What is assistive technology?

Assistive technology or telecare, also referred to as technology-enabled care (TEC), is a term that describes a wide range of devices, appliances and systems used to help those of us with care and support needs. It's best defined as: 

‘The use of technology to provide health and care services to people in their own homes, or near to home, helping people to live independently and safely’  

In this section, the deliberate use of the terms 'us' and 'we' recognises that we all may require help at some point in our lives, but this technology can also be of help to those of us who have a caring role. 

Although in most cases when we say 'technology' we mean electronic devices, it can also mean simpler, non-electronic items. The word in this context simply means the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

The benefits

Assistive technology can be of benefit to a range of people, from those with exceptionally low needs through to people with complex physical and/or mental health needs.  

It's commonly used to help those living with: 

  • Dementia

  • Mobility problems

  • A risk of falls or wandering 

  • A physical or learning disability.

It can help to keep you safe, well and independent, and offer you and your family peace of mind. It can help you to control of your own health, wellbeing, and support, enabling you to feel more confident and remain living independently at home for longer.  

It can help to:  

  • Reduce the risk to yourself whilst at home or active in the local community  

  • Support and reassure family members, friends, and carers  

  • Reduce the need for a formal care package or the type of care required  

  • Delay or prevent the need for you to go into residential care  

  • Prevent the need for hospital admissions or help you get discharged sooner 

  • Increase independence and confidence 

Who is it for?

Assistive technology is designed to be very easy and intuitive to use - after all it is supposed to make our lives easier!  

It can be 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

Incorporating devices into the home can create safer living environments, particularly for those who may be at higher risk help improve safety in the home. Examples include detectors for:

  • Gas

  • Smoke

  • Extreme temperature

  • Floods

Examples could also include simple lighting solutions and sophisticated systems which can control lots of different functions within the home from a single remote-control unit, hand gestures or even your voice. 

Health and personal safety

Assistive technology can be used to raise an alert should you fall, have a seizure, or become confused and disoriented in or away from home. These devices allow for support to be arranged more quickly, and provide increased peace of mind. Many devices can automatically detect certain activities and raise alerts even when the wearer is unable to.  

Communication

Being able to keep in touch with family and friends is important, but sometimes conventional equipment can be difficult for some of us to use. Thankfully there's a range of equipment that can help us, including easy-to-use telephones and mobile phones, and simple solutions for people to call for help from another person within their home. Assistive technology devices can also facilitate communication between health and care providers, enabling easier and more efficient interaction and improved overall care delivery.  

Prompts and reminders

We all get forgetful from time to time but for some of us remembering important daily living tasks, like when to take medication, can be a challenge. The good news is that there’s a range of devices specifically designed to help, including clock calendars, medication reminders and audible reminders. These work by giving you visual or audible prompts and reminders for those important things we need to remember. 

Care givers

Assistive technology can also offer support for care givers by providing tools for efficient care coordination, prompting management and access to relevant information. Remote monitoring allows care givers to keep track of the wellbeing of individuals, even from a distance, contributing to more personalised and effective care support.