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OUR THOUGHTS ABOUT ADA'S NEEDS
Although Ada has stated that she doesn't feel she needs to use any 'technology' in her home, it is apparent that she actually makes use of a number of such items already.
Therefore, it would seem that the main issue in this case scenario is Ada's associa<ons of Assisitve technology with:
• Being labelled as old or infirm • Reduced independence
Ada's issues with Assistive Technology
For Ada to accept assis<ve technology into her home environment, the following strategies may be considered:
Integra(on -‐ Find appropriate technology that is not necessarily associated with disability or infirmity; Camouflage -‐ Is it possible to disguise the technology, so that the appearance does not s<gma<se the user? Emphasis -‐ Rather than focusing on reducing the risk of falls, technology should be offered as a means of maximising Ada's independence.
ICE: strategies to encourage acceptance of AT
USING MAINSTREAM TECHNOLOGY AS A FOUNDATION FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
INTEGRATION
We know that Ada has already accepted a large amount of modern technology into her home. Therefore, if we can find technology that could be used to manage her risk of further falls, whilst being useful to her in other ways, she is much more likely to accept its use. From Ada's perspec<ve, her isola<on from others is likely to be more important than dealing with falls or other emergencies. Maybe we can reduce her health risks by introducing a home computer system, with access to the internet?
Integration
In 2009, 64% of adults aged 65 or more reported that they had never used the internet (Office for Na<onal Sta<s<cs 2009:10). The most common reasons given for not using the internet include:
• Perceived lack of need • Perceived lack of understanding of the technology
(Ofcom, 2009)
However in 2013, this had reduced to just 30% for 65-‐74 year olds. Non usage of the internet was s<ll high for those aged 75+ (Office for Na<onal Sta<s<cs 2009:10).
Problems with introducing a computer
Ada may find the following helpful in beginning to use the internet:
• So_ware to simplify access and browsing: • Eldy • BigScreenLive • Internet Bubons • SimplyUnite Gem • Alex
• Enable browsing without the need for a mouse or keyboard: • PAL Browser • Touch screen computers & Mul<-‐touch devices (e.g. Microso_ Surface; Fuss Free Phones) • Voice recogni<on so_ware (e.g. Apple computers)
AT for internet use
Some poten(al benefits of introducing the internet to Ada could be:
• Access to medical services online • Hands the ini<a<ve back to Ada • Opportunity to incorporate remote monitoring services • May be more acceptable to Ada than a pendant alarm • Increased ease of contact with family members • Reduces their level of worry
Benefits of Internet use for Ada
Accessing medical services online
Click here for a case study for My Health Online
My Health Online is a service which will soon be available to all pa<ents in Wales, to:
• Access their health records online. • Book GP appointments via the internet. • Order prescrip<ons from home or work. • Maintain a health diary that can be shared with their GP. • Give poten<al for more in-‐depth telemedicine.
NHS Direct is a digital health and advice service which allows users to:
• Check their own symptoms and be signposted to best treatment. • Request call backs from a healthy professional. • Choose and Book Appointments Line (for pa<ents newly referred to hospital consultant out-‐pa<ents clinics).
Accessing medical services online
If Ada is unwilling to accept a community alarm sytem, she may s<ll be ready to engage with a service which establishes contact with her on a daily basis. Perhaps the simplest of these is Alertacall and OK Each Day (opposite) -‐ but similar services could also be established informally with mainstream internet systems.
'Low-key' monitoring services
An unobtrusive method of assessing if Ada’s home is warm enough could be to use a monitoring system such as the Envirotxt plug in, which monitors high & low temperatures and powercuts, and sends a text to family/friends if there are any issues. Another AT that could be used is the AroundMe service, which is being piloted in conjunc<on with HDTI, Coventry University. It incorporates both temperature alerts and ac<vity sensors, which send text updates to a specific members of a ‘neighbourhood’.
Keeping warm
Hiding Assistive Technology from public view CAMOUFLAGE
One of the main problems with the solu<ons discussed previously is that they cannot detect a fall, etc, as it happens.
• Therefore, these may not sa<sfy the requirements of Ada's family. • However, Ada is unlikely to accept something that has a 'clinical' appearance.
Possible future op<ons:
• Disguising a standard pendant alarm as an item of jewellery: • This was suggested by par<cipants in a recent study by Coventry University. • Speedy – a fall detector integrated into a watch is in development. • Necklace – not a fall detector but poten<ally the same technology.
• Using an alterna<ve method of detec<ng falls, such as: • Smart Carpet • iShoes
Detecting falls
On Increasing Independence EMPHASIS
Even though Ada finds the idea of a fall detector as making her feel ‘old’ or ‘infirm’, for many they can actually help to increase the feeling of independence (see a video of users here).
Encouraging Ada to see other people like herself using Assis<ve Technology to their benefit may also help, specifically, other users with similar demographics who champion the use of ATs (see an example here).
A recent project (COMODAL) at HDTI, Coventry University has looked into how to improve the consumer market for electronic Assis<ve Technologies for older people, specifically in increasing the desirability of investment in development.
AT to Increase Independence
