Supporting Independent Living: Technology, Ethics, and Health Care

This report explores the application of technology to support independent living within health and social care services. It begins by defining independent living and then examines how technology can be used to assist individuals, such as Sally, who have specific needs, like those related to vision or mobility, to live more independently. The report analyzes the barriers to the use of technology, including resistance, cost, and technical challenges, as well as the benefits for both users and healthcare organizations. It also delves into health and safety considerations, ethical issues surrounding the use of assistive technologies, and the impact of recent technological developments on care services and workers. The report provides recommendations for utilizing technology to meet individual needs, evaluates the usefulness of various technologies, and considers the broader implications for independent living within the health and social care context.

Supporting
Independent Living

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Explain how technology can be used to support users of health and social care services in
living independently....................................................................................................................1
1.2 Analyse barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care
services in living independently..................................................................................................2
1.3 Explain the benefits of these technologies to health and social care organisations and their
users.............................................................................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
2.1 Explain health and safety considerations in the use of technologies in health and social
care..............................................................................................................................................2
2.2 Discuss ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies......................................2
2.3 Explain the impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health and
social care services, organisations and care workers..................................................................2
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................2
3.1 Identify specific needs of an individual requiring support to live independently.................2
3.2 Make recommendations for how technologies might support the independent living
arrangements...............................................................................................................................2
3.3 Evaluate the usefulness of technology for users of health and social care services..............2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................2
.........................................................................................................................................................2

INTRODUCTION
Independent living is defined as the ability to examine the people where they live
separately to spend their life. It is all about those people who are disable with having voice,
choice and control over any of the support which they requires in their every day's life. In simple
words, it is the movement where disable people work for their self determination, equal
opportunity and also for self respect. In this respective project, all of the questions will be
addressed on the basis of given scenarios. There will be proper explanation to the point use of
technology to support independent living for users of health and social care. Various
technologies will also be implicated in this project. Also, recommendation will also be given
related to different technologies in order to support independent living.
TASK 1
1.1 Explain how technology can be used to support users of health and social care services in
living independently.
In present days technologies and medicine have become really advanced due to which it
has been providing several benefits to every individual who are facing different kind of medical
problem. The modern form of technologies which is being used is helping the public as well as
society so that they can spend their life easily and happily for the longer period of time. The
main thing which is required to consider is that changes are still required in it with the help of
introducing modern technologies and equipments. It will have direct impact in day to day life of
an every individual who is suffering from the problem of disability.
In this modern era, there are number of equipments an software devices which can be
beneficial for disable people. This technologies and software devices can help to reduce the
problem of disabilities in some sort because people will be able to communicate with different
people and even it can it reduce the problem through which daily basis working condition can
become much easier. In the given case of Sally, she was having the issue of double vision and
even tingling and numbness in her left foot. For resolving the problem she had a discussion with
neurologist and then she started to have medicine. In order to reduce the overall fatigue, she was
required to change her daily basis lifestyle by having proper health education. As per the
neurologist, she must take the advice of technology specialist who can guide her that how
available devices can help her which is available with herself. This assistive device can be very
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beneficial as it will reduce the overall percentage of problem which she is facing at the moment
and even it will help her to drive. In addition, it will help her children to complete their
assignment which is one of the essential things.
As she was facing number of problem, it she has been referred to occupation therapist for
the purpose of diagnosis of her ankle-foot. Even she has been referred to Assistive Technology
specialist who can help to resolve the problem which she is required to face during typing,
holding lunch and while conducting any of the the daily basis activity. She was also required to
meet one the driving specialist who can help her to drive the vehicle by handling the accelerator
with the help of left leg. Even GP gave her the advice that she must meet the social worker who
can help out in the financial work and basis decision which is require to run daily basis life.
Now, she has the device known as Personal digital assistance which will be very helpful for her
because pressing the single button will tell her that what she is required to do next once any of
the particular work is completed. In addition, this device is helpful for her in managing any of
the work which is connected with healthcare.
1.2 Analyse barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care services in
living independently.
It has been found that in any of the patient life there are several barriers which they are
required to face and they are resistance to technology, budget, knowledge barrier and many
more. In resolve all of this problem, assistive technology is one of the crucial tool which can help
to take corrective decision to any of the disable people and even that can also help to overcome
the problem of dependency on any of other people. In 4respective case, Sally is able to continue
any of her work with the help of assistive technology. The issue related to vision has been solved
with the help of enlargement of keyboard with including additional dark character in keyboard
that can help her to ensure that she is working required manner. This assistive device can be the
key source for any of those people are suffering from the problem of disability. As there are
various benefit of Assistive device then even problem are also available and they have been
explained below:
Possibility of failure: Every time it is not sure that all of this assistive device will work or
not as this are just the machineries which can even fail too. This devices are not easy to operate
for each and every person and because of that there is a huge possibility that it can be proved as
one of the major failure.
