Technology as a Pathway for Older People to Engage in Activities Promoting Successful Ageing
Luísa Teixeira-Santos, Elzbieta Bobrowicz-Campos, Filipa Ventura, Vitor Parola, Adriana Coelho, Maria de Lurdes Ferreira Almeida, Isabel Gil, Maria Teresa Moreno-Casbas, João Apóstolo
Copyright: © 2020
|Pages: 27
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-1937-0.ch005
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the use of technology on older adult health promotion. During the ageing process, they experience changes in physical, cognitive, psychological, and social domains. Frailty is the most problematic expression of ageing and entails a high risk of adverse outcomes. In order to prevent it, healthcare professionals must intervene on health promotion. However, it's impossible to continuously monitor the health status of thousands of people. Technologies can bridge the gap between older people's home and the hospital. Especially those with sensors, allow healthcare professionals to continuously monitor the older people's health status and evaluate the health parameters to prioritize care and alert to necessary behavioral changes. The seniors become more aware and responsible for their health, increasing their literacy, autonomy, and well-being. They become more engaged in activities that promote successful ageing. In this chapter, the authors address one of many research projects that monitor the health parameters of older people in a community setting through wearable sensors.
TopAgeing In 21St Century: Trends At A Glance
Ageing is a trend spreading across the world, transforming populations and societies around the globe. In 2015, the world’s population aged 60 years and older summed up to 900 million people. By 2050, an increase to 2.2 billion is expected. In 2018, 125 million people were aged 80 years or older in all world. In 2050, 120 million are expected just in China and 434 million worldwide (WHO, 2018). Europe (EU) is not an exception. Almost all European countries are affected by the phenomenon of demographic ageing associated with a significant increase in the average life expectancy, migratory movements and a decrease in birth rate. Demographic ageing is considered one of the greatest social and economic challenges of the 21st century (PORDATA, 2016). From 2016 to 2070 an increase of 9 million people in Europe (EU) is expected. However, the working-age population (people aged 15-64) will decrease by 41 million. This ageing phenomenon in the EU will have a significant implication in the labor force, financial sectors and healthcare systems (European Commission, 2014; Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2017).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Gerontechnology: Technological solutions for innovative and independent living and social participation of older adults in good health, comfort, and safety. Defined as implementing successful aging and assisting older adults in meeting the domains of housing, communication, health, safety, comfort, mobility, and leisure.
Chronotype: Body’s biological clock. When people work against their natural inner schedule, their circadian rhythms enter in chronodisruption.
Frailty: Transitional phase between successful ageing and disability characterized by a state of increased vulnerability that entails a high risk of adverse outcomes closely associated with loss of independence and quality of life.
Successful Ageing: Implies the active and continuous participation of the older adult both in health promotion and in the search for answers in preventing associated physical and cognitive declines; coping with age-related stressors in a purposeful way, and finding ways to maintain quality of life.
Ageing in Place: The ability of older people to continue living at home and in the community over time, safely and independently.
Person-Centered Care: A type of care where the patients actively participate in their own medical treatment in close cooperation with the healthcare professionals, informal/formal caregivers or stakeholders, in accordance with their preferences, needs, wishes, and values.
Chronodisruption: Relevant disturbance of orderly biological rhythms, has been related to the inadequate exposure to environmental synchronizers and unhealthy behaviors.