Exploring Technology's Role in Supporting Independent Living

This report examines how technology supports independent living for users of health and social care services, referencing case studies like Sally and Jane. It details the benefits of technologies such as hearing aids, speech recognition devices, and personalized patient portals, while also analyzing barriers to technology adoption, including technology failure, cost limitations, operational complications, cyber threats, and potential for confusion. The report further explores health and safety considerations, such as long-term effects and device quality, and emphasizes the importance of balancing technological support with natural recovery processes. Desklib offers a range of similar solved assignments and resources for students.

Supporting Independent Living
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
LO 1:................................................................................................................................................4
LO2:.................................................................................................................................................9
LO3:...............................................................................................................................................12
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................14
Reference List................................................................................................................................15
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Introduction
This project sheds light on the various aspects of the health and social care sector’s relation to
the scope of technology. The rapid advancements brought in by technology have significantly
created an impact in this sector. Certain factors such as the advantages of the technological
devices and assistance, and their impact upon the lives of the users shall be discussed in details in
the project. Also, various aspects such as the limitations and draw backs of the technological
devices shall be dealt with in details. The study shall be conducted in reference to two case
studies, one of Sally and the other one of Jane.
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LO 1:
1.1 Explain how technology can be used to support users of health and social care services
in living independently.
With growing age, it becomes a matter of challenge for the elderly people to carry on their daily
life activities. Be it walking to a certain place, or the ability to hold a commodity firmly, with age
or certain disabilities, it becomes very problematic for them to carry on their daily activities.
However, due to the impact of technology, it becomes a matter of ease for the people with
certain disabilities to carry on with their daily routine (De Raeve et al., 2017).
In the case study, it has been made evident that Sally, a 42 years old woman has been leading her
life with the aid of various technological devices and assistance such as eye patch, assistive
keyboards and others. Due to certain health problems such as double vision and multiple
sclerosis, it became very difficult for Sally to lead a normal life. She had been facing problems to
such an extent that her work life was getting difficult for her to manage. Further, it was stated
that various activates such driving and holding the lunch trays were becoming difficult tasks for
her.
Hence, with the aid of various technological devices and assistance, it became possible for Sally
to continue with the activities she had been doing before her health related problems started. The
various technological devices and assistance being used extensively today are as follows:
Hearing aids: These devices are used on an extensive basis today. People with problems and
complexities related to their hearing abilities are prescribed this device. With sound
amplification and frequency enhancing technology built in it, these devices help the individuals
to get over their disabilities in the most optimum of manners possible.
Speech recognizing devices: It becomes a matter of extreme difficulty and pain for those
individuals who suffer from such problems which stop them from communicating effectively
with the people around them. However, due to the aid of speech recognition devices, it becomes
possible for the patients suffering from this disability to communicate and voice out efficiently.
Lead-less Pacemakers: Pacemakers are a very crucial device for those who suffer from disease
such as arrhythmia and other heart related issues. However, the primitive pacemakers are known
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to be comprising of lead, which can be hazardous for the human body. Hence, pacemakers that
do not require the use of lead have come up and are being employed. This is medically more
advanced and safe than those primitive ones.
Personalized patient portals: It is a known fact that technology has brought in proximity and
nearness among the users. This scope of nearness and proximity has been effectively
implemented in the healthcare and social sector (Irizarry et al., 2015). With the individual
profiles of the patients, it has become possible for them to easily stay connected with their
general physicians and doctors with the aid of smart phones and other important networking
techniques.
1.2 Analyze barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care
services in living independently.
There remains no doubt that technology has become the centre of the functioning of the most
important and relevant sectors today, even in the health and social care sector. However, one
needs to understand that this is sector which is different and unique from the other areas of
working. The health and social care deals with the wellbeing of human beings. A flaw or back
draw in this sector can cost a lot, including the lives of the people (Wherton et al., 2015). Hence,
it has to be looked into it that the right technological tools are used in the most efficient of
manner possible to avoid any sort of a problem or issue.
Although it has been mentioned that Sally has used various technological devices and assistance
to get over her problems without any such complications or problems, the proper usage and
implementation of technology in the most optimum manner can experience certain frictions. In
the following paragraphs, the major barriers to the best use of technology have been provided in
details:
Failure of technology
Although very effective, the entire framework of technology is created by humans and it is very
much a possibility that these technological devices and assistance may fail at times (Malottki et
al., 2009). This can be fatal if the technology is crucial and provides life support to any
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individual. The scope of machine failure and breakdown can have adverse effects in the patients.
It remains one of the major barriers to the implementation of technology.
