Assistive Technology, A New Frontier

In the past, Long Term Care offered few options. Today, just because someone needs some extra assistance is no reason to change their active lifestyle. The technology that we live with today is more powerful in ways we only dreamed of yesterday. This is exciting news for someone needing some extra assistance. Assistive Technology devices and services promises breakthroughs for millions of Americans who need some extra assistance, making it possible for them to make a connection between their minds and the minds of other people, including their families and workplace.

What is an Assistive Technology (AT) Device?
Any item, piece of equipment, or product that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the abilities of people with disabilities.²¹

What is an Assistive Technology (AT) Service?
Any service that directly assists a person with a disability in selecting, obtaining, or using an assistive technology device.²¹

Assistive Technology keeps people in the mainstream of life. Assistive Technology builds self-confidence, independence, self reliance, and allows people to make choices and exercise control of their options.

“The key to successful use of assistive technology is creating a 'good match.' It is important to come up with a good fit between the wide array of devices that are now available, the set of physical, cognitive and sensory challenges faced by the individual with the disability and the tasks or personal goals that the individual wants to accomplish. The result should be greater self-reliance or control over some aspect of daily living or the ability to participate in everyday living in a meaningful way”²⁴

Principles of Assistive Technology

• Involve the entire family.
• Research, research, and more research.
• Focus on what assistance is needed and options.
• Ask for professional evaluations and written recommendations.
• Try different options before making a final decision, especially with more sophisticated devices.

Benefits of Assistive Technology:

• Assistive Technology can help most people to be more functional and independent.
• Assistive Technology means more choices and greater freedom in daily life.
• Assistive Technology enables a person to experience success at home, work, or school, perhaps for the first time.
• Assistive Technology helps people of all ages.
• Assistive Technology can provide varying types of assistance, high or low tech.
• Assistive Technology can make the difference between dependence and independence.

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