ASSISTIVE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGY

Patrick BongoPatrick Bongo

What is Assistive Technology?What is Assistive Technology?

The term ‘assistive technology’ can The term ‘assistive technology’ can be defined as “any device or system be defined as “any device or system that allows an individual to perform a that allows an individual to perform a task that they would otherwise be task that they would otherwise be unable to do, or increases the ease unable to do, or increases the ease and safety with which the task can and safety with which the task can be performed.” (Royal Commission be performed.” (Royal Commission on Long Term Care 1999). on Long Term Care 1999).

Assistive Technology Assistive Technology

Mobility AidsMobility Aids– CrutchesCrutches– Wheeled WalkersWheeled Walkers– WheelchairsWheelchairs– Walking sticksWalking sticks– HoistHoist– Chair liftChair lift

Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology

Communication aidsCommunication aids– Picture telephonesPicture telephones– AlarmsAlarms– PagersPagers– Hearing aidsHearing aids– Speech recognition Speech recognition – Sensory detectorsSensory detectors

Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology

Other aids to Daily LivingOther aids to Daily Living Bath chairsBath chairs Bed railsBed rails Foot restsFoot rests Grab railsGrab rails CommodesCommodes

Benefits of Assistive Technology forBenefits of Assistive Technology forPeople suffering from DementiaPeople suffering from DementiaAssistive technology can help to support andAssistive technology can help to support andenable people with memory problems includingenable people with memory problems includingAlzheimer's disease and other forms of dementiaAlzheimer's disease and other forms of dementiato live more independently. For example, assistiveto live more independently. For example, assistivetechnology and telecare can help to:technology and telecare can help to: remind the person to take their tablets at the remind the person to take their tablets at the

right time right time help locate a lost item help locate a lost item orientate the person that it is day time or night orientate the person that it is day time or night

time time assist the person to phone a relative or friend assist the person to phone a relative or friend

using pre-programmed numbers or pictures using pre-programmed numbers or pictures

Trent Dementia Services Development Centre (2008)

Benefits of Assistive Technology forBenefits of Assistive Technology forPeople suffering from DementiaPeople suffering from Dementia

switch on the lights automatically if the switch on the lights automatically if the person gets up at night time person gets up at night time

switch off the gas automatically if it has switch off the gas automatically if it has been left unlit been left unlit

alert a carer or monitoring centre that the alert a carer or monitoring centre that the person needs assistance.person needs assistance.

Assistive technology may also help to Assistive technology may also help to support and reassure carers. For example, support and reassure carers. For example, it may free carers to spend better quality it may free carers to spend better quality time with the person. Or it may enable a time with the person. Or it may enable a carer to get a good nights rest, knowing carer to get a good nights rest, knowing that if the person gets up at night they will that if the person gets up at night they will be alerted.be alerted.

Trent Dementia Services Development Centre (2008)

Limitations of Assistive Technology for Limitations of Assistive Technology for People suffering with DementiaPeople suffering with Dementia

If assistive technology does not meet theIf assistive technology does not meet theindividual needs and preferences of the personindividual needs and preferences of the personit may be ineffective or may even causeit may be ineffective or may even causeadditional confusion or distress. For example,additional confusion or distress. For example,assistive technology and telecare may not beassistive technology and telecare may not bethe answer if:the answer if:

the person switches off or unplugs the the person switches off or unplugs the equipment equipment

the person is confused or distressed by any the person is confused or distressed by any alarm sounds or recorded messages alarm sounds or recorded messages

Trent Dementia Services Development Centre (2008)

Limitations of Assistive Technology for Limitations of Assistive Technology for People suffering with DementiaPeople suffering with Dementia

there are insufficient carers or care there are insufficient carers or care workers to respond to an alert.workers to respond to an alert.

Assistive technology on its own cannot Assistive technology on its own cannot provide human contact and personal care. provide human contact and personal care. Many older people experience loneliness Many older people experience loneliness and social isolation. Technology should and social isolation. Technology should only be provided as an addition to contact only be provided as an addition to contact and care, not as a replacement. and care, not as a replacement. 

Trent Dementia Services Development Centre (2008)

PrivacyPrivacy

Service user dignity may be violated e.g. Service user dignity may be violated e.g. HoistHoist

There could be loss of privacy for the There could be loss of privacy for the service user e.g. wheelchair: having service user e.g. wheelchair: having someone with you where ever you want to someone with you where ever you want to go. go.

Sensory detectors used in telecare Sensory detectors used in telecare technology may give the impression that technology may give the impression that the client’s moves are being watched at all the client’s moves are being watched at all time. time.

AutonomyAutonomy Consent of service user or client must be Consent of service user or client must be

sought before coercing them to using the sought before coercing them to using the device.device.

Lack of freedom as one needs to depend Lack of freedom as one needs to depend on other people to move around e.g. on other people to move around e.g. wheelchairwheelchair

Focus on person’s problems only while Focus on person’s problems only while failing to capitalise on existing strengths failing to capitalise on existing strengths e.g. Use of mobility device could take e.g. Use of mobility device could take away the need to exerciseaway the need to exercise

Device may be used to cut contact with Device may be used to cut contact with service user e.g. Telecareservice user e.g. Telecare

Care worker/service user Care worker/service user interactionsinteractions

Care worker needs to be willing to Care worker needs to be willing to support the service user in using the support the service user in using the devicedevice

Service user needs to be motivated Service user needs to be motivated to use the deviceto use the device

Service user must be able to learn Service user must be able to learn new tasks if the device requires user new tasks if the device requires user input e.g. Speech recognitioninput e.g. Speech recognition

Data Protection ActData Protection Act

Concerns about the use of computer Concerns about the use of computer technologies that rely on sharing and technologies that rely on sharing and storing information and the need to storing information and the need to ensure such information remains ensure such information remains confidential, is not misused or confidential, is not misused or negligently passed into the wrong negligently passed into the wrong hands. This concern has been hands. This concern has been heightened by recent news stories heightened by recent news stories concerning the loss of personal data. concerning the loss of personal data. (Disabled Living Foundation, 2008).(Disabled Living Foundation, 2008).