What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology is “any product or service designed to enable independence for disabled and older people”, or:
“any device or system that allows individuals to perform tasks that they would otherwise be unable to do, or increases the ease and safety with which tasks can be performed.”
Assistive technology can cover a very wide range of equipment, from very simple low-tech items such as calendar clocks to more high-tech items, such as sensors that can detect accidents or emergencies in the home, which can be monitored by a community alarm service, known as Telecare.
Who is assistive technology for?
Assistive technology devices are a benefit to anybody who needs a little extra help to continue to live independently in their own homes, and can provide help with the following aspects of independent living:
Safety in the home
These devices can help improve safety in the home. They include gas, smoke, extreme temperature and flood detectors, as well as simple lighting solutions and sophisticated systems which can control lots of different functions within the home from a single remote control unit.
Health and personal safety
These devices can monitor a person rather than an aspect of the home environment, as above. They can monitor a person for a specific health condition such as epilepsy, can raise an alarm should a person fall, and outside of the home can be used to find a person should they go missing. They can also be used to enable a person to request help should they become disorientated when away from their home.
Communication
These devices can help to support communication. They include easy to use telephones and mobile phones, and simple solutions for people to call for help from another person within their home.
Prompts and reminders
These devices can help act as prompts and reminders by providing visual and audible cues. They include clock calendars, medication reminders and memo minders.
How do I find out more about assistive technology?
Further information on assistive technology is available via the Gadget Gateway website and the other links on this page. Alternatively, you can phone our First Point of Contact team on 0345 678 9044 for advice.