scholarly journals Digital Avatars: Promoting Independent Living for Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Manuel F. Bertoa ◽  
Nathalie Moreno ◽  
Alejandro Perez-Vereda ◽  
David Bandera ◽  
José M. Álvarez-Palomo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Computing Power ◽  
The People ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Ideal Tool ◽  
Processing Techniques ◽  
And Storage ◽  
The Ideal

Population ageing, together with the desire to maintain an autonomous lifestyle, poses today’s societies with a challenge that technological advances can help considerably to cope with. The widespread use of smartphones and their increasing computing power and storage capacity make them the ideal tool to achieve this goal. In this paper, we present Digital Avatars, a software framework adapted to the needs of older adults who wish to preserve their lifestyle, but who require assistance through technology. Building on previous work on the People as a Service model, Digital Avatars takes advantage of a smartphone’s capabilities and services to collect information about the people who own them. To do this, it applies Complex Event Processing techniques extended with uncertainty to infer the habits, preferences, and needs of the device owner to build with them an enhanced virtual profile of the user. These virtual profiles are the mechanism for monitoring the quality of life of older adults: analyzing their patterns of activity, reminding them of medication schedules, or detecting risky situations that generate alerts to relatives, caregivers, or the community health system.

scholarly journals Identification of Research Trends in Aging in Place Using Text Mining Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 50-50
Author(s):  
Ha Neul Kim ◽  
Seok In Nam
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Text Mining ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Research Trends ◽  
Life Activity ◽  
Daily Life Activity

Abstract Since 1980s professionals and social service providers have focused on aging at the place where people lived. This is the initial concept of the Aging in Place (AIP). Over 40 years, the topics have developed and extended to other disciplines welcoming different perspectives in the study of AIP. Therefore, this study aims to understand the overall research trends in Aging in Place (AIP) studies using text mining analysis to track the evolvement of AIP subtopics not only in Gerontology but also in various fields. To identify the topic trends, we collected the titles, abstracts, and keywords from 1,372 international articles that were published from 1981 to 2019. Then, keywords were extracted and cleaned based on precedent literature and discussions. We analyzed the keywords based on the degree of centrality and visualized the keyword-networks using VOSviewer and Pajek. Top-most popular keywords are “independent living”, “housing”, “older adults”, “home care”, “daily life activity” and “quality of life.” The change in topic trends shows that in the 1980s to early-2000s, research focused on organization and management level of intervention, home(housing) for the older adults, long term care. In the mid-2010s, health-related topics such as daily life activity, health service, health care delivery and quality of life have emerged. Recently, the topics have extended further to technology, caregiver, well-being, and environment design, environmental planning that support independent living of oneself. The research result shows that the interdisciplinary approach regarding AIP is not only inevitable but also encouraged for an in-depth discussion of the field.

The Ideal Local Party Secretary and the “Model” Man

1964 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 229-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Communist Party ◽  
Direct Observation ◽  
Absolute Power ◽  
Party Secretary ◽  
The People ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
Local Party ◽  
The Ideal

In what light does the Communist Party wish to project itself to the people? Is the local party secretary presented as the remote symbol of authoritarian efficiency, a reflection of the absolute power above? Or is he supposed to be a model of the nutrient “helper,” responsive to the people's needs and governed by humanitarian considerations? The actual quality of these relationships is of course inaccessible for direct observation, but we can examine some of the Communist presentations of the image and expectations in officially approved literary publications.

scholarly journals Beyond Genetic Borders: Sardinian Exposure And Type 1 Diabetes

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Autoimmune Destruction ◽  
The People ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Chronic Childhood

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), one of the most chronic childhood disease, results from an autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β cells producing insulin, with insulin deficiency. Recently significant technological advances have been achieved in treatment and quality of life in diabetic patients but the causes are still uncertain, so it is still very difficult to foresee the possible prevention of this disease. The genetic factors alone do not explain the high risk of T1D, sharply increased over the last 40 years in Sardinia, with the second highest risk in the world after Finland, even as many of the people genetically predisposed to T1D do not develop the disease [1]. It is still unknown why some people develop T1D although it is agreed that genetic, non-genetic and probably epigenetic environmental factors all together contribute to the disease. The environmental factors are probably very important for both the development and the increase of T1D. The epigenetic factor possible interrelationships are to be cleared at most.

scholarly journals Are we ready for artificial intelligence health monitoring in elder care?

