Ethical issues related to the use of gerontechnology in older people care: A scoping review

Background:Demographic trends indicate growth of population aged 65 and older in Western countries. One of the greatest challenges is to provide high-quality care for all. Technological solutions designed for older people, gerontechnology, can somewhat balance the gap between resources and the increasing demand of healthcare services. However, there are also ethical issues in the use of gerontechnology that need to be pointed out.Purpose:To describe what ethical issues are related to the use of gerontechnology in the care of community-dwelling older people.Methods:A scoping review was performed to identify and analyse studies concerning ethical issues when using gerontechnology in the home care of older people. The literature search was limited to studies published after 1990 and addressed to the electronic databases CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane, Medic, IEEE Explore and Web of Science. The search was performed in July−August 2018. Data from empirical studies were analysed using thematic analysis.Ethical considerations:This scoping review was conducted in accordance with good scientific practice. The work of other researchers was respected and cited appropriately.Results:A total of 17 studies were identified. Two main themes were found. ‘Balancing between the benefits of using gerontechnology and the basic rights of older people’, consisted of the subthemes safety, privacy and autonomy. The other main theme, ‘Gerontechnology as a risk of insecurity for older people’, included the subthemes fear of losing human contact and concern and fear. Surveillance and monitoring technologies were mainly studied.Conclusion:These results suggest that there may be ethical issues related to the use of gerontechnology and they must therefore be taken into consideration when implementing technology in the care of community-dwelling older people.</div

Digital inclusion of nursing home residents: a usability evaluation of the digital kiosk siosLIFE™

The fast demographic ageing and technological progress are leading to a greater demand to develop digital solutions that can foster communication, information, and socialization of the elderly population. In the past decade, kiosks have been used to prevent digital exclusion and to promote the quality of life of this age group. This paper analyses siosLIFE™, a digital kiosk that is gradually getting attention from the public. The methodology adopted consisted in a usability test with guided tasks, using a cognitive walkthrough and think aloud protocol, with participants being residents from a nursing home. The results show that siosLIFE™ complies with some usability recommendations, but there are several improvements regarding the interface, contents, integration of support systems, and assistive technologies that can be made.publishe

Getting Grandma Online: Are Tablets the Answer for Increasing Digital Inclusion for Older Adults in the US?

Using information and communication technologies (ICTs) can improve older adults\u27 quality of life. ICT use is associated with decreased feelings of loneliness and depression, along with increased feelings of independence and personal growth. However, limited access and low technological self-efficacy are key reasons why some groups, especially older adults, are excluded from being fully engaged in the digital world. In this study, we focus on older adults\u27 technological self-efficacy, which is related to their actual use of technology and the second level digital divide. Specifically, we examine: (a) how older adults decide to use a new technology, tablet computers; (b) how they conquer the barrier of technological self-efficacy through using tablets; and (c) the impacts of using this new technology in their lives. Twenty-one in-depth interviews were conducted with older adults residing in independent living communities in a medium-sized city in the Deep South region of the United States. Observational and enactive learning played important roles for older adults in using tablets. Seeing others use tablets, getting recommendations from family members, or having tablets given to them were the primary reasons they started to use tablet computers. The ease of use feature of tablets helped solve the problem of lacking technological self-efficacy. Using tablets helped increase a sense of connectedness. Tablet computers may be one way to increase digital inclusion among older adults

Engaging nursing students and older adults through service-learning

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine nursing students’ (n = 18) perceptions of interrelating with older adults to understand how such interactions might improve students’ levels of cultural competence and enhance their future nursing practice. Additionally, the study sought to contribute to a higher level of technological competency in older adults. Design/methodology/approach A basic qualitative study design (Merriam and Tisdell, 2016) was used to direct the data collection and analysis to achieve the aims of this study. Findings Four themes emerged from the data collected based on cultural knowledge, cultural skills, cultural desire and engaging in cross-cultural interactions. Students reflected on how their experiences would help them to interact with older adults in their future nursing practices. Research limitations/implications The limitation of the research is that the exploratory study cannot be generalized for a wider demographic. Also, the students’ prior experiences working with older adults were not considered and their reflections may not have accurately portrayed their true biases. Practical implications Reflection is a valuable practice to help students think through their experiences and is considered a key component of service-learning. In this study, students reflected on how their experiences would help them to interact with older adults in their future nursing practices. Social implications Nursing students who are later used take with them empathy, more sensitivity and positive attitudes toward older people to benefit the nurse-patient relationship with this population. Originality/value This is one of a handful of studies located that pairs nursing students with older people in teaching technology skills through iPad technology

