A Report on Technology's Role in Supporting Independent Living

This report examines the role of technology in supporting independent living for users of health and social care services. It begins by introducing the concept of supported independent living and then explores various technological devices, such as spinner knobs and pocket coaches, that aid individuals with disabilities. The report also identifies technological barriers, including resistance to technology, budget constraints, and ethical issues. It highlights the benefits of these technologies for both health and social care organizations and their users, emphasizing improved quality of life, support for long-term conditions, and reduced accidents. The report further discusses the Health and Safety Act and ethical considerations in using assistive technologies, such as the right to self-determination and confidentiality. Finally, it analyzes the positive and negative impacts of recent and emerging technologies, including cost savings, improved care quality, and increased pressure on health and social care departments. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of balancing the benefits and challenges of technology to ensure effective support for independent living.

Supporting
Independent Living

INTRODUCTION
A choice to the person about where and how to live is been given by the supported
independent living (Farshchian, Vilarinho and Mikalsen, 2017). The opportunity is being given
to the person to make use of their skills or to learn new skills in order to live more independently
and participate in the community.
In this report the technology that can be used in order to support the users of health and social
care services to live independently will be explained.
TASK-1
1.1 The use of technology to support users of health and social care services
Technological devices that help disable people are that Spinner Knob which is used in car
and helps in handling steering. It makes one hand less difficult which safely mounted on the
outside rim of the steering wheel. Pocket coach which increases memory skills and improvise
functions of it. It aids individuals who had brain strokes and other memory disabilities. User can
easily play back the messages as verbal or with sequence in a list. For example, a morning
routine can be recorded and user can listen to each of his/her message. Eye communication
products used by Sally that helps to minimize visual sickness are provided by professionals of
health and social care. It helps to create speech by selecting pre-programmed phrases. User can
operate from any position without titling on the screen Special Keyboard that includes black and
huge letters which helps her to do work individually. It increases efficiency of disable persons
and make them more accurate in their work. These technological devices help disable in making
their life more easy and comfortable. Technological advancements allow them to live hassle free
life are improving the effectiveness of rehabilitation services provided to these people.
1.2 Technological barriers to support Sally for independent living
Resistance to technology: It is the first barrier that minimized the technology
implication which is being reluctant. As per provided case, Sally is one who is provided
assistive technologies so that she can feel relaxed and used such technology for her
day to day work. However, it can affect her mentality and increase other issues related
to health
Budget Constraints: Another barrier is of budget that is faced by department of social and
health care. Sally also needed some fiscal support because many advanced technologies are
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expensive and cannot be bear effectively. Therefore, workers from this department guided and
directed her properly..
Ethical issue: In the provided case it is identified that there are some ethical issues. Health
professionals should understand that all devices provided for the betterment of Sally should
regulate properly and should operate regular activities. These technologies worsen their in-
dependence. . Sally uses foot ankle and eye patch which was quite uneasy from the point of view
of community. Therefore, professionals should look for the betterment and improvement of
Sally's health. She also felt hectic and exasperated while using technological devices on daily
basis. Therefore, health and social care professional should encourage her so that she should not
feel reluctant. Patients are sometimes not assisted properly with devices so they should be
motivated daily by experts
1.3
Benefits of these technologies to health and social care organizations and their users
There are various fields in which advanced technologies are being used in order to cater
the specific needs. Some main areas are as follows-:
In IT and telecommunication that includes decision support system it can be used
In surgery by making use of this technology in robotics in the process of surgery (Heinz and
Blaser, 2016)
In order to reduce artificial parts of body and organs it can be used in development of bio
engineering
It can be also be used in the molecular genetics advancements
An essential role is being by the following technologies in term of multiple sclerosis. The
hearing aids, eye gears, disease modulation medication, mobility assistive technology etc are
some examples of this technology.
There are numerous benefits that can be provided to the patients by making use of
this technology in order to safeguard in health and social care organization. They are
as follows-:
Due to these technologies the proper process of palling is designed and implemented in the
health care organization. In order to enhance the communication for patients, doctors and
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staff he proper self-management technique can be used Through these the experience of the
patient will improve regarding the service that is offered to them in health care organization
(Heinz and Blaser, 2016) The specific needs of a patient will be handled with ease an also
there will be better patient management. Without getting involved directly the better
assistance to the patients will be given There will be remote patient management and
centralization of efforts The organization will also be saving in cost and resources and hence
they will also be able to tackle large number of care seekers that empowers users of health
and social care.
