The use of assistive technology to support self care of the elderly people at home
Sisay, Manindanchi (2017)
Sisay, Manindanchi
Yrkeshögskolan Arcada
2017
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201705168555
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201705168555
Tiivistelmä
Abstract
Background: The rapid increase of ageing population is raising concern in many developed countries, especially in Northern Europe where declined fertility rates after baby boomers caused a demographic structure dominated by people aged 65 and above. Ageing comes with functional and cognitive declines. Therefore, in the coming decades, the need for elderly care is expected to grow significantly which creates a gap between care demand and supply.
Aim: The aim of the study is to explore the option of assistive technology to support elderly people’s self-care ability and reduce burden on home care providers by facilitating organized way of care service delivery. Based on prior studies done, the research questions investigated (1) What is the role of assistive technology in supporting self-care of the elderly? (2) What kind of assistive technology is currently available for use by the elderly? Method: Systematic literature review was conducted by selecting 11 scientific articles written on the subject. Theory: This study was done guided by a nursing theory of self-care by Dorothea Orem. Results: The study found out that application of technology plays important role in maintaining physical and cognitive functioning of the elderly and empowers them to live independently and safely. It also showed that assistive technology contributes a lot in improving quality of life of elderly people living at home and reduce burden of care givers as well as health care cost. The findings of currently available assistive technology for elderly people fetched variety of assistive technology products and services that are known and widely used at this time. Conclusion Application of assistive technology is advantageous for the elderly, the health care professionals and the health care system. However, further studies need to be conducted from nursing perspective and awareness raising activities need to be done among home care nurses.
Background: The rapid increase of ageing population is raising concern in many developed countries, especially in Northern Europe where declined fertility rates after baby boomers caused a demographic structure dominated by people aged 65 and above. Ageing comes with functional and cognitive declines. Therefore, in the coming decades, the need for elderly care is expected to grow significantly which creates a gap between care demand and supply.
Aim: The aim of the study is to explore the option of assistive technology to support elderly people’s self-care ability and reduce burden on home care providers by facilitating organized way of care service delivery. Based on prior studies done, the research questions investigated (1) What is the role of assistive technology in supporting self-care of the elderly? (2) What kind of assistive technology is currently available for use by the elderly? Method: Systematic literature review was conducted by selecting 11 scientific articles written on the subject. Theory: This study was done guided by a nursing theory of self-care by Dorothea Orem. Results: The study found out that application of technology plays important role in maintaining physical and cognitive functioning of the elderly and empowers them to live independently and safely. It also showed that assistive technology contributes a lot in improving quality of life of elderly people living at home and reduce burden of care givers as well as health care cost. The findings of currently available assistive technology for elderly people fetched variety of assistive technology products and services that are known and widely used at this time. Conclusion Application of assistive technology is advantageous for the elderly, the health care professionals and the health care system. However, further studies need to be conducted from nursing perspective and awareness raising activities need to be done among home care nurses.