Supporting Independent Living Student Name: Nzuzi Rosaria Artur Student ID: P1019897 Lecturer: Chileshe Cecilia

Introduction
In this article I am going to explain how technology can be implemented to support users to live independently, also I am to analyse barriers of technology, to explain the benefits of technology in health and social care, to talk about health and safety considerations, to talk about the ethical consideration of assistive technologies, to give explanation of the impact of budding technology development, on health and social care services, between organisations and care workers, to define the specific needs, to identify specific needs of an individual require to be supported to live independently, and to linked it to Sally' s case study. To recommend which technologies, must support the independent living arrangements, and finally to evaluate the usefulness of technology for users of health and social care services.
Task 1
1.1 Explain how technology can be used to support users of health and social care services in living independently. Disability rights commission rule (2002) extracts the word independent living and refers to entirely disable, individuals meeting the equal selection, control and freedom as any other citizen at home, at work, and in the community. Does not necessarily mean disabled persons they do everything for themselves it does means the rights to practical assistance people need should be share on their own choices and ambition. Independent Living is about disabled people having voice, same point of choice and control over any documentation they need to move about their daily lives. (Munro and Elder-Woodward, 1992). Service users are people who use health and social care services, and also they are potential users of health and social care services, this includes disabled people and people who identify as survivors of the mental health systems, people who have physical or sensory impairments, young people, elderly people who have received services. And for the patients who using the services of health and social care services, become the users of health care service. An example, when you are sick, you go to see your General Practitioner whatever health, social care service is not limited to your doctor. There are other places where to get the services such as hospital, day care centres, schools, nursing homes and places of work. Patients using the services provided by the health care centres are the users of the services, also the equal right services for disabled people is provided by the health and social care services. Social care services provide assistive technologies for the above named categories to enable them live independent lives. Assistive technology (AT) is any item of equipment, device, and software or product system used to increase, defending, or bettering the operating the capability of disabled persons. Without Assistive technology the patients are not able to perform the work. There are several kinds of equipment’s which helps a patient to do their job. Also, there are diverse kinds of equipment’s made for a particular objective, and this equipment is assembled relating to its requirement. Supportive technology helps the patients to complete their work. A responsive technology supports them to take care of risks, technology like preventive helps to prevent harm situations and hazards. Other assistive technology like smoke or temperature detectors, help people to detect smoke or temperature. And others devices which can support individuals with disabilities like hearing will be counseled to use learning aid, eye vision will be given eye glasses, and those who can't walk will be given scooter or wheelchair and others. (Dougherty, Radomski and Allen, 1993) Relating to Sally’s situation, she might persist her job as a decision-making account in the association through to apply of assistive technology. Her vision injury associated with the use of an enlarged keyboard to make sure that she remains as productive as previous. Sally was referred to the occupational therapist for an ankle-foot orthosis for her right foot and a cane to improve her mobility. The specialist worked together to find other helps to facilitate additional activities, for sally's personal care activities like using a dressing stick and toothbrush handles, and using kitchen etc. The assistive technologies provided by Sally helped her live an independent and to improve her lifestyle. For example, the use of adapted keyboard and car Sally was still being capable to continue her job and drive her daughter to soccer practice. A digital memory reminder given to her helped to remember and complete her takes on time. And the dressing stick helped Sally to dress herself. 1.2 Analyse barriers to the use of technology to support users of health and social care services in living independently. Most of the technical equipment used by an individual with a handicap is very pricey. For example, the computers, scooters, etc. they require money to buy and maintain them especially when they go down. There is demand to compensate them or even replacing them and many these individuals cannot afford to compensate for all these expenses, it ends up being the responsibility for the government to provide for all these expenses, and limits the disabled people to access the equipment which is postulated to be fending for them due to the cuts in government spending towards some health services that the national health services (NHS) is running out. And this leads to the local agencies to identify people in residential care rather than to defend them to dwell in their own house. In club to limit this barrier, the government should increase the budget to help the monetary value of device needed for the people who require them resistance to change in this device, people refuse because they don't hold the information about the alteration. Lack of knowledge, without awareness of Assistive technology, service supplier will have trouble meeting that command, require of correct guidance is one of the barriers of AT, due to incorrect selection of the device a difference is real potential to occur, and because this difference between the patient and the device results in frustration. According to sally 's case study it could be a barrier if sally was not trained to use the new device provided to her to live independently.