Limitation of Cost
Money and capital is understandably one of the most crucial resources an individual or an
organization can have. It has to be noted that not every individual has the same monetary
strength and capability. The various significant technological devices and assistance cost a heavy
sum of money and hence, not everybody can afford it (Shepherd, 2015). From the case study, it
can be understood that Sally needed to use various technological assistance tools and devices in
order to help her carry on with her daily life activities. However, in order to use these
technological devices, she has had to spend a lot of money. It can stated that not all patients have
the financial stability and capability as that of Sally, and due to this reason many of them often
do not get the scope of use the technological assistance tools such as hearing aids, speech
recognition devices on others.
Operational complications
Although extensively used and employed, not all people are equally gifted with the skill of
properly using the technological devices. For instance, today most of the technological tools and
devices are either battery operated or employ the usage of renewable sources such as solar
energy. In this case, there are many people who do not have proper knowledge as to how to keep
the device in working condition all the times. They often fail to understand the as to when they
shall change the batteries or charge their devices, hence making them non functional. In the
health and social care sector, it has to be understood that if the various technological devices and
assistance are not used properly, they shall not have any functional and hence, fail to resolve the
problems of the users.
Cyber threats
Along with the progress on technology, the various elements that prove as hindrances to the
employment of technological tools and devices are on a severe rise as well. Cyber threats and
issues are proving to be a major threat to the scope of employing technology, especially in the
health and social care sector (Abouzakhar et al., 2017). Several instances have been taken into
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account, where crucial and confidential patient related information have been leaked and
wrongly used.
Scope of confusion
Today, various technological tools and devices are being used in the health and social care
industry. Be it surgical robots, machine generated IV lines, electronic databases and information
of patients, it can be said that the scope of technology is being used to such an extent that the
medical executives and other apprentices get confused and lose their grip (Qureshi et al., 2015).
The fundamental requirement of the technological devices is that the demonstrators and users
must have proper knowledge and understanding as to how to use them properly. Failure to do so
may have grave impacts on the patients and users.
1.3 Explain the benefits of these technologies to health and social care organisations and
their users.
For instance, in the case study, it has been seen that Sally has been suffering from various
disabilities and age related issues. When she consulted her general physician, the doctor
prescribed certain lifestyle changes along with the usage of various technological devices and
assistance (Wang et al., 2018). After she started to use the various devices, her disorders and
diseases were properly dealt with. In the following paragraph, the various advantages and
benefits of the technological devices and assistance to the health and social care sector and its
users have been elucidated:
Instantly effective: Unlike other sort of medications or lifestyle changes, the technological
devices and assistance start creating an impact on the users right after they are employed to the
usage. Hence it can be said that they provide relief right from the time they are brought into
usage by the patients and individuals.
Available on an instant basis: Thanks to the sudden disruption brought in by technology, today,
various companies and organizations have taken up the role of manufacturing and coming up
with these technological devices and assistance. Unlike certain medications and treatment
components which are seldom or rarely available, these are readily available and people can
employ them whenever they are prescribed.
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Provision of life support: Such is the power of these technological devices and assistance; they
act as life support systems for the people with disabilities (King et al., 2014). With the usage of
various technology devices and support, the people can lead a normal life just like their
counterparts.
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LO2:
2.1 Explain health and safety considerations in the use of technologies in health and social
care.
Today, technology has spread its effectiveness and implementations to each and every sector,
health and social care being one of them (Drummond et al., 2015). With the use of these
technological devices and assistance, it becomes for the doctors and physicians to help their
patients to lead their lives in the most efficient of manner possible. From the case study, it has
been made evident that along with the changes in the lifestyles, the use of assistive technology
helps the patients to do those normal activities and tasks, which their diseases and/or age stops
them from doing.
However, while using these technological devices and assistance, there are certain effects and
impact that takes place in the user. Employers need to keep certain health and s6afety related
considerations in their minds. The main considerations which usually take place are as follows:
Long term effects: This has to be kept in mind by the employers of the technological devices as
well as those who are the users of it. The employment of these devices is known to have adverse
effects on the effects on the human body (Pigou, 2017). It is true that the main aims of the
devices are to improve the health of the users. However, when used on a long term basis, they do
have some sort of side effects and those are known to create certain imbalances and problems in
the patient’s heath.
Quality of the devices: It has to be understood that even in the health and social care sector, there
are categories of devices, based on their quality and mainly, price. While the devices which are
known to cost a lot of money is not at all harmful, those which are cheap and do not comprise of
superior quality can have adverse effects on the lives of the user (Aveyard, 2014).
Make the recovery process slow: With the usage and implementation of the technological
devices and assistance, the users highly get dependent on it. This reduces their will power and
their capability to bring in recovery naturally. Hence it takes more time for the disabilities to get
eradicated and less.
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2.2 Discuss ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies.
