In this unit the term assistive technology encompasses all technologies high tech, low tech and no tech which aid people disabled or normal to go about their daily life effectively and independently. In order to properly understand the uses and importance of Assistive Technology, some examples are sited below:<\/p>\n
A short sighted student puts on glasses so he\/she can read, thus, the glasses are an assistive technology.<\/p>\n
A dyslexia patient cannot read the prescribed course texts and hence needs text-to speech software to scan and hear the words. Therefore both the scanner and the text-to-speech software are assistive technologies.<\/p>\n
Also it has being noted that managing money is not the only problem that we are being faced with in this present society. There are also problems of facilities, technologies and the need for health care professionals to work efficiently in satisfying clients wants and demands, which tends to be a vital issue.<\/p>\n
You have been recruited to work in a care home for 3 months. The care home has a limited access and availability of today\u2019s assistive technologies. The manager introduces you to staff and residents as an experienced and valuable member of staff who has a good background in today\u2019s assistive technology that is used within the health and social care sector. Your main role is to develop an understanding of the value and the use of the assistive technologies, its applications and implications on service and service users.<\/p>\n
In relations to the above scenario write a detailed assignment covering the following points:<\/p>\n
Describing a range of technologies and devices available for use within health and social care.<\/p>\n
Firstly, a brief introduction should be made on the meaning of Assistive Technology. These devices can be devices that substitutes or enhances physical or mental ability. According to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Assistive Technology devices are termed as \u201cany item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities\u201d. These devices can be any homemade or commercially sold device which helps individuals perform some daily tasks and hence ranges from low tech to high tech (pencil grips, Braille readers, etc)<\/p>\n
In the UK, the government tend to encourage equal participation of all individuals especially those with disabilities and thus, extends the use of AT in the health and social care sectors. Prior to this, disabled personnel\u2019s are considered as priorities in all cases which then lead to the term called Accommodation in the use of AT devices.<\/p>\n
It might sound rather daunting in using this word here, but it also plays a vital role as it relates to a way of modifying tasks for the disabled so that they can participate equally regardless of the nature of their condition. For instance, the use of calculator for a disabled student that cannot remember mathematic figures is a way of accommodating his\/her present conditions.<\/p>\n
Describing a range of communications technologies available to services and service users.<\/p>\n
Analysing barriers to the use of assistive technologies in health and social care<\/p>\n
Poor short term memory in elderly ones<\/p>\n
Lower motivation and learning level present at elderly age<\/p>\n
Explaining benefits of technologies to organisations and individuals.<\/p>\n
Wellford in (Birren, J. 1959) agreed with the importance of AT which makes life easier for the elderly, but was pessimistic as well saying that these devices deteriorates rapidly as the complexity increases. also,<\/p>\n
We are all aware that whenever change is being made, everyone wants to know the benefits of it to us. For instance, in the political field, different parties campaign for election, but before people cast their vote, they will like to know the manifesto and intentions of various candidates and what they have to offer which will be beneficial. Similarly, these disabled ones will like to know the benefits of these devices before they can accept it and listed below are some of the benefits of AT to individuals;<\/p>\n
Benefits of AT to an individual<\/p>\n
This can be categorized into different sections as illustrated below;<\/p>\n
Activities of daily life<\/p>\n