Lack of confidence in professionals of using these devices can run them into trouble, to the reason, if they offend them, they will ante up, or if the individual use them and hurt the service user, the worker may end up being suspended, and some organisations have the fear to harm themselves or others, so these ends up not utilizing these devices and across using other options in addition to limit this barrier there must be continuous training for the staff, at least every year to bring in a new device, to assist them to build their knowledge of the assistive technology, to establish up their confidence. (De Jonge, Scherer and Rodger, 2007)
1.3 explain the benefits of these technologies to health and social care organisations and their users.
Use of technology can be a great assistance in life, because they can be seen as an extra hand and it can be available to use at all times. Sally in her condition, can benefit from assistive technology allowing her to continue to work as an executive account in an organization. Well, there are several beneficial features of the use of assistive: Easy availability of such devices: The health care organization cannot provide clients with a better service in terms of personal staff or nurses but this cannot be done due to funding. However, lower prices in certain devices, it could assist to assure certain individual needs as there will be a lot more service to be provided. “Even the government helps such products with less or no taxes and subsidy offers to the organizations” (Sloan, 1996)
Relating to Sally was specified a dressing stick and toothbrush handles to support her through personal care performance and this took Sally to live independently, instead of depending on other persons (Vincent, 2011).

Health and social organisations could also benefit from assistive technology. They could benefit by reducing the number of acute hospital admissions, looking over the year the percentage of admissions have increased due to the aging population. For example, by monitoring patients from their homes through the use of telehealth system, and this leads to reduce demand for acute hospital outpatient services. (Audit-commission. Gov. UK. 2015).

The advantages of assistive technology to health and social care systems like schools and hospitals. Individuals who endure from cognitive diseases can be noticed with the help of electrical devices (Hudson, 2002). Hospitals and schools can give maximum care to the patients with the assistance of devices of Assistive Technology. Individuals who endure from dementia or have the routine of deteriorating down can be put on these devices and the hospitals can take care of them in their best potential conduct.
Task 2
2.1 explain health and safety considerations in the use of technologies in health and social care. The Health and Safety at work Act 1974, is an act to make further preparation for ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of persons at work, however, this Act is there for protecting others against risks to health or safety in connection with the actions of the soul, consequently the health and safety is for controlling keeping, and preventing the wrongful possession of whatever perils that can involve the environment. (Legislation. Gov. UK, 2015). According to health and safety legislation, it has been recognised that the jeopardy assessment must be reckoned at all time, to prevent the risks that are present and to identify each aspect to reduce the risks. Risk assessment can be defined as simply a deliberate examination of what in the workplace can cause harm to people. The aim of the risk assessment process is to get rid of a hazard or reduce the level of its risks, by adding precautions or control criteria as necessary. For example, the administration has a legal duty of care to ensure that, clients, staff wellness and safety, welfare are protected in the workplace, and any activity such as heavy loads, handlings and lifting requires to stand out a risk assessment. Even the staff must be aware that, any equipment is assessed and cleaned before using them. (hse. Gov. UK). Underneath is what health and safety have to be considered while using assistive technology in health and social care practice, such as: Considering the level and stage of cognitive impairment of the service user, they have to assess and consider the mental capacity of the service user, to observe the condition of the person if is able, or fit to use the devices, which are appropriate for the client. And if the client is not capable of utilising the device later, professionals must locate some other alternative to avoid the danger. A patient of dementia cannot be provided with assistive technology. For an instant according to Sally’s case study, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which is an inflammatory disease in which the insulating cover of the nerve cell in the brain and spinal cord, are damaged. And this situation sometimes causes memory loss. And the pros had to assess Sally's mental capacity before to consider which assistive technology would become her to avoid any risks, then the psychologist provided Sally with a hand held personal digital (PDA) called the pocket-coach to help her memory skill. The organization must provide training of staff or service users, staff should have knowledge on how to use these devices whilst caring for the service users because if they go in and they have no idea on how to use a device like a hoist, it might contribute to dangers to staff by damaging their backs while lifting because they are trying to sate in their daily undertakings, and patients being dropped down while lifting or bruised. In sum, to ward off all these risks to happen, the staff should be fixed. According to Sally's case study, she was trained on how to use the new facilities, which were fixed on her car to avoid the hazards. (Health and safety Act 1974). They should consider the capacity of the building when choosing assistive technology. For example, if the service user requires a ceiling hoist to be supported for lifting, the professionals should measure the room where it is starting to be touched and to ensure that the ceiling is solid plenty to defend the service user though on the hoist. And if the ceiling is not suited for the type of hoist, then the professionals they have to look for a different choice approximating with the mobile hoist. And by getting a different alternative, they can prevent the risks with no hassle. Also the availability should be weighed, like for instance if a service user was going to be given scooter, it is important to find out if there is a lift where the customer exists, and if not, then should move the client where there is access to a lift or in a ground floor house.
