SHARES
Assistive technology generally describes the systems and services related to the delivery of assistive care for people with disability. This group of products aims to improve the proper functioning and health of individuals. Besides, these are necessary because statistics show that over a billion persons need an assistive apparatus in the world today. In reality, only one out of 10 disabled persons have access to the required equipment.
Disabled people do not possess these needed pieces of equipment because some of them are unavailable or too costly. However with an increase in noncommunicable diseases and a surge in the world’s aging population, up to 2 billion individuals would need supportive equipment by a decade from now.
Who Can Benefit From Assistive Technology?
For ease of identification, including people from these groups:
- People with gradual, continuous function depletion
- Individuals with a lifelong disability from trauma and accidents
- Elderly people whose disabilities result from aging
- People with specific organ dysfunction
Impact of Assistive Equipment
To be sure, assistive equipment could function to speed up a person’s recovery process, or they can serve as a lifelong aid in certain conditions. Also, they help people live full, productive, and dignified lives. With these, individuals do not have to be placed on long-term formal health services. Disabled persons can be employed as well go to school. The more they carry out their everyday life activities, the more they become healthier.
Five Types of Assistive Equipment
Some of the most potent and readily available assistive equipment include:
Pride Lift Chairs
These chairs were specially put together for people having difficulties rising to their feet. All the features possessed by this chair serve to increase blood circulation in the immobile individual and engage therapeutics. The chair also works as a standard recliner, and disabled individuals could lie on it if they fail to make it to their beds.
Stair Climbing Power Chairs
Some homes, commercial centers, and workplaces are not handicap-friendly. They were built with stairways or steps, and at times, the elevator might not be functional. All these factors would together put wheelchair users at the mercy of others. This is the reason why some companies have invented power chairs.
These chairs can climb stairs easily. They use a tank-like thread and a Segway balance system to ascend flights of stairs while in a reverse position. As the chair moves upward, it keeps the disabled person balanced and safe. Although this chair is more costly than the regular wheelchairs, they guarantee users unprecedented mobility.
Hearing Aids
This device comes in various ways that correspond to the intensity of damage being suffered by the user. The standard class is for persons with mild to moderate hearing problems. While the power models are for persons with severe-to-profound hearing loss as these power groups require more batteries.
They consist of at least a microphone, a speaker, a capacitor/battery, and a computer chip. Most times, the aids are prescribed for individuals suffering from sensor neural (damaged inner ear hairs). With the help of the hearing aid, the remaining potent hair cells transmit signals through the auditory nerve.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are a widespread group of assistive gears. They are used by individuals who must not put pressure on their lower extremities or persons who cannot walk. Besides, they are usually most suitable for individuals with severe disabilities. And, except for the particular groups of wheelchairs, most regular wheelchairs can be driven by the user, propelled electrically, or pushed by a friend. There have been various inventions and upgrades to the wheelchair over the years.
Canes
Canes are helpful for persons who cannot balance themselves and might fall. They also help ease mobility as they carry the body’s weight and distribute the load from the legs through the upper parts of the body. The disadvantage of a cane as a supportive gear is that they remove a small portion of weight while placing more demand on the wrist and hand.
In the United States, it is statistically shown that one out of every ten adults over 65 years of age uses a cane. There are different types of cane, and they serve various functions.
- Quad canes: These four-foot canes ensure more excellent stability for elderly persons.
- White canes. These are unique to persons with visual impairment. They are longer for detecting obstructions along paths.
- Forearm canes. Offer extra forearm support and permit greater weight distribution from the wrist to the arm.
Conclusion
Possessing assistive equipment can never become a disadvantage for a disabled person. It would instead help them recover faster or better manage their lifelong disability. Hence, every close relation and compassionate member of society should see that these groups of persons lead extraordinary lives. This is because a disability is not a death sentence.
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Important notice. The GetDocSays team has made extensive and reasonable efforts ensuring that medical information is accurate and of a requisite standard. Articles reflect the opinions and views of the contributors and not the publisher.
The information on this site is not professional advice. Neither is it to replace personal consultation with a health care professional. Therefore, the reader should not disregard medical advice or delay seeking it because of information published here.
by Joanne Lee
Multipotentialite. Loves creating and seeing ideas come alive. View all articles by Joanne Lee.
