Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Freed by gadgetry?
- Author:
- WINCHESTER Ruth
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 24.01.02, 2002, pp.34-35.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Innovation firms are latching on to the fact that there is a gross market for products and systems that boost older people's independence. Evaluates their success.
The assisted living project: a process evaluation of implementation of sensor technology in community assisted living. A feasibility study
- Authors:
- HOLTHE Torhild, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 15(1), 2020, pp.29-36.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Introduction: The ageing population has been described as a grand societal challenge worldwide, and access to technology is one important strategy for meeting this challenge. The Assisted Living Project has a responsible research and innovation approach and includes older adults in evaluating sensor-based functions in assisted living facilities. The purpose of involving users in research is to enhance a wider dialogue about the values, methods, and purposes of the research project. Methods: A feasibility study was carried out in order to inform the development and conduct of a pilot project with eight residents. The purposes were to evaluate the process of technology installation, the feasibility of the technology, and methods for user involvement. One resident, Hilda, gave her informed consent to take part in this feasibility study. Her sensor system consisted of two magnetic sensors, six pyroelectric infrared motion sensors, one power sensor, one push button by the entrance door, and one loudspeaker. The sensors were wirelessly connected to a controller, which registered and transmitted all data to a secure server. Results: The feasibility study suggested important modifications for the pilot project, which concerned pre-configuration of the sensors, securing efficiently, rapid installation, number of visitors during the installation, preparation necessitating a site acceptance test for the wireless network and environmental prerequisites for mounting the sensors. Furthermore, this study recommends that the signals that are transmitted from the sensors to the secure server need verification. Conclusion: A feasibility study provides an opportunity to inform develop and conduct of a main trial. The MRC framework was useful for doing a process evaluation to assess feasibility and quality of implementation, clarify causal mechanisms and identify contextual factors associated with variations in outcome. (Edited publisher abstract)
Two-year use of care robot Zora in Dutch nursing homes: an evaluation study
- Authors:
- HUISMAN Chantal, KORT Helianthe S.M.
- Journal article citation:
- Healthcare, 7(1), 2019, p.31. Online only
- Publisher:
- Molecular Diversity Preservation International and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
The use of the Zora robot was monitored and evaluated in 14 nursing care organizations (15 locations). The Zora robot, a Nao robot with software, is designed as a social robot and used for pleasure and entertainment or to stimulate the physical activities of clients in residential care. In the first year, the aim was to monitor and evaluate how the care robot is used in daily practice. In the second year, the focus was on evaluating whether the use of Zora by care professionals can be extended to more groups and other type of clients. Interviews, questionnaires and observations were used as instruments to reveal the progress in the use of the robot and to reveal the facilitators and barriers. Care professionals experienced several barriers in the use of the robot (e.g., start-up time and software failures). The opportunity they had to discuss their experience during project team meetings was seen as a facilitator in the project. Furthermore, they mentioned that the Zora robot had a positive influence on clients as it created added value for the care professionals in having fun at work. (Edited publisher abstract)
A multi-perspective evaluation of a service robot for seniors: the voice of different stakeholders
- Authors:
- BEDAF Sandra, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 13(6), 2018, pp.592-599.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Purpose: The potential of service robots for older people is given increasing attention as the ageing population in Western countries will continue to grow as well as the demand for home care. In order to capture the experience of living with a robot at home, a multi-perspective evaluation was conducted. Methods: Older adults (n = 10) were invited to execute an actual interaction scenario with the Care-O-bot® robot in a home-like environment and were questioned about their experiences. Additionally, interviews were conducted with the elderly participants, informal carers (n = 7) and professional caregivers (n = 11). Results: Seniors showed to be more keen to accept the robot than their caregivers and relatives. However, the robot in its current form was found to be too limited and participants wished the robot could perform more complex tasks. In order to be acceptable a future robot should execute these complex tasks based on the personal preferences of the user which would require the robot to be flexible and extremely smart, comparable to the care that is delivered by a human carer. Conclusions: Developing the functional features to perform activities is not the only challenge in robot development that deserves the attention of robot developers. The development of social behaviour and skills should be addressed as well. This is possible adopting a person-centred design approach, which relies on validation activities with actual users in realistic environments, similar to those described in this paper. (Edited publisher abstract)
Investing to save: assessing the cost-effectiveness of telecare: summary report
- Authors:
- CLIFFORD Paul, et al
- Publisher:
- Face Recording and Measurement Systems
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 10p.
- Place of publication:
- Nottingham
This summary report describes the findings of a project evaluating the potential cost savings arising from the use of telecare. Another aim was to develop a methodology that will support routine evaluation and comparison of the cost-effectiveness of local telecare implementations. Evaluation was made of the suitability of telecare for 50 clients for whom Overview Assessments had been completed by FACE Recording & Measuring Systems Ltd. Where telecare appeared suitable, the social care costs of meeting the client’s needs before and after provision of telecare were estimated. Estimates were also made of the total savings achievable by the deployment of telecare. Out of the 50 cases, 33 were identified as potentially benefitting from telecare. The average weekly cost of telecare was £6.25, compared to £167 for the average weekly care package for the sample pre-telecare. The results confirmed previous studies showing that very substantial savings are achievable through the widespread targeted use of telecare. Potential savings lie in the range of £3m to £7.8m for a typical council, or 7.4-19.4% of total older people’s social care budget.
