform every single task on a daily routine which is
required to live an independent life without having any sort of concern like gas leak, thief related
risks, any sort of emergency, face recognition of a person at the time of looking at the phone, pill
dispenser which would help her in not getting into trouble due to forgetfulness. Also it has been
analysed that some of the benefits like increased choice independence commerce safety and
sense of control improve quality of life maintains the ability to remain at home, reduces the

burden from caretakers, reduces the chances of getting met with an accident fall at the home and
improves support for people with long-term health conditions.
Also, Mrs. Johnson may effectively become able to live much more independent life if she
gets the appropriate knowledge in relation to assistive devices that has been applied for her.
Another benefit that came in front of equally assistive devices like phone which will be showing
the image of the person who is calling on her number will decrease the chances of Mrs Johnson
to rely on any other person even to do some small tasks that belongs to her daily routine. If it is
talk about the assistive calendar clock then, it can be said that it can benefit Mrs Johnson to set
every single task considering a time table or a time duration and which will help her in
conducting that particular ask at the correct time. Basically, assistive calendar clock will
effectively help Mrs. Johnson to remember the tasks even if she forgets about them due to her
disability which is remembering a particular thing for a longer period of time. This particular
opportunity of taking into consideration of different assistive technologies at home or their home,
Mrs. Johnson may easily become able to perform all the tasks without taking help of any
caretaker, son and daughter (Hendey and Pascall, 2020).
Task 2
2.1 Explain health and safety considerations in the use of technologies in health and social care.
In present time, it has been analysed that there are ample number of healthy and safety
issues that stays linked while supporting independent life. Therefore, it can be said that all the
considerations in relation with health and safety are required to be considered while utilising
assistive technology for a patient dealing with mental or physical disability. According to Health
and safety act, 1974 and Equality Act, 2010, care providers, care homes and hospitals along with
visitors and staff members like nurses has proclaimed that it is must for them to get a much more
secured and safe environment (Puyaltó and Pallisera, 2020).
The technology which is specifically being utilised among these facilities are developed
and implemented to support independent life and for the individuals as well who are working at
the administrative level and at the other areas so that they may not go through any sort of
problems like getting harm because of that particular assistive technological system. It is
necessary for the employer at a workstation to conduct risk assessment where duty of care is
considered to be the primal role of the individual or the group. On the other hand some of the

other duty of care that is required for the employee to practice and these are making the whole
workplace much more safer than the expectations of the workers, prevent risks to health, bring
assurance or to ensure safe working environment and practices are performed and also the
overall plant and machinery is considered to be safe while using and to offer emergency plans
with providing protective clothing and equipment which are free of charge and lastly e conduct
any sort of report in relation with injuries comedy diseases accidents and dangerous occurrences
that took p main take place Northern Ireland or any other local or national authority.
The particular assistive technology that has been considered would required to promote
both safety and exclusive service to the individual rather than putting him or her into a problem.
If it is talked about the case of Mrs Johnson then taking into consideration of the particular
assistive technology like automatic pill dispenser, where if any sort of situation takes place like
wrong pills are being given by the dispenser to Mrs Johnson then it may effectively lead her to
go through to different range of difficulties where life risk is said to be one of the major concern.
Including this, gas sensor and radio smoke detector are also required to be checked by engineers
affiliated to the company that if they are working in an appropriate manner or not because failure
into this may lead Mrs Johnson to deal with ample number of problems (Smith and Astell, 2017).
2.2 Discuss ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies
Ethical consideration can be defined as rules and regulations of conducting improper
behaviour considering the ideas that are directly linking to the moral which can be both good and
bad. Other words, ethical consideration can be considered as the particular area of study which
focuses on the ideas about good and bad behaviour and comes under a branch of philosophy
which is considered to be really very important for both employer and employee. While using
assistive technologies it is must to follow four ethical principles and these are autonomic,
beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. In the case of Mrs Johnson, it was pretty much
required to follow the different range of practice points in order to focus over ethical
consideration and some of these points are assessment, consent to use of assistive technology,
sourcing equipment installation risk associated with the technology and lastly social isolation and
well-being (Fleming, McGilloway and Barry, 2016).
All these practices are performed by the individuals at the time of installing the telecare
equipment and some of the other assistive technologies then it is may be possible that it will be
fruitful for both Mrs. Johnson and the company that has installed the assistive technology based

system. On the other hand some of the risks that are associated with the technology like all the
individuals who are working within the assistive technology department focuses on
commissioning but it is must for them to probably focus on realistic expectations and also would
require to understand all the limitations as well. Also, it is must for the installing individuals to
deliver every single information about the assistive technology because it can also be impact on
overall nature of the person like Mrs. Johnson may feel isolated at the time of utilising assistive
technology. Basically it is not mandatory as an alternative for direct social care support until and
unless it is expressed by the individual like in the case of Mrs. Johnson where she somehow
accepted the fact that this type of technology will help her and fulfil her on her on mental
capacity.
2.3 Explain the impacts of recent and emerging technological developments on health and social
care services, organisations and care workers
Some of the recent and emerging technological developments are insulin plant, ventilator,
artificial limbs, cochlear implant, pacemaker, electric wheelchairs, wise and adapted computes
has impacted on health and social care services care workers and organisations (Bunn and et. al.,
2018). Some of the positive impacts that came in front are enhancing health and safety features
for or patients, it promotes efficiency level in much effective manner and also saves time and
cost. Including this it also reduces death ratios and pressures over emergency services. Away
with this, some of the other advantages that came in front of utilising emerging technological
developments are: it helps in promoting good quality of care and also enhances the reputation
along with the competitive advantages for the particular organisation which is providing assistive
technological development services.
On the other side, some of the negative impacts of recent and emerging technology
development over organisations, care workers and social care services are high demand and
pressure over organisation, the cost of equipment, training and maintenance stays really very
high in nature. Basically, if service users gets to know about the particular technological
development that took place in an organisation then it can be said that expectations of them
getting good quality of care than the existing situation increases and also it is may be possible
that and healthy competition among organisations may increase and that will impact negatively
on ethics and developed code of conduct by parliament of United Kingdom. Another negative
impact that came in front was that the patient might start feeling isolated and this may become