From the case study, it has been made evident that Sally, after using the technological devices
and assistance returned to doing activities such as driving, and working in a more efficient
manner. Before using them, her disabilities stopped her from leading a normal life and made it
difficult for her to carry on with her work as well as fulfill her personal needs. However, there
are various ethical considerations that need to be followed during the usage of the technological
tools. They are:
 The technological devices manufactured need to be of optimum and premium quality
 The health and social care sector is one such sector where the thought of solely
generating the maximum profit should not be in the minds of the entrepreneurs (Dees,
2017).
 The patient related data and information in the system and database should solely be
used for medical, research and educational purposes
 The patients should not use these devices if they are capable of doing the task without
the employment of these devices
 The patients and individuals who are employing these devices and assistance need to be
given their desired freedom.
 The individuals undertaking these devices and technological assistance should not be
isolated. They must not be cornered and the others are required to interact with them in
the same manner as they would do with a person without disabilities (Smail, 2015).
2.3 Explain the impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health and
social care services, organisations and care workers.
In the above stated paragraphs, the various problems related to the usage and employment of
technology has been stated. However, the advantages and relevance of the technological
assistance and devices cannot be undermined and ignored due to the barriers and complications.
With the advancement of technology, it has become possible to bring in a revolution in the health
and social care industry. It has to be noted that technology helps the people with various
disabilities and age related issues often find solution to their problems with the employment of
technological devices and assistance (Grajales et al., 2014).
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For instance, people with vision impairment get significant advantages with various
technological devices and assistance (World Health Organization, 2015). They shall easily get
over with their problems with these devices and also help them to lead a normal life. Further,
some other devices keep track of the progress of the individual with the aid of technologies such
as Smartphone. These technologies help to decode the day schedules of an individual, serve as a
medium of communication and also comprise of other functions. Technologies like these are
employed for various purposes. For instance, in the case of transmitters, they provide significant
information related to the patients to the doctors and vice versa.
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LO3:
3.1 Identify specific needs of an individual requiring support to live independently.
From the case study, it has been made evident that Jane is suffering from serious illness and has
been bed ridden for a month in the hospital. However, after getting discharged, she expressed her
desire to get stay alone in her apartment. In order to do so, she needs certain commodities to stay
under proper governance. The basic needs that need to be provided are:
Proper tracking machines:
Jane when suffered from a heart attack, she failed to seek help. In order to avoid situations like
these, the medical team needs to make sure that Jane is provided with a proper tracking device
that helps her physicians and medical team to keep proper check on her.
Various life support devices and assistance:
Since Jane had been into bed rest for a while and due to her illness, it cannot be expected that she
would be capable of taking care of herself and fulfilling her own needs. Hence, certain
technological devices need to be provided to her in order to help and assist her to do the needful.
Smart toilets:
This shall help Jane to keep track of and measure various aspects such as her blood pressure
levels, her sugar levels and other integral components. By keeping a track of these things, Jane
shall have no such problems to stay away from possible diseases.
Alert systems:
With the employment of alarm systems and other alert mechanisms, it becomes possible for the
emergency team to get aware and react to situations if any problems occur (Gurbeta et al., 2017).
3.2 Make recommendations for how technologies might support the independent living
arrangements.
As mentioned above, the technological tools and devices are hugely beneficial for the
independent living of individuals. In the case of Jane, it can be said that the lady who has been
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victim of severe fatal diseases, needs to employ the technological tools and devices mentioned
above in her apartment if she decides to live alone. Although not suggested, but it remains up to
the individuals and their choices. However, they need to ensure that the technological tools such
as alarm systems, computers and enhanced tracking devices are used by Jane while living alone.
3.3 Evaluate the usefulness of technology for users of health and social care services.
Despite suffering from certain disabilities, it becomes easy for the patients to remain in contact
with the doctors and their medical teams on a constant basis if they imply technology for their
health and safety purpose (Runciman et al., 2017). The various advantages of technology in the
health and social care sector have been elucidated in the paragraphs above. Referring to the case
study, the use of technology has advantages such as:
 Overcoming of disorders
 Keeping in touch with the physicians and medical team
 Enhances the productivity and efficiency of those who are disabled
 Instantly provides a solution to the various health problems
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Conclusion
Technology is such a component that has brought in a revolution in the globe. Today, there
remains no sector where technology has not created any sort of an impact. Almost all the sectors
today have undergone modifications, the health and social care sector being one of them. In this
project, the various aspects of the impact of technology on this sector have been critically
evaluated and analyzed. Further, the essential requirements of people with disorders or age
related issues have been elucidated. The study, which has been conducted in reference to two
case studies deals with the scope of independent living of individuals, especially those with
certain physical or mental disorders. The impact of the technological devices and assistance and
their contribution to the independent living of the individuals have been dealt with in details, in
the project. The purpose of this study remains to shed light on making the lives of the people
with certain disorders easy. It can only be done by employing the right and relevant
technological devices and assistance.
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