Assistive Technology

• What is assistive technology?
• Who can benefit?
• Examples of assistive technology
• Where to start
• Purchasing assistive technology
• Services provided by the council

What is assistive technology?

Assistive technology is any device, system or equipment designed to assist you with everyday activities. They are intended to support you to stay safe and independent in your own home for as long as possible.

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Who can benefit?

Assistive technologies can be useful for many people, including people with

• a learning disability
• dementia or poor memory
• difficulty walking
• difficulty using their hands
• blindness or visual impairment
• deafness or hearing impairment

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Examples of assistive technology

There are many different types of devices out there. These include equipment to help you with:

• moving around

• sitting comfortably

• completing household tasks

• using a computer

• monitoring your health

• alerting your carers when you need help

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Where to start

AskSARA (external link) 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 chores.

You can see a list of companies on Haricare that sell telecare products, such as personal alarms.

Apps for care and support

Haricare also has links to a selection of useful apps you can download for Apple (external link) or Android (external link) phones.

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Purchasing assistive technology

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.

Information on products and suppliers can be found here:

• Assistive technology guide (external link)
• The Research Institute for Disabled Consumers - RiDC (external link)

We recommend that you view any equipment before purchasing to make sure it meets your requirements.

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Services provided by the council

Our community alarm service supports a range of customers by providing technology within the home (often called Telecare). This can detect falls, improve the security of your home, or raise an alarm to our 24 hour 365 day service.

The service is chargeable, and you will need to have an assessment first.

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