{"id":2318,"date":"2022-04-21T12:24:22","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T11:24:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agefriendlyhomes.ie\/?post_type=blog&p=2318"},"modified":"2022-07-19T10:36:38","modified_gmt":"2022-07-19T09:36:38","slug":"what-is-assistive-technology-a-simple-guide","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/agefriendlyhomes.ie\/ga\/blog\/what-is-assistive-technology-a-simple-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"#1 – What is Assistive Technology? A Simple Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Disclaimer on Blogs<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Louise Edmonds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hello<\/strong> and welcome! My name is Louise Edmonds, Regional Age Friendly Programme Manager, Age Friendly Ireland, and through this blog I will bring you some of the latest information on assistive technology, up and coming devices plus gadgets that can support people to live independently.  Over the coming months we will have an opportunity to discuss the many types of technology supports available. It\u2019s a complex area ranging from panic buttons, video door entry, smart systems, telehealth, security devices and much more so I hope to bring you information that will outline the functions of various elements of technology and what it has the capacity to do. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

This will be beneficial whether you are a developer planning a new build, an individual older person exploring what is available, a designer, a policy maker or otherwise \u2013 whatever your interest is I hope this information will be simple to understand and help you achieve what you need. For the purposes of this first blog, I am going to give a simple overview of TeleCare and Telehealth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Telehealth?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you do a quick google search for telehealth you will get a range of explanations and oftentimes this leads to more confusion! Given many terms including telemedicine, remote monitoring, wearable devices and others, the definition of telehealth, at a starting point, is a service that allows a person to communicate their medical information with their clinical care provider plus assists with the management of chronic diseases remotely<\/strong>.  With telehealth a person can use a device at home with simple Bluetooth peripherals, such as a blood pressure monitor, weighing scales, blood glucose monitor and others, to take their vital sign readings on a daily basis.  This is then transmitted through a central tabletop hub\/device (eg. a tablet or smartphone) to the care provider who can remotely access the patient\u2019s data and track their health status.  Many studies internationally have presented tangible positive outcomes including the person\u2019s ability to manage and track their condition, link more effectively with their clinician, reduce missed hospital appointments, reduce the number of critical incidents and much more.  From a housing perspective having the capacity within a home (good broadband for example) will enable our population to avail of service such as these.  The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly increased the need for remote monitoring due to the reduction of face-to-face hospital visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Telecare?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Tunstall Connect App<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Telecare is a service that provides the continuous, automatic, and remote monitoring of real time emergencies and lifestyle changes over time in order to manage the risks associated with independent living.  Devices range from those where the user presses a button that raises an immediate alert at the 24-hour monitored control centre.  Systems that monitor the person\u2019s well-being and\/or environment which trigger (without conscious involvement) a warning that the person\u2019s well-being has deteriorated, or that a critical event has occurred. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Telecare is essentially the ability to summon a response through the use of technology<\/strong>. It provides a 24-hour connection between a person in their home and a call advisor at a 24-hour monitoring centre.  In simple terms basic telecare systems consist of two parts; an emergency panic button<\/a> which can be worn as a wristband or pendant, and a two-way speech unit<\/a> usually located in the home.  In an emergency situation the alarm button on the wristband or pendant can be pressed for help. It then immediately connects (through the two-way speech facility) to the monitoring centre.  The call advisor can then assess the situation and call the necessary help.  In addition to a basic personal button telecare can include a range of additional devices that can actively or passively raise an alert and these include fall detectors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide monitors, security devices, bogus caller detectors, wandering alert (for people with dementia) and many others.  All of these connect with the monitoring centre and can address any risks that are presented in the home including falls isolation and loneliness, safety and security, physical disabilities and many others.  TeleCare is a service for people of all ages.  In the context of housing the devices are generally wireless and are therefore easy to install, in and around your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tunstall Minuet Watch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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“Just Checking” Activity Monitoring System<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why do people need telecare or telehealth?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The benefits of Telehealth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For many patients the benefits of home telehealth monitoring are clear and simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n