Introduction
The use of modern technology in various aspects of human life has become a necessity in the contemporary world. People invest in modern technological devices like mobile phones and computers to make their lives easier and better. Human health is important because it cannot be replaced (Seok and DaCosta, 2014). Patients of health and social care services living independently enjoy the benefits of assistive technology, although there are various barriers that compromise the effectiveness of this approach to make life better.
Definition and Background
Assistive technology refers to the use of machines, gadgets and approaches to improve the lives of people. Most people who rely on assistive technology have physical or mental challenges that interfere with the normal functioning of their bodies (Malanowski, 2009). The case of Sally is a reflection of how people suffering from various health and social challenges have made their lives easier by using assistive technology. She is lucky to have a general practitioner who is willing and ready to help her manage the challenges she experiences.
Barriers to Assistive Technology
Sally has lives alone despite her age and the health challenges she experiences. She uses modern technology to make her life better and avoid depending on other people for assistance. It is right to argue that she does not enjoy life as a normal person because of the challenges associated with assistive technology. The following issues may affect the effectiveness and reliability of assistive technology in improving the life of Sally and other people who have similar health and social challenges.
The costs of buying machines and getting quality health care and specialists’ services are high (Warren, 2011). Sally is rich, and that is why she affords an eye patch, walking cane, dressing stick and other assistive technological devices. She could not have afforded to pay the training and treatment fee charged by specialists if she were not rich. However, not all patients can afford to pay for these services. Sally may not have afforded the most expensive devices, but managed to get cheaper ones. This means that they may be of an inferior quality and compromise her health.
Sally was lucky to be assisted by a general practitioner who referred her to experienced specialists. Assistive technology is a new concept in most regions, especially in developing nations (Warren, 2011). There are few specialists that offer training on how to use assistive technology. The process of booking appointments and waiting for these devices to be supplied for collection by patients discourages them from seeking specialised services (Seok and DaCosta, 2014). Sally was lucky because she was assisted by a general practitioner who referred her to specialists and made sure she got good services. Most people who require assistive technology may not be aware of its existence. Therefore, they continue to suffer because of ignorance.
It is not easy to service and repair these devices and ensure they offer good services to users. Most of these devices require proper care in terms of cleaning and storing them. Sally does not have a helper, and this means that she may misplace these devices or break them. Devices kept in unhygienic conditions may not serve their users properly. In fact, there are chances that they may cause infections because of germs (Malanowski, 2009). The possibilities of technical breakdown are high, and it is not possible to predict the lifespan of these devices. There are few specialists who can repair them, and this means that Sally may have to wait for a long time before she continues to use them if they break down.
Conclusion
Assistive technology is indispensable because it helps people suffering from various illnesses to live normal lives without depending on the assistance of others. However, the devices used are expensive and most patients cannot afford them. There are few specialists who can assist and train patients to use them, and this means that most victims may not get assistance on time. Technical breakdowns and maintenance of these devices are common barriers that hinder the effective use of assistive technology.
References
Malanowski, N 2009, Information and Communication Technologies for Active Ageing: Opportunities and Challenges for the European Union. Assistive Technology Research Series, IOS Press, Amsterdam.
Seok, S and DaCosta, B 2014, Assistive Technology Research, Practice, and Theory, IGI Global, Philadelphia.
Warren, A 2011, Assistive Technology in Traumatic Brain Injury Vocational Rehabilitation, CRC Press, Florida.