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A review of assistive technology and its impact
- Authors:
- BYE Gary, GIBSON Mark
- Publisher:
- Life Path Trust
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 13p.
- Place of publication:
- Coventry
This report, by the charitable company Life Plan Trust, reviews the assistive technology they have installed into the homes of people with learning disabilities in Coventry since 2007. The assistive technology comprised a control panel connected to a mains supply and telephone landline along with wireless sensors which when activated signalled the control panel which dialled a pre-programmed number, a call centre or a carer. The charity supported service users for a few hours a week or more, but some needed support staff 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Examples of sensors are personal alarm triggers, bogus caller alarms, bed occupancy mats, epilepsy mats and flood detectors, all fitted with failsafe systems and excepting the personal alarm were passive and required no input from the users. Life Path Trust staff responded by talking through the control panel to clients and were with them within 30 minutes or the emergency services were contacted if necessary. A number of case studies illustrate how this technology promoted independence without intrusion and resulted in assistance and reassurance for the user, their family and friends when needed. Detailed analysis of the financial benefits is appended and considered in the context of taking control of personalised budgets.