The following will be the benefits for the users.
Due to movement and avoiding disability there will be confidence and motivation among
users. At the service room there will be coordination and facilitating with the support staff
They will also be able to carry out day to day regular activities such as cooking to washing
and driving etc. There will also be a change in their behaviors and emotional outcomes They
will be happy and content attitude will be developed.In their capabilities and learning
abilities there will be enhancement (Ni, Hernando and de la Cruz, 2015)
There are some benefits of assistive technology which can be used in the case of Sally
Improve quality of life: Assistive technologies can help Sally to easily maintain and manage theo
daily operations which can help to improve the life in terms of living independently. Some
of the devices can help Sally in her daily activities are spinner knob, ankle foot etc.
Improved support for people with long-term health conditions: It is important to have support
from such devices that can help in remembering different things which are good such as
pocket coach etc.
Reduced accidents: The chances of accident can be avoided with the help of assistive
technologies. For instance, left foot accelerator can help in controlling the car easily which
minimise the chances of accidents.
TASK 2
2.1
Health and safety act: According to the health and safety act it is essential for the firm to provide
safe working environment to employees at the workplace.
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In social and health attention organization, there are various health and safety
considerations in using the technologies. They are as follows-:When any disorder actually
trouble or affected the people then only most of the people go for diagnosis until unless the
diagnosis is neglected by them. All the workforce which implement services in health and care
organization, the pros and cons from the related sector and , training etc are not given.
During the induction at the setup of social and health care in relation with the use of technology
the negligence of legislative process and clauses have been drawn in order to guarantee the
standards of quality. There is also a deficiency of efficient execution in the health and social
care. In order to understand the specific needs of patients, there is a lack of proper training and
engagement exercises. The specific care and a modular operative process is needed for the
service users with a special wants following in the given criteria for fast operation and
functioning post their incident. In order to develop relationship beyond the contractual
obligations, the care workers go beyond their usual tasks and thus, the complete transference is
disrupted of patients to the assistive molecule (Ruan, 2016).The emotional ethical issues are also
faced sometimes due to tools which are used for people with disability (Ellison, Mullen and
Biebel, 2016). Though these some are capable of dominant and can make their lives manageable.
In order to preserve them the skills need to be practiced. The opportunity to practices the skills
that is required in the emergency is denied to the staff due to occasional system failures. The
automation can make complex aspects of job more complex by taking the easy part of job.
Beforehand, the calculation and measurement of any technological or activity for the support of
technology need to be applied as has to make surity that the benefits to the patient will be given
in terms of cost, time and health. For the technological help that is associated with the ongoing
prognosis, the withdrawal and preparation evidences can be obstacles can be marked distinctly
and described to the stakeholders.
2.2 Ethical consideration in the use of assistive technologies
When the period of immense crisis and risk was there and couldn't be relieved ethical
dilemmas arise at that time. It becomes more challenging when the choice is in between two
equally unsatisfied alternatives (Byles and Curryer, 2014). In the minds of health care
professions, crisis of setting one out of two confusing paths put a dilemma. In order to help the
patients with special requirements, the assistive technology and any emerging development is
used. For an instance: multiple sclerosis have various equally confusing paths to select from and
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hence, presents an ethical dilemma. By a legislation, law making bodies, government, etc. need
to make some ethical considerations to mitigate these dilemmas. Some of them are as follows:
Right to self-determination- In order to select one’s own course of action out of the probable it
is the ethical right of the patient. In the health and service providers the decision-making and
charge that is offered to patients has put a huge dilemma (Cesta and Pisanelli, 2015).
Confidentiality – The confidentiality prospect is there in between the dilemma to information
share with the patient and the extent of the details being divulged. About a specific client the
information is not being divulged out and in the extreme case the dilemma is there in the suicidal
behavior patients. By the assistive technology some people with specific needs may feel
stigmatized. To the aspects of the care planning such as assessment, installation and obtaining
consent particular attention need to be pay so that beneficial effects of the technology are
realized. Before installing or making use of AT it is essential to make use of person’s free and
informed consent.
