What is assistive technology?
Assistive technologies are products or services that enable individual functioning and social participation. [1] Assistive technology can include many different products, including non-digital (e.g., walking frames/sticks, medication packs), or digital (e.g., fall-monitoring technology, mobile apps, GPS phones/watches).
How are assistive technologies used in aged care?
Assistive technologies used in aged care may include smart technology, such as sensors and monitoring systems, mobile devices and apps, mobility aids (such as wheelchairs or lifters), or home modifications such as rails. [2] Assistive technology can be used both by people living at home and those living in residential aged care.
How can assistive technologies benefit the aged care sector?
Potential benefits of using assistive technologies for older adults and their care team may include:
- Increased confidence, autonomy, social participation, and quality of life
- Improved communication
- Decreased anxiety and injury
- Decreased impact of supporting a loved one for carers and their families
- Allowing older adults to live in their own home for longer. [1]
Examples of assistive technology in aged care
Some assistive technologies used in Australia include:
- Accent 1400: A communication-speech generating device that can be used to support older adults communicate using the mouse, head tracking and/or eye gaze.
- Telstra visual signal alert: A device that provides a visual signal allowing a hearing-impaired user to see that the telephone is ringing.
- Talking watch: A battery operated talking watch with large numbers/characters that may be suitable for individuals with a vision impairment. The watch’s voice output reports the time and can be activated by pressing a button.