Using Technology Solutions to Support Home Health, Safety, and Greater Independence and Quality of Life.

Supporting individuals with intellectual disability or related neurodevelopmental disabilities should access all available and types of supports that can enhance their personal independence, autonomy, health, safety, and overall quality of life. Herein we discuss the value of exploring the use of technology solutions as a under-utilized type of support used in our field. We briefly present the availability and benefits of using "smart home" technologies and remote support services technologies that can meet the support needs of this population and may also be a viable alternative to the heavy reliance on direct support professionals. This availability of this workforce has reach crisis levels in some counties, such as the United State. We briefly discuss how these technology solutions, may in some situations, be adequate substitutes to having the physical presence of direct support professionals.

Using technology and remote support services to promote independent living of adults with intellectual disability and related developmental disabilities.

BACKGROUND: The use of remote support technologies is a newer form of service that can contribute to increased independence while giving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities a sense of home safety. This research reviewed the use of remote support services, which is a waiver service that includes smart home technologies and remote support staff that can be called upon, when needed. METHOD: Using focus groups and telephone interviews, the present authors asked users of remote support services about their experience, including what they liked most and least about their experience with these technologies. RESULTS: Overall, increased independence and a sense of security and home safety were identified as the two principal benefits. Remote support technologies may be a part of the solution to addressing the lack of direct support professionals available to provide in-home care. CONCLUSIONS: The present authors discuss the benefits of remote support technologies and offer recommendations for future research regarding remote support technologies and the potential benefits of this newer form of support service.

Technology Tools: Increasing Our Reach in National Surveillance of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Challenges in collecting comprehensive health surveillance data on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are numerous. A number of important issues and strategies are discussed in the articles contained in this special issue of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. In this article, we focus on the advances and tools available in the area of technology. We explore a number of possible sources including accessing big data such as analyzing health information contained in Medicaid and Medicare health databases. We also discuss some of the possibilities afforded to us by complementing Medicaid/Medicare database information with health information available in the myriad of electronic health records. Lastly, we explore other technologies available that might yield valuable health supports and information, including wearable devices, remote supports and other smart home technologies, telehealth and telepsychiatry, as well as looking at ways to access other technologies that collect health information (e.g., glucometer, health apps, connected exercise devices, etc.).