2.2 Discuss ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies.
Ethics can be defined as an organisation of dominion. These principles are practiced by people while making important decision. It can be defined as moral philosophy. Before looking at getting an assistive technology for clients, we must recall that they are our priority and thus, have to be consulted before to ensure their preference is preserved, they convey their impression about the conclusion and see that they are cognizant of the assistive technology.

Ethics can help us see the conflict between the right and wrong approach. For example, offering them the best attention and treatment, that deliver medical benefits, which reflects to their benefit, and observing what the service user requires. (Rasheed, 2010). On that point are four principles in ethics such as: beneficence, Non-maleficence, Justice and Autonomy.
The principle of beneficence striving to be of benefit to someone aiming to do better results. Assistive technology has an opportunity to advantage a service user. By using these devices, it provides a secure and self-confidence, and reduce unwanted dependence on professional staff or family carers. Also increase control and comfort. To utilize the assistive technology for the healthcare professionals it is vital to evaluate the service user before, and ensure that the device will benefit the service user. User. Linking up to Sally's the healthcare professionals recognise that she might be gaining from some device like the pocket-coach, which helps her memory skills. And this device assisted Sally in not to forget to get hold of her medication, and not be depending on her family carer to remind her.
The principle of non-maleficence states that we should act in ways that do not inflict or cause hurt to another, (do no harm) in this case professional should keep off the danger while using assistive technology. Assistive technology can benefit an individual and also has the potential to expose people to risk. And if at that point is a risk observed while they are recommending a device to the service user, that should be answered by finding some other alternative, because if they don't minimise will create confusion and distress to service user and carer while using the gimmick.
Autonomy is about respecting someone's right to think, like self-determination, privacy, freedom, choice and also informed consent in everyday life that is frequently approved. Once people rely on professionals or family carers, for their safety monitoring the introduction of assistive technology can be considerable support or restrict autonomy. For example, Professionals must give service user's choices in accommodation, treatment areas, diet, etc. according to Sally's I think she should be given a chance to deliver knowledge about the device she was failing to use and she should be able to pluck out what type of device suits her needs.
Justice has in the interests of treating everyone is handled fairly. From providing access to technology equally, or reading into account diversity and private conflicts. For example, if there are different service users who require a particular device, but both are in the same spot the professionals have to balance and to debate who was the first on the list, so that the device can be used to the first on that list. In Sally's case the GP treated fairly and referred her to different masters and they recommended Sally diverse devices that supported her to satisfy her demand.
2.3 explain the impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health and social care services, organisations and care workers.
There have been frequent advances in assistive technologies that can be applied to support users of health and social care, and while using assistive technology care workers avoid time surplus and less power is exhausted. For example, in the past days the actors employed to hook up the service users, and they used a batch of energy by the time they are filled out by raising all the clients are tired, and this result by leading to poor services promoted to the service users. And by using assistive technology like hoists to move up, it builds it more easy-going for the care workers to motivate close to the service users and there is no time to waste, a lesser amount of injury for the service user and the doers. Also, using a computer-link is recommended which encourage carers to sing about issues with each other using a public announcement board have ready access to an electronic encyclopaedias of information, and get individual advice and support throughout individual e-mail from nurses or outside the system. Thither is a negative impact like cost on developing staff for example the staff has to have continuous training on the usage of the hoist devices. Staff must have knowledge on how to use the hoist to avoid injuries on both the service users and the care workers (Department of Health, 2008).
