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

There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

Abstract

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.

Related collections

Most cited references 46

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

Internet use and well-being in older adults.

Jinmoo Heo, Sanghee Chun, Sunwoo Lee … (2015)

The Internet has become an important social context in the lives of older adults. Extant research has focused on the use of the Internet and how it influences well-being. However, conflicting findings exist. The purpose of the study was to develop an integrative research model in order to determine the nature of the relationships among Internet use, loneliness, social support, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Specifically, loneliness and social support were tested as potential mediators that may modify the relationship between Internet use and indicators of well-being. Data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used, and the association among Internet use, social support, loneliness, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being was explored. The sample consisted of 5,203 older adults (aged 65 years and older). The results indicated that higher levels of Internet use were significant predictors of higher levels of social support, reduced loneliness, and better life satisfaction and psychological well-being among older adults.

0 comments Cited 131 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

Record: found
Abstract: not found
Article: not found

Older adults’ experiences and perceptions of digital technology: (Dis)empowerment, wellbeing, and inclusion

Rowena Hill, Lucy R. Betts, Sarah E. Gardner (2015)

0 comments Cited 93 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

Record: found
Abstract: not found
Article: not found

The Role of Healthcare Robots for Older People at Home: A Review

Elizabeth Broadbent, Hayley Robinson, Bruce Macdonald (2014)

0 comments Cited 84 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

All references

Author and article information

Contributors

van Zaalen Yvonne :

Bio :

Yvonne van Zaalen is based at the Institute of Allied Health Professions, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

McDonnell Mary :

Bio :

Mary McDonnell is based at the Faculty of Science and Health of the Athlone Institute of Technology, Athlone, Ireland.

Mikołajczyk Barbara :

Bio :

Barbara Mikołajczyk is based at the Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.

Buttigieg Sandra :

Bio :

Sandra Buttigieg is based at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.

Requena Maria del Carmen :

Bio :

Maria del Carmen Requena is based at the Department of Psychology, Universidad de León, León, Spain.

Holtkamp Fred :

Bio :

Fred Holtkamp is based at the Institute of Allied Health Professions, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

Journal

Journal ID (publisher): JET

Journal ID (doi): 10.1108/JET

Title: Journal of Enabling Technologies

Abbreviated Title: JET

Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

ISSN: 2398-6263

Publication date (Print, ppub): 18 June 2018

Volume: 12

Issue : 2 Issue title : Design, Technology, and Engineering for Long-Term Care Issue title : Design, Technology, and Engineering for Long

Pages: 76-90

Affiliations

[1]Institute of Allied Health Professions, Fontys University of Applied Sciences , Eindhoven, The Netherlands

[2]Faculty of Science and Health of the Athlone Institute of Technology, Athlone, Ireland

[3]Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Silesia , Katowice, Poland

[4]Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta , Msida, Malta

[5]Department of Psychology, Universidad de León , León, Spain

Author notes

Yvonne van Zaalen can be contacted at: y.vanzaalen@fontys.nl

Article

Publisher ID: 612793 Original-pdf ID: JET-10-2017-0041.pdf Filename ID: JET-10-2017-0041

DOI: 10.1108/JET-10-2017-0041

SO-VID: d4f31b96-6f84-4f5e-8d91-6a2f269b16c2

License:

Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode

History

Date received : 11 October 2017

Date: 19 March 2018

Date accepted : 19 March 2018

Page count

Figures: 1, Tables: 0, Equations: 0, References: 71, Pages: 15, Words: 8347

Custom metadata

peer-reviewed no

academic-content yes

EContentType JOURNAL

rightslink included

ScienceOpen disciplines: Data structures & Algorithms,Information & Library science,Computer science,Security & Cryptology,Artificial intelligence,Communication & Media studies

Keywords: Judicial,Older adults,Technology,Design,Social connectedness,Ethical considerations

Data availability:

ScienceOpen disciplines: Data structures & Algorithms, Information & Library science, Computer science, Security & Cryptology, Artificial intelligence, Communication & Media studies

Keywords: Judicial, Older adults, Technology, Design, Social connectedness, Ethical considerations

If you're an author, researcher, or someone who cares as much as we do about education and lifelong learning, we would love to work with you and help your research to contribute to quality education for all.
https://bit.ly/3vOKorI