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Battery operated: There are some of the battery operated which is not safe in most of the
situation for those patient who are disable. Patient will not be able to use machines while
charging it and that can affect their daily basis work. This device are not safe to use on regular
basis.
1.3 Explain the benefits of these technologies to health and social care organisations and their
users.
It is necessary for any of the disable patient that they must have the knowledge of
assistive technology before using it. This assistive device has been helping both disable patient
and healthcare organisation. Some of the benefits of using all of this assistive device are
explained below in detail.
Affordability and availability of devices: This devices are very helpful for any of the
patient as they are able to take care of themselves. This devices are expensive and that is one of
the reason that healthcare centre are unable to give to every patient who requires it. It is
necessary that all of this devices must be available at reasonable price which can help healthcare
organisation to provide to every patient. Here, authorised department of government has been
working very hard to deliver all of this product at very reasonable price by reducing the
percentage of tax.
Helpful in recovery process: This sort of devices are helpful in most of the cases where
they are able to help the patient to recover from the disease which they are facing in the current
scenario. The assistive device boost up the speed of patient to recover from the problem which
has one of the positive sign for any of the patient and that can help to come back to normal life.
In addition, it will not let patient to stay dependent on any one.
In short, Sally can take the help this assistive device which can be beneficial for her
personal life. This types of devices can help her type, can help her to hold lunch tray easily.
TASK 2
2.1 Explain health and safety considerations in the use of technologies in health and social care.
Health and safety are important for an individual while carrying out daily services for
providing healthy life. It is necessary to carry out different activities for making people healthy.
Different types of campaigns are organised by legal authorities as well as government to make
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people aware about diseases and preventive measures for them. For attaining desired outcomes
there is a need
As per the given case, psychologist can make use of diverse technologies for treating
Sally in an appropriate way so that she is not harmed and can render better facilities to them.
Technologies cannot be used for interfering in personal life of individuals. It is crucial for
observing as well as analysing impact of specific tasks on personal life of individuals. Some
considerations which must be acknowledged by practitioners are specified below:
 There are wide range of duties which must be accomplished by employer’s such as
workplace safety, ensure secure working practices, prevention of risks to health,
formulation of emergency plans and various others.
 The health and safety act 1974 states that technological equipments can be utilised by
organisation by making sure that there is no harm to employees as well as patients while
delivering & taking services.
 While making use of technology there exist wide range of risks, therefore it is mandatory
to make use of safety precautions on new devices.
 Provider’s need to take into consideration different policies while making use of latest
technologies such as ability for carrying out daily living, cognitive impairment, design of
new facilities, ability to formulate structures, staff training and many others.
2.2 Discuss ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies.
Ethics refer set of rules which ensures that peculiar thought is either good or bad. There
exists different kinds of ethical policies which must be followed by organisations while
execution of technologies in an appropriate manner. New techniques will aid to furnish services
and tasks in an effective manner. The ethical principles with respect to usage of assistive
technology are specified below:
Beneficence: It comprises of medical professional which will be responsible for
identification of benefits of these techniques. Appropriate information must be given to patients
with respect to treatment which they are being given.
Non-maleficence: Various techniques possess potential for exposing people to risk then
it is crucial for medical practitioners to maintain balance in between making sure that safety and
privacy of patients is maintained in an enhanced way.
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Justice: it comprises of interest of justice with respect to resources available and must be
allocated in an appropriate manner for balancing requirements of individuals within broader
community.
According to given case, psychologists need to assure all the mentioned principles while
rendering services to Sally for sorting out her problems related with day to day routine such as
holding lunch tray, typing, etc. Psychologist provides Sally a PDA (Personal digital assistant), a
technological device which is a pocket coach and aids her to remember things. Some of the
ethical approaches with respect to assistive technologies are: assessment, consent to use of
assistive technology, risks associated with technology, sourcing equipment, their installation,
social isolation and well being.
2.3 Explain the impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health and social
care services, organisations and care workers.
