Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology
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Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol · Nov 2018
Taking back a little of what you have lost: the meaning of using an Environmental Control System (ECS) for people with high cervical spinal cord injury.
Assistive technologies have deep and personal meanings for people with disabilities. This study sought to provide an in-depth exploration of the subjective meaning of Environmental Control System (ECS) use for people with high cervical spinal cord injury. ⋯ A nuanced range of meanings, demonstrating how "a little can mean a lot" emerged from this study. For those with high cervical spinal cord injury, "reclaiming a little doing" resulted in subtle, but subjectively significant, improvements in identity, relationships and well-being, while "feeling enabled" was both enjoyable and empowering and led to an increased sense of safety and reduced neediness. The potentially powerful impact on individuals with life-altering injuries of reclaiming a little of what they had lost, supports the value of more widespread access to and provision of ECS. Implications for rehabilitation While ECS use produces only a "little" objective change in activity levels, it subjectively means "a lot" to people with high level injuries. ECS enable people to "do" everyday things as well help in supporting them to "feel" less dependent and needy. Using ECS facilitates much more than functional tasks and a sense of security. It helps promote positive self-perception and continuity of being. It is important for those with high cervical spinal cord injuries to have access to ECS to ensure they can enjoy both psychological and physical benefits.
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Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol · Nov 2018
Benefits and burdens: family caregivers' experiences of assistive technology (AT) in everyday life with persons with young-onset dementia (YOD).
People with dementia and their family caregivers may benefit from assistive technology (AT), but knowledge is scarce about family carers' (FC) experiences and involvement in the use of AT in everyday life. ⋯ The study found benefits for the FC, especially with simply designed AT, but also several barriers for successful use. A committed caregiver is vital throughout the process. Users will need professional advice and support, and occupational therapists may have a significant role in the process. Interventions implementing AT must be based on analysis of the needs of the person with YOD and the carers: their capabilities, preferences, embodied habits, and coping strategies. Implications for Rehabilitation Committed family carers (FC) play an important, often decisive, role in providing support for the person with young-onset dementia (YOD, onset <65 years) to use and benefit from the AT. The simpler the AT, the better. The AT should be introduced at "the right time", before the cognitive and adaptive reduction is too great. The "window" for implementation may be short. AT has potential to ease caregiving and give relief for FC. However, many barriers, difficulties and problems must be attended to. A system for individualized support over time is necessary for implementing AT for this group.