Technologies have been part of adult social care provision across the UK since the 1960s, and are still a key feature, with an estimated 1.8 million people using ‘technology-enabled care services’ (TECS) and devices across the UK (DHSC, 2023).
The World Health Organisation global report on assistive technology defines this as an umbrella term for assistive products and their related systems and services where assistive technology enables and promotes inclusion, participation and engagement of persons with disabilities, ageing populations and people living with chronic conditions in the family, community and all areas of society, including the political, economic and social spheres.
Assistive technologies can be tools, products, systems that help maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and daily living to support their cognition, communication, hearing, mobility, self-care and vision.
Assistive technologies can include:
- Physical products such as: wheelchairs, spectacles, hearing aids, prostheses, walking aids or continence pads.
- Adaptions to physical environment such as: portable ramps or grab rails
- Digital aids such as: software and apps that support communication, time management and monitoring for example: Health apps to monitor diabetes or mental health, telecare and telehealthcare which support people to receive care within their own homes or access services remotely.
Assistive technology is important across the life span providing technology from supporting children with disabilities, access to education, participation in sports and communities and supporting people to get ready for employment and live well into old age.
Access to assistive technology is a human right and a precondition of equal opportunities and participation and during a lifetime, everyone is likely to need assistive technology especially as we grow older and live longer lives.
As technology has become an integral part of care and support, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020, nearly all people receiving care and support will use some form of assistive technology, such as mobile devices to keep in contact with loved ones or using video technology for medical consultations.
Technology Enabled Care – what does this mean?
The Digital Health & Care NI (DHCNI) have embarked on a Technology Enabled Care project to discover the potential of leveraging technology in health and social care delivery. This project has defined technology enabled care as:
- The use of technology (e.g. telecare, telehealth, telemedicine) to help manage health and sustain independence.
- Enabling remote exchange of information between a patient and a healthcare professional to assist in assessing or monitoring health status.
- Enabling a modern model of continuous coordinated care centred on the individual.
Technology Enabled Care is this sense is about supporting the management and delivery of person-centred health and social care using remote technologies.
Northern Ireland has provided resources since the 2000s to health and social care Trusts to develop telecare type projects, with £1.5m available in 2008. In 2011, the Centre for Connected Health and Social Care (CCHSC) “adopted the largest mainstreamed telehealth service procurement in the UK” (Deloitte, 202: 13), awarding an £18m contract to roll out a telehealth and telecare service across all five health and social care Trusts. More recently, a key area of focus for Northern Ireland has been the procurement, development and roll out of an electronic records for health and care, with the £275m encompass Programme launched in 2022 and has being rolled out across the health and social care trusts (See section on encompass to learn more)..
Technology Enabled Care and Social Work Practice
The BASW and SCIE – Digital capabilities for social workers report, 2021 outlines the knowledge, skills and values that social workers should have in order to use digital technology in practice with adults, children and families in England. That report recognises that information and assistive technologies are transforming the way care services are delivered but it acknowledges that technology can only be an enabler if it is delivered and utilised appropriately and in a human-centred way which meets specific individual needs.
Assistive technology and apps can enable people with communication needs to express their wishes, thereby realising their right to self-determination. Assistive technology can enhance quality of life and independence.
The report also highlighted the need for social work practitioners to learn about digital technology in a real-world context, making decisions based on knowledge of what’s available, what is appropriate and what works.
Reflective learning exercise
Complete the exercise below and keep a record of your reflections.
More resources:
Assistive technology (who.int)
Global Report on Assistive Technology (who.int)
Boot et al (2018) – Access to Assistive Technology for people with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review to identify barriers and facilitators
Palmdorf et al (2021) – Technology-Assisted Home Care for People with Dementia and Their Relatives: Scoping Review
Matching interventions and people: A decision-making tool – SCIE
Technology checklist for video calling an adult or carer – SCIE
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