There are different types of assistive technologies that are introduced and possess certain
positive along with negative impacts on services rendered to users. It is mandatory to carry out
observation, analysis and evaluation of effects with respect to new technologies for identification
of whether they will be constructive or not as per the requirements. With respect to assistive
technology, there are different treatments procedures in an efficient as well as effective manner
by which desired results can be attained. There are different techniques which can be used by
medical professionals to have accurate outcome in terms of conditions of a patient. Some
assistive technologies are: Ventilator, Insulin implant, artificial limbs, Pacemaker (Heart
implant), Cochlear implant (ear implant), Hoists Adapted computes, Electric wheelchairs and
many others. These devices might aid Sally to remember things and carry out her daily activities
in an appropriate way. She was treated by making use of normal methods but due to her critical
conditions, practitioners gave technological devices for her welfare. There are positive as well as
negative impacts of emerging technologies with respect to health and social care. They are
illustrated below:
Positive impact
 It aids to improvise the health & safety of society in an enhanced manner along with this
they boost up efficiency and save lot of time.
 It will also lead to decline in number of deaths along with pressure in emergency
services.
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 New techniques will in promoting better quality of care and will also lead to more
advancements in technology
Negative impacts
 It leads to high a demand which leads to creation of high pressure on health and social
care organisations.
 It involves high cost of equipments, their maintenance along with training to employees
with respect to working of those.
 Expectations of people get increased rapidly and it may lead to an unhealthy competition
between organisations.
TASK 3
3.1 Identify specific needs of an individual requiring support to live independently
It is essential to identify actual needs of an individual so that appropriate treatment can be
rendered to them. Human body has an immunity system that is responsible for different types of
allergies along with response from external environment. It is considered as one of the most
essential activity to carry out accurate check up of a person by which exact requirements of
individuals can be identified in an appropriate manner. This will benefit them to treat patients in
an effective as well as efficient way to attain desired results. It is obligatory to have various types
of individuals to differentiate between what is to be accomplished by usage of necessary
techniques and attain better results.
Referring to the case study of Jane, she is suffering from learning disability, limited
mobility and chronic health problems which include Epilepsy and Diabetes type 2. She is a 59
years old lady who requires proper bed rest along with better treatment so that it will become
easy for her to spend rest of life in comfortable manner. It is necessary to critically analyse
complications of case and then start the procedure of treatment more carefully to get required
results as well. People with several other problems also need to get attention by medical
professionals while conducting the tasks of diagnosing. These factors are agitation, memory
distortions, depression, restlessness, tremor, trouble eating, and delusions and many others. As
per scenario of given case, Jane is facing problem of learning disability, limited mobility and
chronic diseases due to which she is not able to conduct daily routine work like cook, wash,
cleans etc. she was also fell to the floor due to suspected heart attack and could not reach
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emergency alarm in her room. After feeling better, she wishes to get back herself in flat Sunshine
Sheltered Accommodation where it is possible for her to live independently.
3.2 Make recommendations for how technologies might support the independent living
arrangements.
There are diverse kinds of technologies which can be used by individuals for spending
comfortable as well as appropriate life. It comprises of different devices like electric
wheelchairs, stair lifts, definite techniques to make use of smart phones for replacing speech and
many others. Along with this, there are different sensors which can be used for beds, door, flood,
monitoring of falls, epilepsy, enuresis and various others.
As per the given case study of James, it can be recommended that they can make use
sensors for detecting everything and carry out her day to day activities in suitable way. This will
make James to depend on herself for her tasks without taking any kind of favour from anyone.
James can make use of diverse devices in case of mishappenings or natural disasters like
tsunami, floods, earthquakes, etc. For an instance James can utilise telecare techniques which
will aid her in different types of medical assistance in an appropriate manner. Furthermore,
movement assistive technology (MAT) can be used that contains sensors along with digital
devices which will help her to perform her daily activities.
3.3 Evaluate the usefulness of technology for users of health and social care services.
There exist diverse benefits that can be achieved by service users. It is crucial for an
individual to have enhanced quality services along with surety of safety measures. An innovative
technique aids up to boost wide range of choices and remain independent. It comprises of
different benefits like decreased burdens kept on carers, reduction in social isolation, improvised
health conditions for longer duration, decline in accidents and many others. As per this case,
James can make use of different technical devices to spend their life in an appropriate manner
while carrying out their routine activities and live independently. James can make use of electric
wheelchair, stair lifts, epilepsy sensors that can be kept under mattresses & will trigger an alarm
if someone has abduction and enuresis sensors for detecting moisture.
CONCLUSION
From above it can be concluded that, technology plays crucial role in every aspect of
society. Within health and social care by making use of technological advancements appropriate
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services can be furnished to individuals who will lead them to lead their life as a normal human
being without any kind of trouble. Along with this, there are certain limitations or harm can be
created by these equipments so the practitioners need to make sure that they take all the
necessary precautions by which it can be avoided.
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Online
Implement and Monitor Work Health and Safety Practices. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
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