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Digital Technologies and Aging
Published in Rachael E. Docking, Jennifer Stock, International Handbook of Positive Aging, 2017
Liz Bacon, Professor Lachlan MacKinnon
IT has the capacity to provide a wide range of support to the aging population; however to respond appropriately to what is different about the aging population, we need to understand what changes come with age. These changes can be broadly categorised into the following areas: physical decline, cognitive decline, illness, and disabilities (Jia, Lu and Wajda, 2015). IT can provide support in all these areas including supporting physical treatments, enhanced quality of life, support for independent living, social interaction, and assisting in managing and providing care. This impacts almost every aspect of life, including human behaviour, personal issues, health and health services, environmental, economic, social challenges, and so on. This gerontology-informed technology is called gerontechnology, the success of which involves a multitude of physical, social, and mental issues.
Gerontechnology: Optimising relationships between ageing people and changing technology
Published in V. Minichiello, I. Coulson, Contemporary Issues in Gerontology, 2012
‘Gerontechnology’ is a composite of two words: ‘gerontology’, the scientific study of ageing, and ‘technology ’, research on and development of technically based products and environments. Concerned with the biological, psychological, social and medical aspects of ageing, gerontechnology is ‘the study of technology and ageing for the benefit of a preferred living and working environment and of adapted medical care of the elderly ’ (Graafmans et al 1994, p. 12). As a theory or world view of ageing, gerontechnology is a transactional view of the dynamics of person/environment relationships that occur with secular changes in the built environment and the changes within and between the generations of ageing people who create and use the environment.
A research on the effects of successful aging on the acceptance and use of technology of the elderly
Published in Assistive Technology, 2022
Interactions of older individuals with technology have been researched especially in terms of ergonomics and self-care (Agree & Freedman, 2011). The use of technological products, which are not suitable for the needs and are problematic in design, by elderly individuals may cause frustration, psychological problems, and anxiety (Fisk, Rogers, Charness, Czaja, & Sharit, 2004; Forzard & Gordon-Salant, 2001; Rogers, Campbell, & Pak, 2001). Demiris, Rantz, Skubic, Aud, and Tyrer (2005) investigated the effects of “smart home technology” on attitudes and perceptions of elderly individuals in a study conducted with 15 elderly individuals. According to a research on assistive technology, it showed that technology increased the safety, security and coping abilities of elderly individuals (Miskelly, 2001). Gaugler et al. (2018) found that the remote activity monitoring system increased individuals’ self-efficacy. Furthermore, an approach that investigates the association between elderly and assistive technology is proposed in the literature (Chen & Chan, 2013). This approach consists of a combination of gerontology and technology. Gerontechnology is an interdisciplinary field that includes scientific studies on aging and technology, assisting older people to adapt to assistive and supportive technologies (Bouma, Fozard, Bouwhuis, & Taipale, 2007; Chen & Chan, 2013; Fozard, Rietsema, Bouma, & Graafmans, 2000; Mitseva et al., 2012). All these technological studies focus on the problem of adaptation and the improvement of technological tools in the interaction of elderly individuals with technology.
Gerontechnological factors affecting successful aging of elderly
Published in The Aging Male, 2020
Gerontechnology is an approach derived conceptually from gerontology and technology words, given to the whole of old age and technology work for the improvement of the daily activities of the elderly [47]. Gerontechnology is the sub-branch of Gerontology [47,48], which is interested in exploring, developing, presenting and evaluating technological products and practices that improve the life and daily activities of older people, improve their quality of life, improve their physical, mental and social capacities and situations. This approach, initiated by Graafmans and Brouwers [48], has begun to provide significant contributions to social service and old age science [48]. Gerontechnology is a multi-disciplinary approach that includes research, design, production and marketing. In the context of aging, many subjects such as scientific studies, development and implementation of products, environment, social services, consumption, law, politics, investment, etc., are included in this approach. Gerontechnology provides an analytical perspective on the versatility of aging [47].
Smart technology and the meaning in life of older adults during the Covid-19 public health emergency period: a cross-cultural qualitative study
Published in International Review of Psychiatry, 2020
Sofia von Humboldt, Neyda Ma. Mendoza-Ruvalcaba, Elva Dolores Arias-Merino, Andrea Costa, Emilia Cabras, Gail Low, Isabel Leal
In this context, gerontechnology has emerged as an answer with innovative and directed technological developments, which promote better living conditions and independent living for the older population (Anderberg, 2020). Smart gerontechnology has been used in assisted living of older adults by directly supporting independent living and social interaction (Martel et al., 2018). Home health technologies are mostly used for online shopping and to monitor daily living activities, mental health, physical exercise, cognitive decline and cardiovascular conditions among older adults (Martel et al., 2018). Gerontechnology has also facilitated social relations through the use of adapted communication devices (Anderberg, 2020). Furthermore, health care has benefitted from smart gerontechnology, by monitoring, providing preventive care and treating older adults, and by supporting function and maintaining a good life, especially for those living alone (Anderberg, 2020). Older adults have highlighted positive aspects of using smart technology (e.g. easy access to information, portability and communication, protection, user-friendliness) (Anderberg, 2020). Conversely, research suggests that older adults were unmotivated to use smart technology due to feelings of inadequacy and negative comparison with younger generations; insufficient interaction and social communication; excessively complex technology; lack of clear instructions and assistance; lack of privacy and security; and stigma (Vaportzis et al., 2017). Furthermore, research reiterates differences in use of smart technology stemming from the cultural background of older adults (Shirahada et al., 2019).