As defined by J. Boger et al. (2014), ‘Assistive technologies consist of a wide range of products intended to support daily occupations by enabling the technologies user to perform tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible’. To categorise different assistive technology devices, there are various broad categories which they fit into. These include communication, computer use, mobility, environmental controls, and safety. For people with dementia however these categories may be subdivided. Examples of these categories broken down include: Assistive technology products for personal care, communication and information, housekeeping and personal mobility (K. Cullen et al. 2012). By using products from these categories such as calendars, …show more content…
According to Gibson et al. (2015), there are three types of products which a person can utilise. ‘Formal Assistive technology’ is regarded to be the most expensive type of technology to acquire. You can usually only get these devices through the health and social systems of care and generally require an extensive assessment of the needs of the person with dementia. Although costly, these devices such as alarm systems or monitoring technologies are very effective for maintaining the person’s safety. ‘Off the shelf technologies’ refer to any products purchased privately by the families. In most cases these products such as picture phonebooks or reminiscence diaries have been extensively researched by members of the family and therefore are more likely to be used frequently by the person with dementia. The simplest of devices are known as ‘Do it yourself’ products which are self -explanatory. These cheap products are made or bought by carers and family members to make life easier for the person with dementia or to ensure their safety. Whiteboards or sticky notes with reminders to take tablets can be very effective as the person is constantly reading these notes dotted around their homes. Nevertheless, most assistive technologies are used for the safety of the person with dementia. One system specified by Bowes, Dawson, and Bell (2012) includes telecare, which monitors the person’s movement …show more content…
Scherer and Glueckauf (2005) found that even though the quality and quantity of assistive technology products has increased vastly, approximately 30% of devices in the homes of those with dementia are discarded every year. This is due to the users not knowing how to use the devices because of poor explanation or demonstrations as well as the gadgets not being suitable for the person. Assessing a person and how severe their dementia has progressed is imperative for understanding what types of assistive technology are suitable for them. In one case, a couple weren’t neglecting their devices but instead were altering the way which they used them. The female spoke about how she wouldn’t wear her alarm pendent in the house when her husband was there as she knew she would have help if something happened. However, she said she would never leave the house without her pendent or if she was on her own. This approach seemed to work for those who had a partner or family member living at home with them but for those who did not there was a more negative feeling towards having assistive technology in their homes. In some cases, alarms would be accidently activated by the person with dementia causing them to get a fright. As they could not remember what it was for, some would avoid entering the room where the alarm went off
In this paper I will discuss two different case studies. The first case study involves a 35-month old girl named Kim who struggles with meal time, potty training, and play time with others. I will discuss four assistive technology devices, that would work for Kim. These devices will assist Kim with balance, mobility and undressing. The second case study involves a school age child name Billy, who struggles with benchmark objectives. Billy is in the fourth grade and use Assistive technology devices reading and math. I will discuss different AT devices that can be used to assist Billy with reading and math.
Dementia is common among a large population of elderly people. The disease affects not only the individual diagnosed, but also the caregivers that work towards making their life comfortable in the end. Understanding and learning about the disease is crucial in helping those that experience or live with someone who has dementia. The services and support that are currently in affect for elderly people with dementia and the caregivers is poor, and ineffective because of the lack of research and information on the topic.
Dementia is a disease which causes mental debility and affects one’s way of intelligent, attentiveness, recollection and problem-solving (NHS, 2013). As a result of dysfunction of brain cells in some parts of the brain it affects the thinking process then dementia occurs and it usually comes with age (Ibid). It is estimated that 560 000 people suffer from dementia in England and as a result the NHS and Social Care spend about 3.3billion (National Audit Offices)
...ional Therapy. Just Checking Telecare 1 Year Pilot Report: ‘Giving People with Dementia a Voice.’ Leeds: Just Checking.