An evaluation of Lincolnshire's telecare service
- Authors:
- NEWTON Alex, SHEPARD Deborah, THOMPSON Eloise
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Assistive Technologies, 2(2), June 2008, pp.48-51.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The main aim of the evaluation was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the service in order to contribute to its further development and sustainability. The study was carried out in partnership between Lincolnshire Adult Social Care and Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust. A secondary aim was to determine the impact of the service on the quality of life and the independence of service users using appropriate scales. These measurements were performed in parallel with an audit of the performance and cost effectiveness of the service. Service users, carers and staff all contributed to the evaluation. Initial results have indicated a positive response to the equipment, with a reduction in anxiety and increased independence for both the service user and carer.
A survey of assistive equipment use by older people following hospital discharge
- Authors:
- HOFFMANN Tammy, McKENNA Kryss
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67(2), February 2004, pp.75-82.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Occupational therapists prescribe assistive equipment to increase clients' independence in self-care activities. This study examined clients' use of assistive equipment post-discharge and explored the factors that might have influenced use. The participants were 127 clients who were issued one or more items of assistive equipment while inpatients at a metropolitan hospital. At approximately 10 weeks post-discharge, the participants completed a postal questionnaire. Of the 407 items of equipment prescribed, 363 were used, with three types of equipment (bathboards, hand-held shower hoses and stair rails) having 100% use. The participants who lived alone were more likely to use toileting equipment and shower chairs than the participants who did not live alone. The long-handled equipment had the lowest usage rates. For unused equipment, 16.5% was not used because it was no longer needed and 9.3% because the participants reported that they had never really needed it. Overall, 91.3% of the participants reported that they had received adequate training in the use of the equipment. Although most of the participants used prescribed assistive equipment, makes recommendations based on a client-centred approach to the prescription process to increase clients' use of equipment further.
Living well into old age: findings
- Author:
- JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 1997
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- York
Three samples of over 1,500 people aged 65 and over were followed up between 1986/7 and 1992/3. The study aimed to explore what is 'successful' ageing in terms of what sustains well-being and quality of life. The study, by the authors of St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College and King's College London.
A review of age friendly virtual assistive technologies and their effect on daily living for carers and dependent adults
- Authors:
- MARSTON Hannah Ramsden, SAMUELS Julie
- Journal article citation:
- Healthcare, 7(1), 2019, p.49. Online only
- Publisher:
- Molecular Diversity Preservation International and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Many barriers exist in the lives of older adults, including health, transport, housing, isolation, disability and access to technology. The appropriate integration of technology within age-friendly communities continues to offer possible solutions to these barriers and challenges. Older adults and disabled people continue to be affected and marginalized due to lack of access to the digital world. Working collaboratively with planners, policy makers and developers, social and living spaces in the future will ensure that residents are equipped to live in an era that continues to be led by, and is dependent upon, access to technology. This review paper uniquely draws together the small volume of literature from the fields of gerontology, gerontechnology, human computer interaction (HCI), and disability. This paper examines the national and international age-friendly frameworks regarding older adults who are carers of dependent people with disabilities. (Edited publisher abstract)
The hidden impact of home adaptations: using a wearable camera to explore lived experiences and taken‐for‐granted behaviours
- Authors:
- WILSON Gemma, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 27(6), 2019, pp.1469-1480.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Most adults over 65 years old live in mainstream housing in the United Kingdom, yet these can often be unsuitable for an individual's needs. With increased understanding of the relationship between housing, and health and well‐being, the importance of modifying the home to suit individuals is recognised as being paramount. However, it is often difficult to monitor the ways in which home adaptations and equipment are used in the home. This study used innovative wearable technology to explore everyday, lived experiences of using home adaptations and equipment. Six older adults who had received a major home adaptation in the last 24 months took part in this study. Each participant used a wearable camera for one day and participated in a semi‐structured interview while watching the images back as a ‘slideshow’. Using this novel approach, three themes were generated from the data: acquiring adaptations and equipment, adapting routine and changing behaviour, and inconsistent and unintended uses. The findings of this study open up the complexity of the lived experience of using home adaptations and equipment. Experiences from access to long‐term outcomes are personal, and individuals modify and use the adaptations in various ways to suit their own needs. The wearable camera allowed additional insight into lived experience that would otherwise not have been captured without its use, as the photographs acted as a way of stimulating conversation and highlighting taken‐for‐granted behaviours not often consciously considered by the individuals. (Edited publisher abstract)