their nature as well of not making any contact with other human and it can also lead to intrusion
of privacy.
Task 3
3.1 Identify specific needs of an individual requiring support to live independently
In present context, for Joseph the particular need that came in front was the person centred
care in order to support him to live his life independently. it has been analysed to that a person
centred approach given to a person in relation to the care specifically focuses on the different
needs desires, wants and goals which helps in performing the nursing process in much effective
and in efficient manner. On the other side, it has been analysed to that person centred care is
specifically utilised to indicate the interest of an individual like Joseph throughout the experience
of different elements like illness, injuries, need or health.
Including this, there are some of key components which are available to person centred
care and these are being responsive to words the situation, providing care that is specifically
meaningful, focusing on the particular patient throughout his or her life and so on. In present
context specific needs of Joseph that he has been a active individual and goes out for two or three
times and recently her wife died and started dealing with early onset dementia. In present context
the needs were assigning him with a range of assistive technological systems so that he do not
message his meals or skip medication. some of the other needs were emotional needs where he
lost her loved one who was his wife, intellectual needs which were memory loss and
disorientation physical needs as he was pretty much active these are said to be some of the
crucial needs that came in front that required by Joseph which is needed to be fulfilled in order to
support him in living his life independently (Calò and et. al., 2018).
3.2 Make recommendations for how technologies might support the independent living
arrangements
There are a range of recommendations that can be given in relation with technologies that
might support Joseph to live his life independently and without getting into any sort of trouble
and these are: flood sensors which may help him or his daughter Lisa to get to know about if the
room is flooded and basically it will start an alarm so that right actions can easily be taken in
correct time. On the other hand, considering the situation it can also be said that handheld
devices can be given to Joseph like smart phones or any other personal assistant device which

can be programmed with different reminders and verbal instruction. This could be understood
with a good example of the particular program that specifically may help Joseph in getting a
reminder of taking medication or shower. It is recommended because at the moment Joseph is at
the initial stage of dementia and it is may be possible that this problem can get severe in near
future.
However, this type of device can be effective at early stage of dementia only. Away with
this, it has been analysed that Joseph’s behaviour of wandering and moving around directly
increases the risk of any sort of injury or abuse both at outside or at home as well. In such
situation alarm system can be specifically used by the family or the caregiver just when Joseph
may get into trouble. In order to keep Joseph safe from different situations like getting lost there
are devices that can be utilised by caregiver for family like putting a tracker on his mobile phone
which will be continuously delivering information to them about every single moment which has
been performed by Joseph. it has been analysed that this is something which is required proper
consent or the choice of the patient dealing with the issue and without this it is may be possible
that violation of code of conduct could take place and this will not be an ethical activity to
perform (Caplan, 2020).
3.3 Evaluate the usefulness of technology for users of health and social care services
Technology has a few advantages to Joseph of wellbeing and social consideration
administrations. Utilization of assistive technology for instance has helped numerous person with
inability to live be progressively independent life. Public activity of individuals with unique
needs has likewise improved graciousness of innovation. Through innovation individuals
uncommon necessities can meet practically with partner, companions family life and so on these
give them enthusiastic help as well as assist them with feeling yet of the general public. The
utilization of innovation has additionally caused it workable for individuals to live to serenely
live in their home and get care there when contrasted with being regulated. For example through
the telecare, care can be given to Technology without the requirement for his to go to medical
clinic or care home. Telecare has likewise made far off determination and prescription
conceivable. Individuals get determination and medicine without the need to get in wellbeing
offices. Innovation is utilized to advance self-administration (Fowler and et. al., 2017).
Individuals with long – term condition who need social and medicinal services support are
enabled stage to look for help in dealing with their condition. For example, electronically

gateways empower individuals to get data, for example, tranquilize solution connect with clinical
expert and look for other clinical related data. Through inquiry innovation, individuals with long
haul condition carry on with increasingly autonomous and secure life as they probably am aware
where to get help at whatever point they need one. Therefore, these are said to be some of the
crucial usefulness that can be seen at the time of utilising assistive Technology to deliver best
and suitable independent life to Joseph (Kantaris, 2018).
Conclusion
With the help of above mentioned report, it can easily be said that supporting independent
living arrangements can motivate individuals that has already started relying on others and lost
their hope of living the life independently. On the other hand while focusing on the technological
aspects and putting them over health concerns of patients, an organisation may effectively go
through different range of difficulties like they have to invest heavily on the machines and
technologies and also it is required for organisations to train staff as well in order to pull out
favourable outcomes. With ample number of benefits still in can be said that machines cannot
replace humans and the way human has played the role towards supporting independent life,
special needs are fulfilled by them only like if they are linking to their (patients) emotions and so
on.

References
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