Assistive Technology

What Is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology or AT defines any device or a piece of equipment or product or system which is used to improve or increase the functional capabilities of a human with disability. It is required for those adults, children, or old people with disabilities.

It helps people to live healthy, independent, and dignified lives. It also enables people to participate in education, job, and civic life. It decreases the requirement of support service and formal health. People need this technology, without it they may feel alone, excluded, isolated, and confined as a result, it may increase the impact of disease and disability in people.

Who Can Benefit from Assistive Technology?

Some people need assistive technologies such as-

•  Older people
• People with disabilities
• People who have non-communicable diseases that include diabetes and stroke
• People with mental illness such as dementia and autism
• People with gradual functional decline

Facts about Assistive Technology

• Assistive technology service covers the delivery of assistive products and services.
• It is created to maintain or improve people’s functioning and to enhance overall well-being.
• Examples of assistive technologies are hearing aids, wheelchairs, spectacles, prostheses, pill organizers, communication aids, and memory aids.
• More than 1 billion people require at least 1 or more assistive devices.
• Due to aging and increasing non-communicable diseases, nearly 2 billion people require at least 1 or more assistive devices.

Important Facts

• It covers the delivery of assistive products and services.
• It is created to maintain or improve people’s functioning and to enhance overall well-being.
• Examples of assistive technologies are hearing aids, wheelchairs, spectacles, prostheses, pill organizers, communication aids, and memory aids.
• More than 1 billion people require at least 1 or more assistive devices.
• Due to the aging and increasing non-communicable diseases, nearly 2 billion people require at least 1 or more assistive devices.

Importance of Assistive Technology

It allows children with disabilities to compensate for some impairments. It also promotes freedom and reduces the need for other support like there is no need to depend on your families. 

Benefits of Assistive Technology

It provides a positive result on the health and well-being of an individual and his family and also gives socioeconomic benefits.

It offers autonomy, independence for the person as well as those around them

It improves memory and recall.

It avoids early entry into hospitals and care homes.

It facilitates independence, so you can focus on your career and also can take care of your loved ones.

Using hearing aids helps people to improve their language skills. Without the device, it is difficult to participate in education and employment.

Manual wheelchairs give access to employment and education.

It aids older people to continue to stay at home and can delay the requirement of  long-term care home.

Therapeutic footwear for diabetes decreases incidence like foot ulcers, protects lower limb amputations, and also reduces the associated burden on health systems.

It helps to lead a better life without depending on others. We hope you have learned the importance and benefits of assistive technologies in the healthcare industry.