Assistive Technology - Good News Story

October 2019 - Julie and Alexa - Assistive Technology helping to meet care needs

Julie is 84 and wants to remain as independent with daily activities as she can. She lives alone but her physical health has deteriorated due to a breathing condition resulting in a recent history of fainting and falls, Julie was prescribed oxygen but due to memory problems would forget to put her oxygen mask on, meaning her oxygen levels would drop and she was more likely to faint or fall potentially causing further injury.

After a recent spell in hospital, Julie was admitted to Farmborough Court Rehabilitation Centre where she was referred by her Occupational Therapist Janine, to the assistive technology team after they discussed with her the benefits of having assistive technology installed.

The assistive technology was going to be used in the rehab centre to determine if Julie was able to manage her oxygen independently, if she was unable to manage independently, she would require assistance from carers when discharged home; which would incur a cost and would reduce some of Julies independence.

We used to go to the bathroom, as an area to monitor, as the effort of mobilising to the toilet, transferring from the toilet and mobilising back would cause Julie significant breathlessness. A door sensor was placed on the bathroom door, which after a delay (long enough for her to use the bathroom) would then trigger an alert from the Alexa echo dot device prompting Julie to put her oxygen mask on, with step by step instructions on how to do so. Julie was also shown some of the other functions that an Alexa has, she was able to ask the time, the weather and listen to music. In anticipation for discharge from Farmborough Court further sensors could be placed around Julies home. If she required further prompts after making lunch or going in the shower Julie would receive further prompts which Alexa would deliver.

After 2 days Julie was observed to consistently follow the prompts successfully and did not require any assistance from carers with the oxygen meaning that the assistive technology was successfully enabling Julie to remain independent with her oxygen management. When asked about how she feels about the assistive technology Julie said; 'I was worried at first as I have never used anything like this before and thought it might be annoying, I am so happy I agreed because it is working smashingly. I like talking to the Alexa and don't think I would have managed to remember without it'.