Effects of digital engagement on the quality of life of older people

It is often asserted that older people's quality of life (QOL) is improved when they adopt information and communication technology (ICT) such as the Internet, mobile phones and computers. Similar assumptions are made about older people's use of ICT-based care such as telecare and telehealth. To examine the evidence around these claims, we conducted a scoping review of the academic and grey literature, coving the period between January 2007 and August 2014. A framework analysis approach, based on six domains of QOL derived from the ASCOT and WHOQOL models, was adopted to deductively code and analyse relevant literature. The review revealed mixed results. Older people's use of ICT in both mainstream and care contexts has been shown to have both positive and negative impacts on several aspects of QOL. Studies which have rigorously assessed the impact of older people's use of ICT on their QOL mostly demonstrate little effect. A number of qualitative studies have reported on the positive effects for older people who use ICT such as email or Skype to keep in touch with family and friends. Overall, the review unearthed several inconsistencies around the effects of older people's ICT use on their QOL, suggesting that implicit agreement is needed on the best research methods and instrumentation to adequately describe older people's experiences in today's digital age. Moreover, the available evidence does not consider the large number of older people who do not use ICT and how non-use affects QOL

Technology implementation in delivery of healthcare to older people: how can the least voiced in society be heard?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on ethical and judicial themes related to technology and the older adults. Design/methodology/approach – Different consecutive phases in technology design and allocation will be discussed from a range of perspectives. Findings – Longevity is one of the greatest achievements of contemporary science and a result of development of social relations. Currently, various non-communicable diseases affect older adults and impose the greatest burden on global health. There is a great emphasis across Europe on caring for the older person in their own homes. Technology has a mediating role in determining the possibilities for good quality of life (QOL). The concept of assisting the older adult through the use of technology so as to access healthcare services has enormous potential. Although the potential of technology in healthcare is widely recognised, technology use can have its downsides. Professionals need to be aware of the risks, namely, those related to the privacy of the older person, which may accompany technology use. Research limitations/implications – By 2050, there will be more people aged over 65 than there are children. This phenomenon of global ageing constitutes a massive challenge in the area of health protection. Practical implications – Professionals need to be aware of the risks, for example, related to the privacy of the older person, that may accompany technology use. Social implications – There is a great emphasis across Europe on caring for the older person in their own homes. Technology has a mediating role in determining the possibilities for QOL. Originality/value – The concept of assisting the older adult through the use of technology to avail of healthcare has enormous potential. Assistive technology, social media use and augmentative and alternative communication can have a positive effect on the QOL of older people, as long as they are supported enough in use of these technologies. However, ethical and juridical considerations are at stake as well

MUITO VELHO PARA A TECNOLOGIA? COMO AS NOVAS TECNOLOGIAS DE INFORMAÇÃO E COMUNICAÇÃO AFETAM AS RELAÇÕES SOCIAIS DE PESSOAS MAIS VELHAS EM PORTUGAL

Esta pesquisa analisa a importância do uso das novas tecnologias de informação e comunicação, nomeadamente o computador, a internet e o telemóvel nas relações sociais em um grupo de pessoas mais velhasem Portugal. Comometodologia, foi utilizado grupos focais de seniores com idades entre 61 e 93 anos. Verificou-se que o telemóvel foi maioritariamente visto como indispensável para as relações sociais, enquanto o computador e a internet foram apontados como benéficos, ajudando a construir novas perceções de tempo e espaço. Portanto, a apropriação dessas tecnologias pode influenciar positivamente as relações sociais de pessoas mais velhas

Can ICT improve the quality of life of elderly adults living in residential home care units ? From actual impacts to hidden artefacts

International audienceIn a context of progressive loss of intellectual and interactional capacities for the elderly, the goal of this article is to examine to what extent a new technological environment can improve their quality of life. In this study, we examine the very elderly (mean age 87) who have experienced a loss in functional capacities and are dependent on managed care such as residential home care units. Using qualitative methods amongst a group of 17 residents (semi-structured interviews and longitudinal observations), we examine whether new social practices form and whether subjects feel more socially recognised. Our study shows that information and communications technologies may, to some extent, play an instrumental role in interconnectedness and social stimulation, and can also be seen as a ‘boundary object’ that communicates between the residents’ world (who are rather isolated) and their families’ world (including grandchildren)

Utilizing ICT to prevent loneliness and social isolation of the elderly. A literature review

