What is assistive technology and what are its benefits?

Assistive technology is a broad term covering the systems and services related to the delivery of assistive products and services. Assistive technology products maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence, thereby promoting their well-being, which in turn reduces the need for more formal health and care services.

Without assistive technology, people are often excluded, isolated, and locked into poverty, thereby increasing the impact of disease and disability on a person, their family, and society as a whole.  

Who can benefit from assistive technology?

People who most need assistive technology include:

• People with learning disabilities
• People with physical disabilities
• Older people
• People with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and stroke
• People with mental health conditions including dementia and autism
• People with gradual functional decline

What are the health, wellbeing, and social benefits of assistive technology?

Assistive technology can have a positive impact on the health and well-being of a person and their family. Examples include:

• Assistive technology can monitor the safety of a vulnerable person in their own home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – providing peace of mind both for themselves and their family. This can be particularly beneficial when having professional carers on hand day and night is not desirable or affordable
• Assistive technology can enable older people to continue to live at home and delay or prevent the need for long-term care
• Increased choice, safety, independence, and sense of control for service users
• Improved quality of life
• Personal alarms and telecare can help to ensure a quicker response if there is a serious problem. For incidents such as a fall or a medical emergency like a stroke, a quicker response can help to lessen the long-term adverse effects of the incident
• The reduced burden placed on carers
• Improved support for people with long-term health conditions
• Reduced accidents and falls in the home

Why is there now such a need for assistive technology products?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 billion people across the world need at least one assistive product.

With an aging global population and a rise in non-communicable diseases, it is predicted that more than 2 billion people will need at least one assistive product by 2030, with many older people needing two or more.

How is Progress Lifeline using assistive technology?

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 which promote independent yet supported living to those who need it.

We are aware that individual needs vary from person to person. We can tailor packages based on individual needs.

Progress Lifeline is an award-winning personal alarm and telecare services provider making a positive difference to the lives of over 65,000 customers for over 30 years.