Assistive technology can have lots of benefits, including personalised solutions, greater choice and control, increased safety and independence, support for carers and better health and wellbeing.

It is also important to consider the financial benefit of assistive technology as measuring financial savings is also a tangible way of measuring outcomes.

When you make a referral to Careline in Mosaic, there is a section where you are required to outline if there is a financial benefit to the referral.

Reduce: part of a care package can be reduced by installing assistive technology. E.g. welfare check visits could be removed if assistive technology is installed, or a waking/sleeping night may no longer be needed. In this instance, you are required to quantify the cost of care that you are reducing.  

Avoid: by using assistive technology you will be able to avoid introducing a package of care, or avoid increasing an existing care package. For example, you could avoid a move to residential care for a number of months by installing assistive technology. In this instance, you are required to quantify what additional care you are avoiding putting in place.

Prevent: assistive technology has the potential to delay the need for additional care and support, but this cannot be quantified as it is not imminent. For example assistive technology may reduce or delay hospital admissions.

None: assistive technology will help stabilise existing care arrangements. For example, support end of life care, prevent carer breakdown or placement breakdown or manage safeguarding concerns.  

If you are still unsure which option to select, this flowchart might help.