In 2009 the Swedish Institute of Assistive Technology (SIAT) received a governmental assignment for three years regarding assistive technology for persons with psychiatric disabilities. Assistive technology can be one part of the rehabilitation process for this group.
The focus is to facilitate the everyday life for a person with psychiatric disabilities who is in need of assistive technology for structuring the day regarding time, memory and initiative taking activities. The devices are intended to give a feeling of security and independence in day-to-day life for the individual and assist in increasing his/her participation in society.
In recent years SIAT has coordinated projects in the field of assistive devices for persons with cognitive disabilities and a pilot project in the field of psychiatric disabilities with interesting results. The new target group consists of the users, their relatives and different professional groups.
The development programme is called “Assistive Technology in Focus” and will collect increased knowledge and experiences about psychiatric disabilities and the needs of assistive devices. Attention will be given to find new channels for the information about assistive devices and technical support as well as new services and how access to them can be made. Courses about assessment and prescription are offered to professional groups. Introduction in how to use the devices and support to continue using them is given to the users via the professional groups.
The assistive devices can support functions and activities
- to plan and organize, i.e. create routines in everyday life for e.g. meals, cleaning and laundry, and work activities
- to understand the time concept
- to start and/or finish activities
- to handle stress
- to assist the memory
- to facilitate sleeping and control the rhythm of the day/night
- to be able to understand the overview and not get caught in details
- to function in social settings and cope in being with other people
The vision is that access to assistive devices should be as good for persons with psychiatric disabilities as for persons with other disabilities.
The objective is that persons with psychiatric disabilities will participate more in society and be able to take part in the supply of assistive devices.
Difficulties underway have been to find available statistics and discuss definitions regarding different groups with psychiatric disabilities. There is an estimation of around 35 000 to 60 000 persons in Sweden who may increase their quality of life and participation in society by using assistive technology.