Good Health And Safety Consideration In Assistive Technology Essay Example

Independent living is a concept that encompasses the way and manner through which disabled members of the society can live on their own in a safe and happy environment whereby they could get aids and tools that will ameliorate their conditions and give them a life that is as close as possible to persons who do not have the disabilities they have. This implies that independent living revolves around the ways and means through which disabled people could live a higher quality of life through the use of various technological, sociological and health-oriented systems that improves the kind of life such individuals have.
1.1 Technology and the Support of Health and Social Care Services
Assistive technology is a general term that is used to describe and provide an illustration of the important and vital elements and aspects of technology that is utilised by health professionals and healthcare service providers to ease the pain and challenges of disabled persons and persons with various kinds of physical limitations. Assistive technology typically implies devices and systems that are used by various patients and persons with medical conditions to achieve ends that they cannot achieve due to their illnesses and challenges.
Assistive technology includes various forms of devices that help people to regain their mobility or the utilisation of parts of their bodies that are not functioning as it is supposed to function. Therefore, assistive technology is used in the context of independent living as a system through which people are able to carry out their activities and various lifestyles without having to use the help of other people. For instance, in the case of blind people, assistive technology will aid such persons to carry out various activities that will be equivalent to other people who see without having to rely on another person who will lead such an individual.
Assistive technology helps to provide a system through which modern technology can be commercialised and employed in the lives of people who need it in order to achieve their various ends in life. Assistive technology therefore includes various equipment that ensure that persons with limitations can have a happy life. From the scenario at hand, Sally has gotten several assistive technological products that have been used to get her to have an enhanced life. And this includes cane for mobility, enhanced keyboard that allows her to speak, the new technologies that allows her to drive and carry out her movements and many other things.
1.2 Barriers to the Use of Assistive Technology
The first problem and challenge with assistive technology is that it must be presented to deal with the specific needs and problems of an individual. And since all deformities come with various extent and scopes, there is the need for a patient to be given what he really needs. This is because deformities and challenges are different and there are various elements and aspects of the lives of people with these challenges that causes them varying degrees of challenges. Therefore, there is the need for the right diagnosis to be done in order to provide the right level of attention and recommendations for a given individual who needs help.
In the case of Sally, it is apparent that her case of multiple sclerosis was not properly handled because the diagnosis was not comprehensive enough. The diagnosis in the first 18 months could have covered important things that would include the coverage of major issues that would have culminated in a presentation of major recommendations that would have prevented complications. The diagnosis in the case study are somewhat based on a fire-fighting and ad hoc system as opposed to a logical pattern.
Secondly, the nature of the treatment could be an important cost indicator because it might lead to major cost inflation that would cause a patient to spend a lot of money. From the nature of this case, it is apparent that Sally would have to spend a lot of money and this could prevent some patients from gaining the needs they require. And in this case, it must be stated that a centralised system would provide better options than the current system which demands a lot of money in times where a patient’s strength and ability to make money is on a downward spiral. Also, the financial barrier to assistive technology is accentuated by the fact that most insurance entities do not pay for these technologies. Therefore, it would be better for these insurance entities to cover assistive technologies.
In conclusion, poor diagnosis and high financial costs are the highest barriers to the proper acquisition and utilisation of proper assistive technologies. And in the case of Sally it is apparent that her diagnosis was not comprehensively done. Secondly, the scattered nature of the costs means they will pay more money for these treatments. Due to the scattered nature, Sally will probably get little or no support from her insurers since most insurance coverage does not include assistive technology.
1.3 Benefits of Technologies to Health and Social Care Organisations
The fundamental benefit of assistive technology is that it helps people with physical challenges to get better and improved lifestyles through modern and improved technologies. This is because assistive technology provides elements and features that causes people to get empowered to do things they normally cannot do. This implies that people can get improved situations and circumstances that can allow them to do things without assistance from another person.
Social care on the other hand allows people to get the right emotional support and assistance that are based on the qualitative needs and expectations of an individual. Social care and quality of life are important variables that guide the way and manner within which people recover and get good lives. Hence, there is a general process and procedure for the achievement of important ends in the lives of people who really need them.
As identified in the case at hand, Sally has an issue with multiple sclerosis and this comes with the need for early diagnosis, adjustment and recommendations on the change of a lifestyle for Sally. However, there are regulations and rules on the way and manner in which health and social care can be presented to protect her. And this is fundamentally found in the Health and Safety Legislation of 1974.

