scholarly journals Smart Environments and Social Robots for Age-Friendly Integrated Care Services

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 3801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ionut Anghel ◽  
Tudor Cioara ◽  
Dorin Moldovan ◽  
Marcel Antal ◽  
Claudia Daniela Pop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Integrated Care ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Smart Environments ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Intervention Point

The world is facing major societal challenges because of an aging population that is putting increasing pressure on the sustainability of care. While demand for care and social services is steadily increasing, the supply is constrained by the decreasing workforce. The development of smart, physical, social and age-friendly environments is identified by World Health Organization (WHO) as a key intervention point for enabling older adults, enabling them to remain as much possible in their residences, delay institutionalization, and ultimately, improve quality of life. In this study, we survey smart environments, machine learning and robot assistive technologies that can offer support for the independent living of older adults and provide age-friendly care services. We describe two examples of integrated care services that are using assistive technologies in innovative ways to assess and deliver of timely interventions for polypharmacy management and for social and cognitive activity support in older adults. We describe the architectural views of these services, focusing on details about technology usage, end-user interaction flows and data models that are developed or enhanced to achieve the envisioned objective of healthier, safer, more independent and socially connected older people.

scholarly journals Sounds of Healthy Aging: Assessing Everyday Cognitive Activity From Real-Life Audio Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 622-622
Author(s):  
Burcu Demiray ◽  
Minxia Luo ◽  
Matthew Grilli
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Prospective Memory ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
World Health ◽  
Recording Device

Abstract The healthy aging model of the World Health Organization (2015) highlights the value of assessing and monitoring everyday activities in understanding health in old age. This symposium includes four studies that used the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR), a portable recording device that periodically collects sound snippets in everyday life, to assess various real-life cognitive activities in the context of healthy aging. The four studies collected over 100,000 sound snippets (30-seconds long) over a few days from young and older adults in the US and Switzerland. Participants’ speech in the sound snippets were transcribed and coded for different cognitive activity information. Specifically, Haas and Kliegel have investigated the “prospective memory paradox” by examining the commonality and differences in utterances about retrospective and prospective memory failure in young and older adults’ everyday conversations. Demiray and colleagues investigated the relation between autobiographical memory functions and conversation types in young and older adults in relation to well-being. Luo and colleagues have identified the compensatory function of real-world contexts in cognitive aging: Their study showed that older adults benefited from talking with their spouse in producing complex grammatical structures. Finally, Polsinelli and colleagues found robust associations between language markers (e.g., prepositions, more numbers) and executive functions, highlighting the potential use of spontaneous speech in predicting cognitive status in healthy older adults. Finally, Prof. Matthew Grilli will serve as a discussant and provide an integrative discussion of the papers, informed by his extensive work on clinical and cognitive neuroscience of memory in relation to real-life contexts.

Introduction

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Fabrice Jotterand ◽  
Marcello Ienca ◽  
Tenzin Wangmo ◽  
Bernice S. Elger
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Regulatory Frameworks ◽  
Legal Challenges ◽  
Specialized Care

Dementia and especially Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are among the most expensive and burdensome diseases in Western societies. It is estimated that the number of older adults being diagnosed and living with dementia reached 35.6 million worldwide in 2010 and it is expected to increase up to 135.5 million in 2050. The increased incidence of the disease poses a major challenge for public health systems and health care services in terms of financial management and provision of specialized care to this patient population. The development and implementation of smart assistive tools (Intelligent Assistive Technologies - IATs) to compensate for the specific physical and cognitive deficits of older adults with dementia have been recognized by many as one of the most promising approaches to this emerging financial and caregiving burden. This volume aims at providing an up-to-date overview of the current state of the art of IATs for dementia care, determining their current taxonomy, and defining their functionality, capability, and level of implementation. In addition, this collection of essays examines the implications of the use of IATs at the medical level, including psychological and clinical issues and the ethical and legal challenges such as problems related to their long-term effects (psychological and physiological), questions related to privacy, and the values and norms guiding the development of regulatory frameworks at the national and international stage.