Emerging technological development have brought about the promotion of health and safety for example, if staff is using assistive technology like the hoist, there is less injuries at work because lifting is not allowed anymore. Those days staff use to lift a lot and they would end up injuring their backs hence calling in sick at workplace which means the organisations used to pay staff sick pay which would end up affecting their budget but by introducing hoists, there is less injuries and saves the organisation from spending money but the negative impact of this point is that these devices tend to be of high cost(maintenance, training, equipment’s) in other words the equipment’s are so expensive , the organisation has to train staff on how to use and maintain the equipment’s so that means it will be costly for the organisation to buy and maintain the devices/equipment (Vincent, 2011). Emerging technological development have also brought about efficiency and quality of care. For example, the use of computer systems to store and retrieve patient’s medical files which means one can be attended to without waiting for their file to be brought to the place where they are. The only downside of these systems is that they are expensive and government other agencies are running on low budgets. On the other hand, if an authorised person gets access into the system can breach the confidentiality and also put patients on the risk
Assistive technology promotes independence, autonomy and create efficiency in the work. Helps to control potential risks in and around the home, reduce early access into care homes and hospitals, reduce the pressure on carers, and improving their quality of life. Like for example hoist, blood pleasure machine, sliding sheet.
With the introduction of assistive technology, the care workers have less jobs compared to the days when people used to depend on them. Presently, people are liable to depend on the devices of Assistive Technology and try to live an individual spirit. Care workers have been immensely benefited by the assistive technology. They can immediately monitor and assume attention of patients as the devices play the vital role in taking charge of the patients (Cralley, 1979). The organizations like hospitals, schools are instantly at ease as using these devices help reduce the job of the people who work with this governing body and make sure safety. On the hand, with the emergence of more devices, they can be a menace to the organisations.
Task 3
Introduction: This report talks about a 62-year-old lady called Maggie. She suffers from dementia. She is in the early stage of dementia. Dementia is described as set of symptoms, that might comprise in memory loss and problems with judgment, problem-solving or language. Dementia is caused when the brain is injured by disease, such as Alzheimer’s or a series of strokes. Maggie is a lady who is extremely energetic. But after her husband’s death, she has been suffering from dementia. She often leaves her home at night as she does not interpret the difference between day or night time. The family is worried about Maggie’s behaviour. She is also suffering from forgetfulness. The family is of the opinion due to her weird actions, she can be forgotten about her pills.
3.1 identify specific needs of an individual requiring support to live independently.
Special needs are individual requirements of a person with a disadvantage background or a mental, emotional, physical disability or a high risk of acquiring one. (Glazed et al., 2010) Maggie a 62-year-old who has early beginning dementia. Dementia affects people in many ways, and symptoms vary between Alzheimer's disease and types of dementia, there are similarities among them all and the most usual signs are loss, memory and practical abilities which can lead to neglect from social activities and workplace. An individual with dementia find that their mental powers are waning, they often feel vulnerable and in need of encouragement and support. The people adjoining to them, like friends, family, carers and health care professionals they must execute everything to help the individual to maintain their brain of identity and feeling of self-worth. (Wilkinson, 2002). In case of Maggie, she is an individual affected from dementia in different ways, like finding difficulties to recognise people and places, remembering where they live and having difficulties to find their way back home, she has a poor short memory, and she finds difficulties in completing their everyday tasks and activities. The following are the particular needs identified to support Maggie in order for her to survive independently. Granting to the case study Maggie needs constant monitoring because she is vulnerable and her family has fears of her leaving her home at night and then she demands constant monitoring due to her vulnerability, for her safety not to go out at night and monitoring her medication because in the case study, Homecare turn up at her home early in the morning and she has already gone which means she sometimes leaves out her medication and meals.
Safeguarding, according to the case study Maggie has early beginning dementia and one of the major cipher is remembrance failure and this is the cause why Maggie tend to leave at night, leave the tap on, and she can also forget and leave the cooker on, while cooking and this can lead to fire so because there is concern about her safety and her being vulnerable, she needs to be protected from floods because she has been forgetting to turn off her taps in the flat and therefore the special need to be identified will be safeguarding (Tassoni, 2003).
