Question
What are the benefits and limitations of EADLs?
Answer
Benefits
Research has shown benefits for the use of ATor EADLs. There is an increase in choice, safety, independence, and sense of control for people. It can increase their quality of life. It allows people to remain in their homes. It reduces the burden placed on the caregivers by allowing people to be more independent; therefore the caregivers can do other things like drive people to the doctors and so forth. It improves the support for people who have long-term health conditions. We are not talking about people with temporary conditions, but people who have been dealing with particular conditions for the long-term. It has also been shown to reduce accidents and falls in the home.
What do EADLs not do?
It does not take the place of people. It does not guarantee that all users will not fall, will not become sick, or will not have an accident. It does not provide a foolproof system. False alarms can happen and sometimes alarms do not happen when they are needed. Sometimes when they get up out of bed and have a monitoring system, maybe the alarm does not go off even though they have gotten out of bed. It is not foolproof. It is technology, not a person. Keep that in mind. Assistive technology does not provide all of the answers.