Live safely & independently with help from Assistive Technology

Posted on: 9/08/2021

Living safely and independently is important for us all, both for our physical and mental wellbeing. However, for some people, extra help and support may be required to do this. This could be:

  • People with learning disabilities
  • People with physical disabilities
  • Older people
  • People with conditions such as diabetes and stroke
  • People with mental health conditions including dementia and autism
  • People at risk of falls

Assistive technology can help to provide that extra support to individuals who fall into these categories, allowing them to remain safe and independent.

If you have a loved one who requires additional support at home, you may be wondering what assistive technology is and how it can help…

 

What is assistive technology?

Assistive technology is equipment, software or products that are designed to help an individual to do particular daily tasks or that remotely monitor how they are doing.

What technology is required depends on the needs of the individual – here are a few examples:

  • Home and safety sensors – these will monitor certain situations in your loved one’s home to make sure they are safe and will also send an alert if a dangerous situation arises. For example
    • Flood detectors, when placed next to sinks or baths, can monitor for water overflowing.
    • Heat detectors can monitor for a dangerous increase in temperature that may point to a fire.
    • A property exit sensor will send an alert when your loved one leaves their home (for example, with dementia, some people may tend to walk about in the middle of the night and can become disorientated)
  • Health and wellbeing sensors – these monitor the health and wellbeing of your loved one and can ensure they are going about their daily tasks as normal. For example:
    • Bed and chair occupancy sensors can send an alert if your loved one has been out of their bed or chair for a long time (this could indicate a fall and that help is needed).
    • Medication dispensers/reminders can dispense the correct medication at the right time and send an alert if your loved one doesn’t take it.
    • Ambient temperature sensors can sense extreme heat or cold that could help to identify if there is a problem with your loved one’s boiler or they have left a door open.

There is also technology that can allow your loved one to directly request help and even trigger an alert if your loved one can’t request help:

  • Personal alarms can be worn around your loved one’s neck or on their wrist with a simple button that they can press to trigger an alert.
  • Fall detectors will automatically detect a fall and trigger an alert for help, but they can also be pressed manually if other help is required. Again, they can be worn as a pendant or as a watch. The technology available to keep your loved one safe isn’t just limited to their home either. If they are able to get out and about, you can also keep them safe with a personal alarm that also tracks their location (via GPS, only if help is needed) and detects falls.

 

What are the benefits of assistive technology?

The biggest benefit is simply that it allows your loved one to live safe and well whilst also retaining their independence. In turn, this also has a positive impact on their physical and mental wellbeing.

It provides them with peace of mind, knowing that they will be able to easily call for help if they do ever need it, and it also provides you with peace of mind for the same reason.

Assistive technology can also help support carers or family members if they can’t always be there.

 

At Progress Lifeline we understand just how important it is for every person to feel valued and respected, regardless of age, gender, or ability. That’s part of the reason that we provide products and services that promote independent yet supported living to those who need it.

We are aware that individual needs vary from person to person and can tailor packages based on your loved one’s individual needs.

If you have any questions about assistive technology and the options available to you and your loved ones, email us at contact@progresslifeline.org.uk or call us on 03333 204 999.