Inner relations<\/p>\n
Outer relations\u00a0<\/p>\n
The category applicable to individuals is the inner relations which encompasses of;<\/p>\n
Helping individuals to have a good self-esteem<\/p>\n
Building up their confidence by the use of the devices<\/p>\n
By also ensuring that they are safe from harm and risks<\/p>\n
By relieving them of some or all of their initial pains<\/p>\n
By eliminating discomfort in their lives<\/p>\n
Below are list of devices and products of different assistive technology been used.<\/p>\n
canes<\/p>\n
cane accessories<\/p>\n
crutches<\/p>\n
crutch accessories<\/p>\n
walkers<\/p>\n
walker accessories<\/p>\n
bath tubs<\/p>\n
bathroom remodel<\/p>\n
bathroom sinks<\/p>\n
cabinets<\/p>\n
ceiling track lift<\/p>\n
chair stair lift<\/p>\n
doors\/auto open<\/p>\n
drinking fountain<\/p>\n
elevators<\/p>\n
house plans<\/p>\n
kitchen remodel<\/p>\n
kitchen sinks\/appliances<\/p>\n
lighting<\/p>\n
pool lifts<\/p>\n
ramps<\/p>\n
safety\/security<\/p>\n
showers<\/p>\n
toilets<\/p>\n
wheelchair lifts<\/p>\n
cribs\/playpens<\/p>\n
high chairs<\/p>\n
mattresses\/bedding<\/p>\n
monitors<\/p>\n
strollers<\/p>\n
walkers<\/p>\n
augmentative communication devices (electronic)<\/p>\n
book holders<\/p>\n
communication boards<\/p>\n
electric page turners<\/p>\n
head wands<\/p>\n
light pointers<\/p>\n
manual page turners<\/p>\n
mouth sticks<\/p>\n
personal voice amplification<\/p>\n
reading machines<\/p>\n
signal systems<\/p>\n
telephone access<\/p>\n
television adaptations<\/p>\n
typewriters<\/p>\n
typing aids<\/p>\n
writing aids<\/p>\n
Braille printers<\/p>\n
computer supplies<\/p>\n
computer work stations<\/p>\n
cursor control<\/p>\n
expanded keyboards<\/p>\n
interface adaptation<\/p>\n
keyboards<\/p>\n
key guards<\/p>\n
mini keyboards<\/p>\n
other keyboards<\/p>\n
printers<\/p>\n
special computer systems tactile printers<\/p>\n
visual accessories\/modifications<\/p>\n
voice recognition systems<\/p>\n
voice synthesizers<\/p>\n
assessment\/evaluation\/training<\/p>\n
communication<\/p>\n
educational<\/p>\n
large print<\/p>\n
recreation\/games<\/p>\n
special access<\/p>\n
switch operated<\/p>\n
talking<\/p>\n
tools\/word processing\/database<\/p>\n
voice recognition<\/p>\n
arm\/wrist supports<\/p>\n
back supports<\/p>\n
CRT access<\/p>\n
ergo joystick<\/p>\n
industrial workstations<\/p>\n
office workstations<\/p>\n
seat\/chair<\/p>\n
tools<\/p>\n
alert\/signal systems<\/p>\n
audio loop systems<\/p>\n
FM amplification systems<\/p>\n
Hearing aids<\/p>\n
infrared amplification systems<\/p>\n
personal amplification systems<\/p>\n
TDDs\/TTYs<\/p>\n
telephone adaptations<\/p>\n
TV amplifiers<\/p>\n
TV decoders<\/p>\n
beds\/mattresses<\/p>\n
food preparation<\/p>\n
housekeeping<\/p>\n
lift chairs\/lift cushions<\/p>\n
other furniture<\/p>\n
protective bed\/padding<\/p>\n
shopping aids<\/p>\n
special pillows<\/p>\n
blood pressure\/pulse<\/p>\n
diabetic equipment<\/p>\n
dispenser aids<\/p>\n
other medical equipment<\/p>\n
pressure monitors<\/p>\n
scales<\/p>\n
signal systems<\/p>\n
stethoscopes<\/p>\n
thermometers<\/p>\n
adult bikes\/trikes<\/p>\n
adult light weight<\/p>\n
adult travel chairs<\/p>\n
car seats\/bed<\/p>\n
child light weight<\/p>\n
hand operated trikes<\/p>\n
manual stretchers<\/p>\n
manual wheelchair<\/p>\n
patient chairs<\/p>\n
portable ramps<\/p>\n
power stretchers<\/p>\n
powered standing wheelchair<\/p>\n
powered wheelchair<\/p>\n
recliner<\/p>\n
sports\/racing<\/p>\n
standing wheelchair<\/p>\n
strollers<\/p>\n
three-wheeled mobility devices<\/p>\n
travel chairs<\/p>\n
braces<\/p>\n
foot orthotics<\/p>\n
helmets<\/p>\n
restraints<\/p>\n
splints<\/p>\n
supports<\/p>\n
bathing accessories<\/p>\n
carrying<\/p>\n
dishes\/utensils<\/p>\n
drinking<\/p>\n
feeding accessories<\/p>\n
feeding devices<\/p>\n
grab bars\/grips\/handles<\/p>\n
grooming<\/p>\n
hygiene<\/p>\n
incontinent supplies<\/p>\n
mechanical transfer lift<\/p>\n
reaching<\/p>\n
shower\/bath chair<\/p>\n
smoking<\/p>\n
stationary commode<\/p>\n
toileting accessories<\/p>\n
transfer board<\/p>\n
wheeled bath chair\/commode<\/p>\n
bolster chairs<\/p>\n
corner chairs<\/p>\n
decubiti\u2019s cushion<\/p>\n
other cushions<\/p>\n
other therapeutic seats<\/p>\n
postural support hardware<\/p>\n
postural support systems<\/p>\n