scholarly journals Communicating public and social services through iTV: Promoting older adults’ quality of life

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-88
Author(s):  
David Campelo ◽  
Telmo Silva ◽  
Jorge Abreu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Interactive Television ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Information And Communication

As the demographic transition occurs in a global scale, dealing with the consequences of population ageing has emerged as a critical task to modern societies. This has led government entities to pay more and more attention to seniors’ concerns, limitations and needs. A deep understand of old citizens, especially those unfamiliar with Internet and smartphone technologies, is also a challenge in order to enable them to fully benefit of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). In the light of this issue, personalization and user-centred approaches involving older adults in all development stages may be the key for higher levels of user engagement with such ICT solutions as the interactive television (iTV) platform reported in this paper (+TV4E). The +TV4E is an on-going research project conducted at University of Aveiro, Portugal, based on a social inclusion approach, aiming to take benefit from the television viewing dynamics of senior viewers, by interweaving short and personalized adverts related to public and social services alongside regular broadcast contents. The platform is being designed with a user-centred approach featuring the integration of assistive technologies and multiplemultimedia communication channels. In this paper, a system architecture to deliver the informative contents is stated and a discussion of the potential social impacts of providing such platform is presented.

scholarly journals Integrated Primary Care and Social Services for Older Adults With Multimorbidity in England: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hajira Dambha-Miller ◽  
Glenn Simpson ◽  
Lucy Hobson ◽  
Paul Roderick ◽  
Paul Little ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Integrated Care ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Integrated Primary Care ◽  
Integration Of Services ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Sector Integration

Abstract Background: As the prevalence of older adults with multimorbidity increases, greater integration of services is necessary to manage the range of physical and social needs of the population. The aim of this study is to describe and summarise current evidence, clinical provision and progress towards integrated primary care and social services for older adults with multimorbidity in an English context. Methods: A scoping review was conducted which included a systematic electronic search of Medline, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Science and Social Science Citation Indices and Opengrey from data inception until the 16th June 2020. Articles were screened and extracted in duplicate by two independent reviewers. Data were extracted onto a charting sheet and thematic synthesis used to summarise findings.Results: Our search yielded 7656 papers of which 84 papers were included. Three themes were identified: (1) diverse focus on individual level services rather than multi-level or multi-sector integration, with an increasing emphasis on the need to consider broader determinants of population health as critical to integrated care in multimorbidity; (2) time was needed for integration to embed to allow new structures and relationships to develop and mature; and (3) we identified inherent tension between top-down and bottom-up driven approaches to integrated care that requires a whole-systems structure while allowing for local flexibilities.Conclusions: There is limited evidence of multi-level and multi-sector integration of services for older adults with multimorbidity in an English context. The literature increasingly acknowledges wider determinants of population health that are likely to require integration beyond primary care and social services. Improving clinical care in one or two sectors may not be as effective as simultaneously improving the organisation or design across services as one single system of provision. This may take time to establish and will require local input.

scholarly journals Integrated primary care and social services for older adults with multimorbidity in England: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hajira Dambha-Miller ◽  
Glenn Simpson ◽  
Lucy Hobson ◽  
Paul Roderick ◽  
Paul Little ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Integrated Care ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Integrated Primary Care ◽  
Integration Of Services ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Sector Integration