Practitioner and client relationship- Due to the relationship in between the career and the
service recipient this ethical dilemma arises. On the emotional boding it is completely based.
2.3 Impact of recent and emerging technological
Positive impact:
Saves cost:. The device lead to help in minimizing human efforts which assist to manage their
cost effectively.
Good quality of care:. Through providing quality of care to Sally that can help in operating
daily operations and activities. Therefore, use of this technology can help in living
independently.
Promotes efficiency and save time: There are some quality and effective services and devices
which help promoting efficiency and saving time.
Negative impact
High pressure and demand: The demand of assistive technology is increasing and it lead to put
pressure on health and social care departments.
Expectations: Expectation can increase which is affecting the use of assistive technologies in an
effective manner
Competition: There is huge competition in the market which lead to affect the choices of the use
of technologies and it can impact both consumers positively and negatively.
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For disabled people, the provision of computers and other high technology products for
assistive devices have proved problematic. To a great extent just like any other invention the use
of assistive devices is a good thing in order to gain unethical befits it is also possible for some
pole to miscue this technology (Bedaf, Gelderblom and De Witte, 2015). With the improvement
in the technologies and with the help of emerging technologies, the use of assertive technology is
getting better. Due this development in technology there is more efficient and more practice use
of technology. With the time and privacy concerns getting reduced the monitoring technologies
are getting better, for an instance with the new technology of virtual reality the people with
vision impairment can achieve great benefits.
Social impact: All the customers can received effective services due to the implementation of
new technology.
Organization: The firm can easily enhance its productivity with the use of new technologu.
Workers: Employees time can be reduced and they can deliver quality services to customers.
The main impact of assistive technology is as follows :
TASK 3
3.1 Sally’s specific needs
It is identified that there are few specific needs which are needed for Maggie because she
is suffering from disability and memory loss. Here below are some specific needs which help in
living independent that are as follows:
Emotional needs: Emotional needs are known as love and care which is provided to each other
and it is required to be express in more easily and appropriately. it is important to provide
Maggie emotional support because she is using assistive technologies.
Social needs: Many time Sally feel isolated and because of this reason it makes her different
from others that she can provide social support in respect to motivate her live independent life.
Intellectual needs: The pocket coach will assist Maggie to understand different things that can
avid the impact of memory loss in daily activities.
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3.2 Recommending suitable assistive strategies
There are some devices of assistive technologies which can support Maggie towards its
independent living in an effective manner. Below are provided few recommendations in respect
to enhance well being of an individual that are as follows:
 Pocket coach: It is identified that there are few changes in the member of Maggie due to
which she is not able to remember anything. Therefore, PDA device will support her in
remembering day to say activities. It will also assist in making memory stronger.
 Spinner knob: It is known as a device which help in steering the car that can help in
drive the car easily. Through this she can easily drop her children school. it helps in
improve their independent living behaviour.
 Mounting and sensory products: For minimizing the visual impairments, she can use
easily and communication device which help in improving her independent living in an
effective manner.
 Special keyboard: Keyboard with large fonts and dark black color will help Maggie to
type and does her office work easily and effectively
3.3 Utility of technology
Through more effective and efficient technologies, the quality of life of patient has
improved. Through these technologies at homes in better care is being given to the patients rather
than admitted to the hospital or are home (Bächle, Judt and Mettler, 2016). It is possible to
conduct remote testing and diagnosis with treatment and also the time of treatment is also being
reduced. More number of patient is being treated more effectively due to these technologies.
Positive
People with disabilities is also being benefited from these technologies. The appropriate
technology need to be used so that to give proper care and support to the patients in the health
and social care organization.
Negative:
If employees unable to use new technologies then it will become difficult for the customers to
received quality services. All the services charges high price which cannot be afford by sally.
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CONCLUSION
By summing up the above report, it can be concluded that special care needs to be given
to people with some disabilities and patients having difficulties. From the health and social care
service, help is being taken by the family and relations with limitation to keep them at home.
With the use of advanced technology, it is possible to look after the patient at home rather than in
hospital. Much help is being given by this technology to both; the users and the organization of
the health and social care.
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REFERENCES
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