Wearable devices to support rehabilitation and social care

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the use of wearable technologies that focuses on applications that tackle sensory and communication deficits, physical disabilities and alarm and activity monitoring. It is intended to promote the introduction of more wearable approaches to providing assistive technologies because of their benefits in utilisation and aesthetic appeal. Design/methodology/approach – The approach involves a comparison of different types of portable device in order to identify different groups that may be beneficial to different application areas. Recent advances are then considered for each area. Findings – The work demonstrates that the use of wearable AT device is increasing due to improvements in materials, battery power and connected intelligence such as smartphones. They will allow new devices to be introduced that are smaller, lighter and more usable. Practical implications – Utilisation of assistive technologies is likely to improve as wearable devices become the norm across a wide range of applications Social implications – Approaches to improving the Quality of Life of people with disabilities through an extended use of assistive technologies will be enhanced by the increased range of devices available and by their performance. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first review of wearable devices that has focused on the needs of people who have rehabilitation and/or social care needs. Its value lies in encouraging manufacturers and designers to use wearable approaches to solving some of the problems facing vulnerable people.