Abstract Background As the prevalence of older adults with multimorbidity increases, greater integration of services is necessary to manage the physical and psycho-social needs of this cohort. This study describes and summarises current evidence, clinical provision and progress towards integrated primary care and social services for older adults with multimorbidity in England. Methods A scoping review was conducted involving systematic searches of a range of electronic academic and policy databases. Articles were screened and extracted in duplicate by two independent reviewers. Data were extracted onto a charting sheet and thematic synthesis was used to summarise findings. Articles were included if published in English and related to primary care, social care and multimorbidity in older adults in England. Conceptually, the review was framed using the Rainbow Model of Integrated Care. Results The search yielded 7656 articles of which 84 were included. Three themes were identified: (1) a focus on individual level services rather than multi-level or multi-sector integration, with an increasing emphasis on the need to consider broader determinants of population health as critical to integrated care for older adults with multimorbidity; (2) the need for policymakers to allow time for integration to embed, to enable new structures and relationships to develop and mature; and (3) the inherent tension between top-down and bottom-up driven approaches to integrated care requires a whole-systems structure, while allowing for local flexibilities. Conclusions There is limited evidence of multi-level and multi-sector integration of services for older adults with multimorbidity in England. The literature increasingly acknowledges wider determinants of population health that are likely to require integration beyond primary care and social services. Improving clinical care in one or two sectors may not be as effective as simultaneously improving the organisation or design across services as one single system of provision. This may take time to establish and will require local input.

scholarly journals The Relations between Disability and Environmental Factors: A Pilot Study in Iranian Older Adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammadreza Shahbazi ◽  
Mahshid Foroughan ◽  
Mahdi Rahgozar ◽  
Reza Salmanroghani
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health Organization

<p><strong>OBJECTIVE: </strong>This study explored disability and its correlations with the environmental factors in a group of Iranian older adults.</p><p><strong>MATERIALS &amp; METHODS</strong><strong>:</strong> A cross sectional study was performed. One hundred participants receiving adult day care services in Kahrizak center in Iran were selected by using the complete enumeration method. The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2 (WHODAS II) and the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) questionnaires were used to collect data.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> The mean score of disability was 20.61±13.66, and the scores were higher in women compared to men (P=0.001). Among the CHIEF-25 items‚ the most frequently perceived barrier by the participants was transportation followed by home design and unavailability of health care services. There was a significant association between the disability scores and the environmental factors (P&lt;0.001). Also, significant relationships were found between the disability and all the subscales investigated in the study (polices‚ physical/structural‚ attitude/support‚ services/assistance) (P&lt;0.001).<strong></strong></p><p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Appropriate transportation‚ availability to health care services and removing physical/structural barriers should be taken in consideration.</p>

scholarly journals 62 Engaging Older Adults in Co-Creating a Virtual Coaching Assistant (CAPTAIN) to Support Independent Living at Home

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii1-iii16
Author(s):  
Joanne Carroll ◽  
Louise Hopper
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Technology System ◽  
Production Cycles ◽  
System Requirements

Abstract Background As population age increases (CSO, 2016), the CAPTAIN project aims to prevent premature or unnecessary transfer to long-term residential care by offering a safe environment where older adults can retain their autonomy, dignity and independence. CAPTAIN (Coach Assistant via Projected and Tangible Interface) will develop a virtual eCoaching assistant to facilitate independence in the home using augmented reality projections, voice and speech recognition, artificial intelligence and a user interface designed by older adults with their peers in mind. Methods Using Design Thinking and participatory research principles, older adults (n=10), caregivers (n=3) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) (n=2) co-create the CAPTAIN system with the research team. Co-creation occurs in cycles. Two co-design cycles use participatory workshops to identify older adults’ needs through discussion of typical older adult ‘personas’, examine how technology can support these needs and translate these outputs into system requirements. Four co-production cycles will evaluate CAPTAIN prototypes (hardware and software) to determine the effectiveness of personalised recommendations, usability and acceptability. The evaluation (involves additional caregivers, HCPs and stakeholder groups) combines observed CAPTAIN use, system-generated data, self-report measures, participatory group workshops and one-to-one interviews. Results Participants found the personas helpful in terms of generating conversation in the co-design sessions. They confidently described older adult needs, suggested where technology could provide useful support, and features they thought CAPTAIN should offer. Requirements across seven thematic areas (health, nutrition, physical and cognitive activity, accessibility, social interaction, education and safety) have now been sent to technical developers. Data from each cycle will continue to inform the development of CAPTAIN until system completion. Conclusion Participant contributions have ensured the continued development of an accessible, easy-to-use assistive technology system that will facilitate independent living and support older adults “…to do the things they want to do, when they want to do them”.

