Conversation

Assessments for remote monitoring—and technology in general—help teams ask the right questions to identify goals and outcomes technology may assist with. Most technology service vendors and many service providers have their own assessment process to help fine tune outcomes and recommend specific tool options.

New legislation goes into effect on August 1, 2017, requiring technology supports be discussed as part of all 45-day planning meetings for people with disabilities. These meetings establish the needs of the individual receiving services, their personal goals, and the supportive services necessary to meet these objectives.

The DHS Olmstead Plan outlines several key goals that must be accomplished to ensure people with disabilities are living, learning, working, and enjoying life in the most integrated setting possible.

Remote support technology comes in many forms. From medication dispensers that remind individuals to take their medication (and alert staff if access hasn’t occurred) to more high-tech options such as remote monitoring where external staff monitor a series of sensors and/or video  to alert internal staff to a need, options exist to help increase an individual’s privacy and independence while maintaining their needed level of care.

The first video training course, “Technology 101: The Conversation,” guides providers, support staff, case managers, and families through the steps necessary to have thoughtful, shared conversations regarding the addition and use of technology in care plans.

An exploration of technology support options began when a group of men with developmental disabilities expressed their desires for increased privacy and independence.

This assessment was created by the State of Ohio to specifically assist in the process of including remote monitoring technology as part of an individual’s care plan.