The Health and Safety Act, 1974 sets the pace and provides the impetus for obligations to be imputed upon healthcare facilities to take good care of people within their premises. This Act provides the basis for the identification of negligence and its elements in the provision of services to consumers in a given healthcare facility. This definition provides the basis for the imputation of obligations on social workers and the assistive technology that is sold to people who use it. It makes it imperative for the healthcare professional or any technologist or social care expert who is holding himself or herself out as a professional to meet and maintain certain standards of care in order to prevent injury to patients.
Thus, there are minimum standards that are meant to be met in order to take reasonable care to avoid injuring or harming consumers. The consumers will be given the right levels of care and attention and the workers who are agents of these social entities will have to ensure that they follow the right rules, otherwise the employers will incur vicarious liability under HSE, 1974. Therefore, in all the recommendations made to Sally, they must be done in a way and manner that will safeguard her health and her safety in all situations as per HSE 1974. This is because in cases of injuries and troubles, the technological professionals and social service providers are likely to be held accountable and made to become liable for the injuries.

Ethical Considerations in the Use of Assistive Technologies

2.2 Discuss ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies

• Define ethics

• Explain ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies in health and social care
• Explain the benefits of following ethical guidelines in supporting users of health and social care with assistive technologies
• Explain the implications (disadvantages) of not following ethical guidelines in using assistive technologies in health and social care practice
• Recommend ways compliance to ethics in the use of assistive technologies can be promoted
2.3 Explain the impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health and social care services, organisations and care workers

• Describe emerging assistive technologies used to support users of health and social care

• Explain the benefits/effect of emerging assistive technologies to:
1. Health and social care users (e.g. elderly, disabled) and their carers (family and friends)
2. Care workers
3. Organisations (hospitals, care homes, schools)
2.1 Explain health and safety considerations in the use of technologies in health and social care.
2.2 Discuss ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies
2.3 Explain the impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health and social care services, organisations and care workers
(Opportunities to meet M1, M2, M3, D2) Word count: 1000

Sally 42: Tingling and numbness in left foot.

18 months later, double vision
Neurologist identified that he had multiple sclerosis and placed under disease modulating education and education on lifestyle change (avoid fatigue to prevent double vision)

GP Referred to a vision specialist to manage double vision (DV affects her job as account executive)

GP assistive technology specialist for info and education on devices for assistance for further impairments
Vision specialist recommends to stay in touch with assistive technology specialist
2 Years later, complains of weakness and numbness in right side (upper and lower body)

Cannot drive: Canot work: difficulty in typing and walking around at work

GP: Referred to occupational therapist for ankle-foot orthosis (AFO): rightfoot, cane for mobility; keyboard with large surface and bright colours;
Personal care activity; Dressing stick, aids in basic activities;
Adapt her vehicle with a knob spinner and left foot accelerator for driving;
Social worker for support and counselling for financial and work and personal life decisions
Changes in memory function of Sally and Psychologist has gone through various tests to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Sally and Sally is given a hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA), PocketCoach to help in memory skills. Device helps to do analysis and recommend best course of action.

SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSIGNMENT GUIDE

Using case study 2:
3.1 Identify Maggie’s specific needs and

• Explain/define specific needs

• Briefly explain the needs of people with dementia
• Explain Maggie’s specific needs (Case study 2)
3.2 Recommend assistive devices to support Maggie to continue living independently
3.3 Evaluate the usefulness of technology for users of health and social care services
• Briefly explain the benefits of assistive technology to health and social care organisations (hospitals, care homes, supported housing) and clients (elderly, disabled)

• Give example (2 or more) of assistive technology explaining the positives and negatives

• Explain how certain types of assistive technology will be useful to Maggie, also explain the type of AT that may not be useful to Maggie due to Dementia

• Considering Maggie’s health problem (Dementia), explain how technology may not promote her independence as her illness advances (deteriorates)

• Summarise and conclude your report
Maggie is a 62 year old lady who has early onset dementia. She recently lost her husband. She is an extremely active lady who goes out on a number of occasions each day. She is disorientated to the day and time. Her family has significant concerns that Maggie is leaving her home at night and reports from her neighbour confirm this. A fortnight ago her daughter, Lisa paid her a visit and she found water flowing out of her door. When she pressed the door bell there was no answer because Maggie was not home. On occasions homecare arrive early in the morning and Maggie is already out which means she can miss taking her medication and is skipping meals. A risk assessment highlighted an unknown prevalence of Maggie leaving her home.

Further useful readings:

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=109
http://www.overstock.com/Bedding-Bath/Dream-Man-Arm-Pillow/5894513/product.html
http://www.alzheimer.ie/Services-Support/Resources/Technology-and-you.aspx
http://www.alz.org/library/downloads/search_assistivetechnology.pdf

Based on Case Study 2 and the web-links provided, please address Task 3 below

Identify Maggie’s specific needs for support to live independently
Recommend appropriate assistive devices in order to support Maggie to continue living independently
Evaluate the usefulness of technology for users of health and social care services
(Opportunities to meet M2, M3, D1, D2, D3)

Word limit: 750 words

The written work MUST be submitted on 20-12-2014. unless a change in dates has been communicated to all students by the college.
The MERIT and DISTINCTION grade descriptors and their indicative characteristics need to be viewed as a qualitative extension of the assessment criteria for PASS. Please see below how certain assessment criteria for PASS have been linked to certain grade descriptors for MERIT and DISTINCTION