“The purpose of the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI) is to provide a comprehensive and thorough assistive technology assessment process” (Barbara, n.d., para. 14). WATI consists of an Assistive Technology Consideration Guide that is made like a table. Horizontally the table entails tasks that the student might be expected to complete in the classroom. Vertically the table asks if the student completes the tasks with special accommodations or AT devices. It also asks what new assistive technology the student will try (Marino, 2006). The ultimate goal of the WATI is to consider different types of AT, and to ensure that the student receives the best services and accommodations. Which will allow the student to learn the curriculum to his/ her full potential and meet the IEP and IFSP objectives (Barbara,
care to the residents suffering from dementia. Banner et al (2009 as cited in Lee J.et al.2012)
Telehealth is the monitoring via remote exchange of physiological data between a patient at home and health care professionals at hospitals or clinics to assist with diagnosis and treatment. As our society ages and health care costs increase, government and private insurance payers are seeking technological interventions. Technological solutions may provide high quality healthcare services at a distance, utilize professional resources more effectively, and enable elderly and ill patients to remain in their own homes. Patients may experience decreased hospitalization and urgent care settings, and out of home care may not be required as the patient is monitored at home. However, no study has been able to prove telehealth benefits conclusively. This change in health care delivery presents new ethical concerns, and new relationship boundaries between health care professionals, patients, and family members. This paper will discuss telehealth benefits in specific patient populations, costs benefits of using telehealth, and concerns of using telehealth.
70% of the patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia live at home. Patients who are living at home typically receive help from their family members and friends; they also get community–based services, homemaker services, and adult day care centers. Many people with dementia end up in long-term care facility or a nursing home because they need 24-hour care and hand-on assistance with even the simplest of tasks. These patients struggle with eating, bathing, dressing, and using the restroom, which can be very difficult if the assistant has not had training. It would be very difficult to treat patients with high-grade dementia in the regular
Mollie is the patient in our case study. Mollie lives with her daughter and son in law, both in their 70’s. A home health aide assists Mollie five days a week for three hours each day. At age 94, Mollie is an older adult, considered to be part of a vulnerable population, at risk for hearing, visual and mobility deficits. This at risk population can experience changes in cognitive or physical status making the activities of daily living difficult to perform (Meiner, 2011). As people like Mollie age, gradually becoming less able to function independently, their grown children, potential caregivers, may be preoccupied with the demands of their own lives and not prepared to care for an older
Individuals are living longer due to a shift in the mortality rate of diseases that previously were responsible for a higher incidence of death. An Increase in research and technology in the area of medicine have lowered the mortality rate among older adults, increasing the aging population. As noted by Halaweish and Alam (2015), the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease as a cause of death is steadily on the increase as the number of older adults climbs. This statistic indicates the necessity of healthcare sector preparedness in the capacity of end of life care. Emphasis reflecting trends in healthcare should focus on Alzheimer awareness, home health care and long term care facilities. As individuals begin to live longer and experience an increase in healthcare technology, the prevalence of chronic diseases increases. The inclination of chronic diseases and co-morbidities increases medical expenditures. The growing rate of older adults suffering from chronic diseases may increase the frequency of older adults having a disability. This increase in disability as a result of chronic disease will require emphasis on long term care options for older
. This calls for the need of dementia care to accommodate these patients. The main aim of dementia care is to maintain the personhood in the face of advancing impairment of cognition (Hunter, 2009). This is primarily to help in addressing the plight that people with dementia are facing. Different practitioners or caregivers provide dementia patient care. There are those practitioners who prefer to provide this care at home and those who prefer to provide it in institutions. Each of the cares has its implications on dementia patient.
Several assistive listening devices can improve the communication ability of deaf children. According to IDEA, every child with a disability is entitled to have access to assistive technology (California Department of Education, 2004). The California Department of Education (2004) outlines IDEA’s definition of an assistive technology device. It explains that this device consists of “any item, piece of equipment or product system…that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability” (California Department of Education, 2004, p. 1).
Introduction This assignment critically discusses dementia, a widespread disability among older adults today. It provides an introduction to dementia and analyses its prevalence in society. The various forms of dementia are elaborated with descriptions of dysfunctions and symptoms. Nursing Assessment and Interventions are provided in the further sections which discuss actions nurses should take while evaluating patients and treating them.
... CLD info sheets: assistive technology. Council for Learning Disabilities. Retrieved on April 24, 2005, from http://www.cldinternational.org/c/@CS_yKIo7l8ozY/Pages/assistive.html
But how is this achieved? The range of special needs covers a very wide spectrum. It will be necessary therefore to examine how ICT can support the various needs. Standard equipment is often suitable for children with SEN. the settings of the computer can be changes to make it more computer friendly.