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Ho
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Elder Care ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Monitoring Technologies ◽  
Relational Care

Abstract Background The world is experiencing a dramatic increase in the aging population, challenging the sustainability of traditional care models that have relied on in-person monitoring. This debate article discusses whether artificial intelligence health monitoring may be suitable enhancement or replacement for elder care. Main text Internationally, as life expectancy continues to rise, many countries are facing a severe shortage of direct care workers. The health workforce is aging, and replacement remains a challenge. Artificial intelligence health monitoring technologies may play a novel and significant role in filling the human resource gaps in caring for older adults by complementing current care provision, reducing the burden on family caregivers, and improving the quality of care. Nonetheless, opportunities brought on by these emerging technologies raise ethical questions that must be addressed to ensure that these automated systems can truly enhance care and health outcomes for older adults. This debate article explores some ethical dimensions of using automated health monitoring technologies. It argues that, in order for these health monitoring technologies to fulfill the wishes of older adults to age in place and also to empower them and improve their quality of life, we need deep knowledge of how stakeholders may balance their considerations of relational care, safety, and privacy. Conclusion It is only when we design artificial intelligence health monitoring technologies with intersecting clinical and ethical factors in mind that the resulting systems will enhance productive relational care, facilitate independent living, promote older adults’ health outcomes, and minimize waste.

scholarly journals Perspectives on “Novel” Techniques for Designing Age-Friendly Homes and Neighborhoods with Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1800
Author(s):  
Katherine Brookfield ◽  
Iain Scott ◽  
Anthea Tinker ◽  
Catharine Ward Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Participatory Design ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Life Outcomes ◽  
Design Activities ◽  
Barriers And Challenges ◽  
Practical Recommendations

Worldwide, growth in the older population creates a pressing need to develop supportive environments that enhance quality of life as people age. Too often, built environments present barriers and challenges to older adults that compromise independent living and adversely affect health and life outcomes. Designing homes, buildings, and neighborhoods with older adults, through exercises in participatory or co-design, could help ensure that environments are better able to facilitate healthy aging. However, while it is potentially advantageous to involve this age group in environmental design decisions, doing so can be difficult. Analysis of and guidance on effective ways to involve older adults in these activities could make the challenge easier. With this aim in mind, this article provides critical perspectives on eight “less traditional” engagement techniques—walking interviews, photovoice, photo-elicitation, Talking Mats®, participatory mapping, drawing, model-making, and the “Design Fair”. Insights into the strengths and limitations of these techniques, gained from observation of their use in participatory design activities, as well as feedback collected from older co-design participants, are presented. The article concludes by offering a number of practical recommendations for those interested in designing age-friendly homes and neighborhoods with older people.

scholarly journals Using Living Labs to Explore Needs and Solutions for Older Adults With Dementia: Scoping Review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henk Verloo ◽  
Adrien Lorette ◽  
Joëlle Rosselet Amoussou ◽  
Estelle Gillès de Pélichy ◽  
Alcina Matos Queirós ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Community Or ◽  
Scoping Reviews ◽  
Living Labs