Emotional needs, according to the case study Maggie, she recently lost her husband, which she is still inconsolable and she feels low and lonely. Maggie will need to be supported emotional counselling, Maggie needs intellectual need, as we see she is dementia person and disorientated, a fortnight ago her daughter, Lisa paid her a visit and she found water flowing out of her door. Maggie needs a physical need, to spend her energy with the activity which is going to motivate with her brain, as we see she is an extremely active lady who goes out on a number of occasions each day.
3.2 Recommend appropriate assistive devices in order to support Maggie to continue living independently.
For Maggie in order to let her live independently and lacking depending on her household. She is recommended to use, pocket-coach device, to remind her to take her medication and not to skip her meals. She has been reported skipping meals and medication, and this may lead to other health problems. Also, she is recommended to use a clock and calendar to help Maggie not to forget which day it is, because on occasions Homecare arrive early in the morning and Maggie has been already out. She is recommended smoke alarm device because she has been reported also to leave the taps running as a dementia person there are chances that she can leave the cooker on. Therefore, the smoke alarm can prevent the outbreak of fire in Maggie’s house. 3.3 evaluate the usefulness of assistive technology for users of health and social care services.
There are many benefits of assistive technology to health and social care organizations. Those assistive technology is leading, with the help of these devices disabled people can live independently without any dependence on care givers or family members. There are various risks associated with the patients who suffer from dementia. Using the devices of assistive technology can help decrease the risk. If a person is dependent on devices of assistive technology, they don’t need to pay a visit to the hospital at an early age. The devices would help improve the memory of the patients. The patients who suffer from dementia are level to suffer from pressure and they be likely to get tired effortlessly. The devices can be an assist them and also assist their family members. Assistive technology is about enhancing a person's quality of life, through improved outcomes in safeguarding, living standards, social interaction and greater independence, also promotes independence for service users, and productivity for the organisation. This includes increased choice, safety, independence, sense of control and improve quality of life. Example for independence, it will increase the organisation and it will help good interaction and communication. (Brownsell, Bradley and Porteus, 2003).
Some examples of assistive technology
Smoke detector prevent the outbreak of the fire, and saves lives. The negative is for someone with dementia because most of them used battery and they run out. However, they may not be useful for someone like Maggie, who has dementia, especially when she has deteriorated. You find that these devices use batteries and when they run out, she will not remember to replace the new ones since one of the symptoms of dementia is memory loss.
GPS tags are useful for monitoring her where about which is a good way of safeguarding Maggie, but if she deteriorates, she will not be able to wear the tag because of her memory loss or even forget charging the GPS tag which means that her family and carers will not know her were about. Clock-calendar is helpful for people who forget which day, or helps with confusion about the time, day of the week, month or year. Clocks can help to prevent disorientation. With this device will help Maggie with her disorientated problems.
Locator device can be attached to a key ring, and helps a person to find lost item belongings by pressing a colour code button on a radio transmitter and the device with the corresponding colour will beep until the item is picked up. The negative side is the transmitter itself may be mislaid, but, fixing it to the wall, or keeping it in a particular place can help to prevent this to happen.(Atdementia.org.UK,2015).
Assistive technology useful to Maggie is a clock, calendar, because she recently lost her husband, and she goes out on a number of occasions each day, she is disorientated and this device will help her to remember day to day. A walking steak is not useful for Maggie, because she is a very active lady, computer device might not be helpful for Maggie as well, because she doesn't go to the office.
Dementia is an illness of deteriorating remembrance capability. The mental condition of an individual slowly declines as the infirmity advance (Atdementia. Org. UK, 2015). Maggie is at the early beginning of the wellness. She proposed to practice on diverse device which might aid her in the former stage. She delivers a routine of moving out of home, and she cannot tell between day and night time. Only as the illness will go along, she may get the locator device that will assist to identify Maggie's location, even if person used to it from the beginning of the disease. A different device like personal digital assistant was recommended for her. With the evolution of the disease, she might forget to place it in her pocket and consequently the device might not be helpful to Maggie any longer.

Conclusion: Assistive technology plays a critical role in our fellowship. Additionally, the role of those devices allows the service user to exist independently, also make more comfortable for those who use them. It minimises the danger of accident at work and assist the carers to operate effectively without arming themselves and service user.

References:
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Audit-commission.gov.uk, (2015). Audit Commission | Protecting the public purse. [online] Available at: http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk [Accessed 10 Apr. 2015].

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