scholarly journals Age-Friendly Built Environment

Encyclopedia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 781-791
Author(s):  
Hing-Wah Chau ◽  
Elmira Jamei
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
World Health ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Outdoor Spaces ◽  
Wide Range

Age-friendly built environments have been promoted by the World Health Organisation (WHO, Geneva, Switzerland) under the Global Age-friendly Cities (AFC) movement in which three domains are related to the built environment. These are: housing, transportation, outdoor spaces and public buildings. The aim is to foster active ageing by optimising opportunities for older adults to maximise their independent living ability and participate in their communities to enhance their quality of life and wellbeing. An age-friendly built environment is inclusive, accessible, respects individual needs and addresses the wide range of capacities across the course of life. Age-friendly housing promotes ageing in familiar surroundings and maintains social connections at the neighbourhood and community levels. Both age-friendly housing and buildings provide barrier-free provisions to minimise the needs for subsequent adaptations. Age-friendly public and outdoor spaces encourage older adults to spend time outside and engage with others against isolation and loneliness. Age-friendly public transport enables older adults to get around and enhances their mobility. For achieving an age-friendly living environment, a holistic approach is required to enable independent living, inclusion and active participation of older adults in society. The eight domains of the AFC movement are not mutually exclusive but overlap and support with one another.

Integrated Care

2020 ◽  
pp. 166-191
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Care ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Governance Challenges ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Local Levels

Delivering high quality health and social care is considered to be one of the key governance challenges in the UK. People are living longer, and chronic diseases are more prevalent, which puts ever more pressure on health and social services to deliver. In order to better co-ordinate these services and deal with increased demand and funding pressures, authorities at both national and local levels are moving towards integrated care services. However, the integration of these services is plagued with difficulties. This chapter will explore the complexities of joining-up health and social care. It includes a case study of Continuing Healthcare (CHC), which is a package of care provided by the National Health Service (NHS) and which involves a number of providers across the health and social care sectors. While much of the chapter focuses on health and social care challenges in England, it will finish with analysis of Scotland's progress towards integrated services.

scholarly journals Validation of the Integrated Care for Older People Screening Tool: Focus on the Chair Rise Test to Assess Locomotion

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 73-73
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Gonzalez-Bautista ◽  
Philipe de Souto Barreto ◽  
Aaron Salinas-Rodriguez ◽  
Sandrine Sourdet ◽  
Yves Rolland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Integrated Care ◽  
Rise Time ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
World Health ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
Cut Points ◽  
Chair Rise ◽  
Care For Older People

Abstract The Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) is a function- and person-centered healthcare pathway developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). ICOPE's first step (Step 1) consists of screening for impairments in the intrinsic capacity (IC) domains (namely sensorial, cognition, nutrition, psychological, and locomotion). For instance, the ICOPE Step1 tool suggests a cut-point of 14 seconds for five-repetition chair rise time as a marker of impaired locomotion. Given the lack of validation of this tool in the literature, we aimed to validate the ICOPE screening tool concerning incident health outcomes, focusing on the locomotion assessment. First, we analyzed the five-domain screening tool's ability to identify older adults (OA) at higher risk of incident outcomes (frailty, disability, dementia) using longitudinal data from the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial (MAPT). For the locomotion assessment (chair rise test), we derived and cross-validated age-specific cut points from two population-based cohorts using ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis. We further verified those cut points among OA real-life users of the health system and clinical trial participants. In conclusion, the ICOPE Step 1 screening tool was able to identify OA at higher risk of incident frailty, disability, and dementia. New chair-rise-time cut points for age groups 70-79 years old and 80 years and older were valid in populations from different settings. The ICOPE Step 1 tool provides a practical and integrative way of screening older adults for impairments in IC and detecting those at higher risk of functional decline.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document