Communication Technologies For Health And Social Care Information Technology Essay

Communication Technologies For Health And Social Care Information Technology Essay 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: A short sighted student puts on glasses so he/she can read, thus, the glasses are an assistive technology. 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. 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. Scenario: You have been recruited to work in a care home for 3 months. The care home has a limited access and availability of todays assistive technologies. The manager introduces you to staff and residents as an experienced and valuable member of staff who has a good background in todays 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. In relations to the above scenario write a detailed assignment covering the following points: 1 Investigate the use of and access to appropriate assistive and communication technologies for health and social care by: Describing a range of technologies and devices available for use within health and social care. 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 any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. 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) 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 personnels are considered as priorities in all cases which then lead to the term called Accommodation in the use of AT devices. WHAT THEN IS ACCOMODATION? 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. Describing a range of communications technologies available to services and service users. Analysing barriers to the use of assistive technologies in health and social care Poor short term memory in elderly ones Lower motivation and learning level present at elderly age Explaining benefits of technologies to organisations and individuals. 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, Benefits of AT to individuals 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; Benefits of AT to an individual This can be categorized into different sections as illustrated below; Activities of daily life Inner relations Outer relations   The category applicable to individuals is the inner relations which encompasses of; Helping individuals to have a good self-esteem Building up their confidence by the use of the devices By also ensuring that they are safe from harm and risks By relieving them of some or all of their initial pains By eliminating discomfort in their lives Below are list of devices and products of different assistive technology been used. Ambulation Architectural Access Child Care Communication Computer Hardware Computer Software Ergonomics Farm Management Adaptations Health/Medical Equipment Hearing Technology Home Management Mobility Orthotics Personal Care Prosthethetics Recreation Seating Switches Therapeutic Aids Transportation Vision Technology Vocational/Educational Working Animals Ambulation canes cane accessories crutches crutch accessories walkers walker accessories Architectural Access bath tubs bathroom remodel bathroom sinks cabinets ceiling track lift chair stair lift doors/auto open drinking fountain elevators house plans kitchen remodel kitchen sinks/appliances lighting pool lifts ramps safety/security showers toilets wheelchair lifts Child Care cribs/playpens high chairs mattresses/bedding monitors strollers walkers Communication augmentative communication devices (electronic) book holders communication boards electric page turners head wands light pointers manual page turners mouth sticks personal voice amplification reading machines signal systems telephone access television adaptations typewriters typing aids writing aids Computer Hardware Braille printers computer supplies computer work stations cursor control expanded keyboards interface adaptation keyboards key guards mini keyboards other keyboards printers special computer systems tactile printers visual accessories/modifications voice recognition systems voice synthesizers Computer Software assessment/evaluation/training communication educational large print recreation/games special access switch operated talking tools/word processing/database voice recognition Ergonomics arm/wrist supports back supports CRT access ergo joystick industrial workstations office workstations seat/chair tools Hearing Technology alert/signal systems audio loop systems FM amplification systems Hearing aids infrared amplification systems personal amplification systems TDDs/TTYs telephone adaptations TV amplifiers TV decoders Home Management beds/mattresses food preparation housekeeping lift chairs/lift cushions other furniture protective bed/padding shopping aids special pillows Health/Medical Equipment blood pressure/pulse diabetic equipment dispenser aids other medical equipment pressure monitors scales signal systems stethoscopes thermometers Mobility adult bikes/trikes adult light weight adult travel chairs car seats/bed child light weight hand operated trikes manual stretchers manual wheelchair patient chairs portable ramps power stretchers powered standing wheelchair powered wheelchair recliner sports/racing standing wheelchair strollers three-wheeled mobility devices travel chairs Orthotics braces foot orthotics helmets restraints splints supports Personal Care bathing accessories carrying dishes/utensils drinking feeding accessories feeding devices grab bars/grips/handles grooming hygiene incontinent supplies mechanical transfer lift reaching shower/bath chair smoking stationary commode toileting accessories transfer board wheeled bath chair/commode Seating bolster chairs corner chairs decubitis cushion other cushions other therapeutic seats postural support hardware postural support systems pressure monitors wheelchair cushion Switches mounting hardware other switches wheelchair controls Therapeutic Aids ambulation training balance training crawling/scooting elevated mat tables exercise equipment fine motor gross motor hydrotherapy mats pain relief Para podiums perceptual motor positioning prone standers rolls/inclines sensory integration sexual aids side lying boards stand tables strengthening supine standers treatment tables upright frames Transportation assistive accessories driving controls motorcycles/conversions ramps seat belts vehicle access vehicle conversions vehicles wheelchair lifts wheelchair loaders/carriers wheelchair restraint systems Vision Technology braille clocks/watches labeling large button phone large print books magnification systems magnifiers sensors/safety/security speaker phone taped/audio books calculators other devices talking equipment Vocational/Educational adjustable tables classroom equipment education/instruction literature/books office equipment tools vocational assessment/training work station/desks (Word Count: 1250 Words) 2 Analyze how technology can be applied to support independent living by: 2.1 Analyzing how the use of assistive technologies may support independent living. 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: Physical (body) -Basics (food warmth, shelter), Protection, Medication Intellectual (Mind) Education, Stimulation Emotional (feelings) Support, love, respect Social (people) friends, mixing with others, seeing friends family, translators, Cultural-Ethnicity, religion, festivals, dress, language, diet, prayer times, community magazine 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 ATs have being developed which supports them in the following ways; Different ways in which AT supports individuals Moving about in the home Knowing what clothes to put on Lifting up and holding a child Getting up in the morning Opening and shutting windows Understanding and being understood Dressing and undressing Managing incontinence Moving about for shopping and banking Making food to eat Managing medication Driving Playing various games Access to educational material and school Access to media Access to computers and regular software Weeding of garden, etc. 2.2 Evaluating the use of assistive technology for one specific health and social care service user. Making recommendations of how assistive technologies might enhance services for individuals with specific health and social care need 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; Characteristics of the individuals user Characteristics of the AT in use The service delivery process The integration of provision services into rehabilitation strategy (Word Count: 1000 Words) 3 Evaluate implications of developments in assistive technologies which have potential for application in health and social care by: Describing health and safety considerations in the use of assistive technologies. Analyzing ethical considerations in the use of assistive technologies. Describing the impact of recent and emerging technological developments on health and social care services, organizations and workers. Suggest how assistive technologies might influence the role or workers in health and social care in the future. (Word Count: 1000 Words)