BACKGROUND Numerous living labs have established a new approach for studying the health, independent living, and well-being of older adults with dementia. Living labs interact with a broad set of stakeholders, including students, academic institutions, private companies, health care organizations, and patient representative bodies and even with other living labs. Hence, it is crucial to identify the types of cocreations that should be attempted and how they can be facilitated through living labs. OBJECTIVE This study aims to scope publications that examine all types of living lab activities, exploring the needs and expectations of older adults with dementia and seeking solutions, whether they live in the community or long-term health care facilities (LTHFs). METHODS This scoping review was reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) recommendations for the extension of scoping reviews. We searched six bibliographic databases for publications up to March 2020, and a forward-backward citation chasing was performed. Additional searches were conducted using Google Scholar. The quality of the selected papers was assessed. RESULTS Of the 5609 articles identified, we read 58 (1.03%) articles and retained 12 (0.21%) articles for inclusion and final analysis. All 12 articles presented an innovative product, developed in 4 main living labs, to assist older adults with cognitive disorders or dementia living in the community or LTHFs. The objectives of these studies were to optimize health, quality of life, independent living, home care, and safety of older adults with cognitive disorders or dementia, as well as to support professional and family caregivers or reduce their burdens. The overall methodological quality of the studies ranged from poor to moderate. CONCLUSIONS This scoping review identified several living labs playing a pivotal role in research aimed at older adults with dementia living in the community or LTHFs. However, it also revealed that living labs should conduct more better-quality interventional research to prove the effectiveness of their technological products or service solutions. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2147/SHTT.S233130

scholarly journals Beekeeping: Practices, Opportunities and Challenges in Deupur, Parbat, Nepal

ZOO-Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 60-63
Author(s):  
Prem R Gautam ◽  
Ram P Chapagain ◽  
Ramji Gautam
Keyword(s):  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Rural Municipality ◽  
The People ◽  
Forest Coverage ◽  
Market Instability ◽  
Market Stabilization ◽  
And Storage

Beekeeping practice and challenges faced by beekeepers were studied in Deupur, Modi Rural Municipality, Parbat District, Gandaki Province, Nepal. A total of 10 farmers, who had beehives were selected for questionnaire survey during the study period. Of these, five households practiced modern way of beekeeping, two households practiced both modern and traditional way, and three household practiced traditional way of beekeeping. Eighty percent (80%) of respondents supported good forest coverage was the potential opportunities for bee keepers but 20% did not believe; 60% of respondents believed that the existence of a variety of vegetation determined the quality of honey but 40% did not and 20% of respondents were in a reasonable state for availability of resources like hives and storage vessels but 80% did not. The main challenges faced by the beekeepers were expensive modern hives, lack of modern equipments, market instability and pests of bees, such as, ants, moth, mite, wasp, marten and wall lizard. Market stabilization seems to play a provocative role to encourage the people in bee keeping, so, government should pay attention towards it.

The Siberian Agroindustrial Complex: Problems and Opportunities

1992 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ruvinsky ◽  
A. Nezavitin ◽  
L. Ruvinskaya
Keyword(s):  
Poor Quality ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
The People ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Processing And Storage ◽  
Agroindustrial Complex ◽  
Brighter Future ◽  
And Storage

The Siberian agreement has been set up to unite the efforts of the 17 regions of Siberia in achieving economic growth and improving the living standards of the population. Its major challenge is that of feeding the people. The poor quality of the land, the inhospitable climate and the traditional methods of husbandry result in low yields of arable crops and animal products. The problem is aggravated by inadequate facilities for food processing and storage. However, advances in agricultural technology in the form of plant and animal improvement by breeding programmes and increased availability of fertilizers and other agrochemicals, coupled with better management, should ensure a brighter future for this area.

Association Between Health-Related Quality of Life, Physical Fitness, and Physical Activity in Older Adults Recently Discharged From Hospital

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therese Brovold ◽  
Dawn A. Skelton ◽  
Hilde Sylliaas ◽  
Morten Mowe ◽  
Astrid Bergland
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship among health-related quality of life (HRQOL), physical fitness, and physical activity in older patients after recent discharge from hospital. One hundred fifteen independent-living older adults (ages 70–92 years) were included. HRQOL (Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey), physical activity (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly), and physical fitness (Senior Fitness Test) were measured 2–4 weeks after discharge. Higher levels of physical activity and physical fitness were correlated with higher self-reported HRQOL. Although cause and effect cannot be determined from this study, the results suggest that a particular focus on the value of physical activity and physical fitness while in hospital and when discharged from hospital may be important to encourage patients to actively preserve independence and HRQOL. It may be especially important to target those with lower levels of physical activity, poorer physical fitness, and multiple comorbidities.

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