Assistive Technology for Independent Living with Dementia: Stylized Facts and Research Gaps

Background: Demographic change and continuously increasing spending on public health have intensified the public debate as well as deliberations on the development and deployment of new assistive technologies; particularly for dementia patients as it affects a large and increasing number of people, not only causing massive social distress, but also great economic losses. Recent advancement in assistive technologies (AT) have therefore fueled the debate on new, IT-reliant ways of providing cure and care of dementia. Still the impact on practice has been little. With this paper, we want to find out to which extent current studies have discussed the impacts of AT for dementia. Methods: We conduct a scoping review of the literature. We identified n=539 unique articles, out of which n=36 reported on impacts of AT use in the context of dementia. Based on this subset, we extracted a list of original statements, which was then further aggregated to 6 stylized facts. Results: The identified stylized facts describe common findings that can be observed in most studies reporting on IT-reliant assistive tools for dementia patients although applying different methods, focusing on different technologies, or working in different contexts. Conclusions: While the identified stylized facts indicate how much evidence behind certain common assumptions is, we additionally found that studies in the area of AT for dementia often neglect the socio-economic and ethical dimension. These are important research gaps for future work

Using Information and Communication Technology in Home Care for the Elderly

Due to population aging, countries’ financial capacities to maintain the current level and scope of services and institutional care for the elderly are decreasing, which is why there are increasing demands to rationalize services and residential care for the elderly as much as possible. The society has responded to such issues with the idea that the elderly should be able to remain in their home environment as long as possible, where they would be able to lead their lives with the best possible quality of life. People support the idea broadly because it meets the desires and needs of the elderly. Most want to stay at home, and in the same social environment, they want to maintain their autonomy as long as possible. To make to the elderly, the possibility to remain in their living environments and moving elder-care activities to their homes can be achieved with the help of information and communication technology (ICT) by which home care could be provided remotely

A Living Lab Facility on Safety in Homes among the Elderly and Elderly Disabled: A Literature Review

The study aimed to improve safety in the home environment for the elderly to live independently. The focus was discussing the measures of safe environment that promoted health, safety and security of the elderly. The study described the constituents of a safe home environment and approaches that safe environment promoted health of the aging. The objective was to utilize the results to advance safety in homes and assist the development of a living laboratory in the Ostrobothnia region. There is evident urgency for preventive health care measures that reduce injuries. The major hindrance in reducing falls was the inadequacy of facilities in homes for safety. Housing designs were inconsiderate of the elderly population. As a result, majority of this population were enrolled into rehabilitation institutions prematurely. A literature review with content analysis was established. The databases included Ebrary, CINAHL, Ovid, SAGE Premier and Science Direct as well as reliable electronic publications. These included WHO and Statistics Finland. The elderly safety was improved through modification of simple measures (grab bars, adequate light and non-slippery floor) and introduction of emerging advanced technology. Emerging care technologies were designed to enhance and maintain the well-being and independence of the aged. Technologists were to acknowledge pre-existing practices by enhancing them rather than replacing them. The recommendations include data on statistics that evaluated the safeness of the technologies and their direct correlation to the nursing profession

AGEING AND INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY: THE CASE OF MELCO IN CYPRUS

While demographic ageing is increasing rapidly, it is important to consider new approaches to support older people preserve a successful ageing and satisfy their social needs. This article is discussing the issue of demographic ageing in accordance with assistive technologies that could enable someone to maintain active ageing. A project, called MELCO (Mobile Elderly Living Community) was carried out among older Cypriots. Its purpose is to function as a safety net to vulnerable older people who are in a risk for falling into social isolation and assist them in order to maintain an active role in their social environment while at the same time is monitoring their position, the lack of any movement and falls

Ambient Assisted Living:Benefits and Barriers From a User-Centered Perspective

Abstract—Older adults have a growing desire to remain independent and age in their own home environment. Policy makers support this wish, as the quality and quantity of institutional care cannot be guaranteed with the present health care budget. Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) technologies can meet the interests of both parties, by facilitating healthy and active aging in the home environment. However, those technologies are still in their infancy and the likelihood of their adoption remains uncertain. By conducting a literature study and a user-requirement study for a conceptual AAL application called SONOPA (Social Networks for Older Adults to Promote an Active Life), benefits and barriers to the adoption of AAL technologies, as perceived by the elderly user, were identified. The user-requirement study consisted of focus groups and interviews with older adults and elder care professionals, conducted in the UK, France and Belgium. Together, the literature study and the user-requirement study led to several design guidelines which direct the future development process of SONOPA and related AAL applications. Keywords-AAL; elderly; benefits; barriers; design. I

Promotors and barriers to the implementation and adoption of assistive technology and telecare for people with dementia and their caregivers: a systematic review of the literature

Background One of the most pressing issues in our society is the provision of proper care and treatment for the growing global health challenge of ageing. Assistive Technology and Telecare (ATT) is a key component in facilitation of safer, longer, and independent living for persons with Dementia (PwD) and has the potential to extend valuable care and support for caregivers (formal and informal) globally. Results of this systematic review are of key importance because well-executed ATT implementation, leading to habitual usage and adoption, can assist and strengthen current healthcare services, improve access to healthcare and decrease societal and caregiver burden. Objective The objective of this study is to identify promotors and barriers to implementation and adoption of ATT for PwD and their informal (family and friends) and formal (healthcare professionals) caregivers. In addition, we aim to provide valuable insight for municipalities and healthcare organizations for improved implementation strategies. Methods The study was registered in PROSPERO 25th of February, 2021: CRD42021239448. NVivo was utilized for synthesis and analysis of article content. As the results were from diverse disciplines using varied methods of analysis, a semi-systematic approach with narrative synthesis was used for the review. PICO criteria and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines have been used to guide all processes and results. Rayyan and NVivo were utilized for selection of articles and analysis of found themes. In addition, the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) has been used to visualize meta-synthesis and meta-analysis results and overall quality of included literature. Results This review encompasses relevant information regarding the implementation and adoption of ATT for PwD and their caregivers from five continents and sixty-five countries. It is a true global representation of the growing challenge of ageing. In total, 32 publications were included for review. Identified primary promotors for the implementation and adoption of ATT were as follows: personalized (tailored) training and co-designed solutions, safety for the PwD, involvement of all relevant stakeholders (multi-faceted approach including PwD), ease of use and support (design and follow up), and cultural relevance. Main barriers for the implementation and adoption of ATT included: unintended adverse consequences, timing and disease progress, technology anxiety, system failures (connectivity, errors, etc.), digital divide and lack of access to or knowledge of available ATT. Conclusions The most crucial elements for the adoption of ATT in the future will be a focus on co-design, improved involvement of both the PwD and their caregivers, and the adaptability (tailoring related to context) of ATT solutions over time (disease process). 94% of the literature presented in the review comes from high income countries. There is a significant need for more quality research to be conducted in the regions of the world where population growth and prevalence of dementia is expected to grow most rapidly over the next 30 years.M.Phil. in Global Health - ThesisINTH395AMAMD-GLO