If you are older, have a long-term illness or have a disability, you may benefit from using assistive technology to support you to remain independent at home by supporting or assisting you with daily tasks.
What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology describes a wide range of products or systems that can help people with disabilities, restricted mobility or other impairments to perform daily tasks that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. These devices support individuals to improve or maintain their quality of life by easing or compensating for an injury or disability.
Products can be used in your home and also by the carers who are working to keep the people they care for safe.
Who does it help?
Assistive technology can help anyone who feels at risk in their own home due to age, disability, injury or illness. It is particularly useful for people who are:
- immobile or unsteady on their feet
- returning home from hospital
- living alone with memory problems
- victims of domestic violence
- living with long-term conditions such as dementia, epilepsy, heart disease, learning or physical disability and sensory problems.
What equipment is available
There are many products that can help you in your everyday life. This includes assistive technology that can help with:
- detecting if someone has taken a fall in their home
- reminding people to take their medication and dispensing it at the right time
- alerting carers if a person moves out of their marked safe area
- tracing a person's location using GPS
Choosing one that is right for you
AskSARA is a free and easy to use online service offering advice on a range of devices which may be able to help you with tasks such as cooking, bathing, taking medication and housework.
Where to get it
Assistive technology can be purchased from a range of suppliers, some offering a broad range of products and others specialising in products to meet specific needs.