Ageing of the population is a worldwide phenomenon. Numerous ICT-based solutions have been developed for elderly care but mainly connected to the physiological and nursing aspects in services for the elderly. Social work is a profession that should pay attention to the comprehensive wellbeing and social needs of the elderly. Many people experience loneliness and depression in their old age, either as a result of living alone or due to a lack of close family ties and reduced connections with their culture of origin, which results in an inability to participate actively in community activities (Singh &amp; Misra, 2009). Participation in society would enhance the quality of life. With the development of information technology, the use of technology in social work practice has risen dramatically. The aim of this literature review is to map out the state of the art of knowledge about the usage of ICT in elderly care and to figure out research-based knowledge about the usability of ICT for the prevention of loneliness and social isolation of elderly people. The data for the current research comes from the core collection of the Web of Science and the data searching was performed using Boolean? The searching resulted in 216 published English articles. After going through the topics and abstracts, 34 articles were selected for the data analysis that is based on a multi approach framework. The analysis of the research approach is categorized according to some aspects of using ICT by older adults from the adoption of ICT to the impact of usage, and the social services for them. This literature review focused on the function of communication by excluding the applications that mainly relate to physical nursing. The results show that the so-called ‘digital divide’ still exists, but the older adults have the willingness to learn and utilise ICT in daily life, especially for communication. The data shows that the usage of ICT can prevent the loneliness and social isolation of older adults, and they are eager for technical support in using ICT. The results of data analysis on theoretical frames and concepts show that this research field applies different theoretical frames from various scientific fields, while a social work approach is lacking. However, a synergic frame of applied theories will be suggested from the perspective of social work.El envejecimiento de la población es un fenómeno mundial. Se han desarrollado numerosas soluciones basadas en las Tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) para el cuidado de ancianos, pero concentradas principalmente en los servicios relacionados con aspectos fisiológicos y de enfermería. El Trabajo Social es una profesión que tiene que prestar atención al bienestar integral y a las necesidades sociales de las personas mayores. Muchas personas sufren soledad y depresión en la vejez, ya sea como resultado de vivir solas o debido a la falta de lazos familiares y a la reducción de las conexiones con su cultura de origen. Todo ello desemboca en una incapacidad para participar en las actividades comunitarias (Singh y Mishra, 2009). La participación en la sociedad mejoraría su calidad de vida. Con el desarrollo de la tecnología de la información, su uso en la práctica del Trabajo Social se ha visto incrementado notablemente. El objetivo de esta revisión bibliográfica consiste en trazar el estado actual del conocimiento sobre el uso de las TIC en el cuidado de las personas mayores y saber cuál es el estado de la investigación acerca de la capacidad de uso de las TIC para la prevención de la soledad y el aislamiento social de las personas de edad avanzada. Los datos de esta investigación provienen de la colección básica de la Web of Science, y su búsqueda se ha realizado con operadores «booleanos», cuyo resultado ha sido el hallazgo de 216 artículos publicados en inglés. Después de revisar los temas y resúmenes, se seleccionaron 34 artículos para el análisis de datos en el marco de varios enfoques. El análisis de los enfoques de investigación se clasifica de acuerdo con el proceso de acceso a las TIC por las personas mayores y la adopción de las mismas para su uso, y el servicio social que se les presta a ellos. Esta revisión bibliográfica se centró en la función de la comunicación, excluyendo las aplicaciones que se relacionan principalmente con la enfermería física. Los resultados muestran que, aunque todavía existe la llamada «brecha digital», las personas mayores tienen la voluntad de aprender y utilizar las TIC en su vida cotidiana, especialmente en el ámbito de la comunicación. Se ha demostrado que el uso de las TIC puede prevenir la soledad y el aislamiento social de los personas mayores, y que están muy interesadas en ampliar su conocimiento en el uso de las TIC. El resultado del análisis de los datos obedece a unos marcos teóricos y conceptuales diversos que muestran que en este campo de investigación su diversidad teórica procede de múltiples campos científicos, pero que se echa en falta una aproximación desde la perspectiva del Trabajo Social. Por ello, se sugiere la elaboración de un marco sinérgico de teorías que se apliquen con la perspectiva del Trabajo Social

An analysis of social interaction between novice older adults when learning gesture-based skills through simple digital games

This paper reports three exploratory empirical studies with older adults that had little or no prior experience with interactive technologies. The participants were introduced to interactive technology by playing games on touchscreens, playing in pairs with the assistance of a mentor. We focus on two principle aspects, the peer-to-peer interaction during these sessions, and the role of the mentor in progressing the sessions. In the case of peer-to-peer interaction we looked for ways in which players supported each other during interaction to assess the role of peer interaction in this context. In the case of mentoring, we examined the efficacy of a minimalist approach where verbal encouragement, suggestions or (in the last resort) intervention are used to provide support to learners. The sessions showed that learners typically could play and learn basic manipulations independently after initial help and guidance from mentors. We also found that peer interaction, both in verbal and non-verbal communication and cooperative action was broadly a positive influence within sessions, suggesting that there is significant value in building confidence as well as in learning