pressure monitors<\/p>\n
wheelchair cushion<\/p>\n
mounting hardware<\/p>\n
other switches<\/p>\n
wheelchair controls<\/p>\n
ambulation training<\/p>\n
balance training<\/p>\n
crawling\/scooting<\/p>\n
elevated mat tables<\/p>\n
exercise equipment<\/p>\n
fine motor<\/p>\n
gross motor<\/p>\n
hydrotherapy<\/p>\n
mats<\/p>\n
pain relief<\/p>\n
Para podiums<\/p>\n
perceptual motor<\/p>\n
positioning<\/p>\n
prone standers<\/p>\n
rolls\/inclines<\/p>\n
sensory integration<\/p>\n
sexual aids<\/p>\n
side lying boards<\/p>\n
stand tables<\/p>\n
strengthening<\/p>\n
supine standers<\/p>\n
treatment tables<\/p>\n
upright frames<\/p>\n
assistive accessories<\/p>\n
driving controls<\/p>\n
motorcycles\/conversions<\/p>\n
ramps<\/p>\n
seat belts<\/p>\n
vehicle access<\/p>\n
vehicle conversions<\/p>\n
vehicles<\/p>\n
wheelchair lifts<\/p>\n
wheelchair loaders\/carriers<\/p>\n
wheelchair restraint systems<\/p>\n
braille<\/p>\n
clocks\/watches<\/p>\n
labeling<\/p>\n
large button phone<\/p>\n
large print books<\/p>\n
magnification systems<\/p>\n
magnifiers<\/p>\n
sensors\/safety\/security<\/p>\n
speaker phone<\/p>\n
taped\/audio books<\/p>\n
calculators<\/p>\n
other devices<\/p>\n
talking equipment<\/p>\n
adjustable tables<\/p>\n
classroom equipment<\/p>\n
education\/instruction<\/p>\n
literature\/books<\/p>\n
office equipment<\/p>\n
tools<\/p>\n
vocational assessment\/training<\/p>\n
work station\/desks<\/p>\n
(Word Count: 1250 Words)<\/p>\n
2.1 Analyzing how the use of assistive technologies may support independent living.<\/p>\n
As we all know, AT can only be beneficial if the solutions have a usability value for the individual end user. Prior to this, clients who also are humans have different needs in life which they will want to be respected and considered when introducing any device to them. These needs are classified as below:<\/p>\n
Physical (body) -Basics (food warmth, shelter), Protection, Medication<\/p>\n
Intellectual (Mind) \u2013 Education, Stimulation<\/p>\n
Emotional (feelings) \u2013 Support, love, respect<\/p>\n
Social (people) \u2013 friends, mixing with others, seeing friends & family, translators,<\/p>\n
Cultural-Ethnicity, religion, festivals, dress, language, diet, prayer times, community magazine<\/p>\n
From the above, we can now ensure that all or some of these needs are considered when providing devices for them. Fortunately for us and them as well, different AT\u2019s have being developed which supports them in the following ways;<\/p>\n
Moving about in the home<\/p>\n
Knowing what clothes to put on<\/p>\n
Lifting up and holding a child<\/p>\n
Getting up in the morning<\/p>\n
Opening and shutting windows<\/p>\n
Understanding and being understood<\/p>\n
Dressing and undressing<\/p>\n
Managing incontinence<\/p>\n
Moving about for shopping and banking<\/p>\n
Making food to eat<\/p>\n
Managing medication<\/p>\n
Driving<\/p>\n
Playing various games<\/p>\n
Access to educational material and school<\/p>\n
Access to media<\/p>\n
Access to computers and regular software<\/p>\n
Weeding of garden, etc.<\/p>\n
2.2 Evaluating the use of assistive technology for one specific health and social care service user.<\/p>\n
Making recommendations of how assistive technologies might enhance services for individuals with specific health and social care need<\/p>\n
Conclusions cannot just be made on how AT is important to the disbled without firstly, acknowledging that its efficiency is based on some criterions like;<\/p>\n
Characteristics of the individuals user<\/p>\n
Characteristics of the AT in use<\/p>\n
The service delivery process<\/p>\n
The integration of provision services into rehabilitation strategy<\/p>\n
(Word Count: 1000 Words)<\/p>\n
Describing health and safety considerations in the use of assistive technologies.<\/p>\n
Analyzing ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies.<\/p>\n
Describing the impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health and social care services, organizations and workers.<\/p>\n
Suggest how assistive technologies might influence the role or workers in health and social care in the future.<\/p>\n
(Word Count: 1000 Words)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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