ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Patrick Bongo What is Assistive Technology

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Patrick Bongo

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

Assistive Technology u Mobility Aids – Crutches – Wheeled Walkers – Wheelchairs – Walking sticks – Hoist – Chair lift

Assistive Technology u Communication aids – Picture telephones – Alarms – Pagers – Hearing aids – Speech recognition – Sensory detectors

Assistive Technology u Other aids to Daily Living u Bath chairs u Bed rails u Foot rests u Grab rails u Commodes

Benefits of Assistive Technology for People suffering from Dementia Assistive technology can help to support and enable people with memory problems including Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia to live more independently. For example, assistive technology and telecare can help to: u remind the person to take their tablets at the right time u help locate a lost item u orientate the person that it is day time or night time u assist the person to phone a relative or friend using pre-programmed numbers or pictures Trent Dementia Services Development Centre (2008)

Benefits of Assistive Technology for People suffering from Dementia switch on the lights automatically if the person gets up at night time u switch off the gas automatically if it has been left unlit u alert a carer or monitoring centre that the person needs assistance. u Assistive technology may also help to support and reassure carers. For example, it may free carers to spend better quality time with the person. Or it may enable a carer to get a good nights rest, knowing that if the person gets up at night they will be alerted. u Trent Dementia Services Development Centre (2008)

Limitations of Assistive Technology for People suffering with Dementia If assistive technology does not meet the individual needs and preferences of the person it may be ineffective or may even cause additional confusion or distress. For example, assistive technology and telecare may not be the answer if: the person switches off or unplugs the equipment u the person is confused or distressed by any alarm sounds or recorded messages u Trent Dementia Services Development Centre (2008)

Limitations of Assistive Technology for People suffering with Dementia there are insufficient carers or care workers to respond to an alert. u Assistive technology on its own cannot provide human contact and personal care. Many older people experience loneliness and social isolation. Technology should only be provided as an addition to contact and care, not as a replacement. u Trent Dementia Services Development Centre (2008)

Privacy Service user dignity may be violated e. g. Hoist u There could be loss of privacy for the service user e. g. wheelchair: having someone with you where ever you want to go. u Sensory detectors used in telecare technology may give the impression that the client’s moves are being watched at all time. u

Autonomy Consent of service user or client must be sought before coercing them to using the device. u Lack of freedom as one needs to depend on other people to move around e. g. wheelchair u Focus on person’s problems only while failing to capitalise on existing strengths e. g. Use of mobility device could take away the need to exercise u Device may be used to cut contact with service user e. g. Telecare u

Care worker/service user interactions u Care worker needs to be willing to support the service user in using the device u Service user needs to be motivated to use the device u Service user must be able to learn new tasks if the device requires user input e. g. Speech recognition

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