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Care robots for the supermarket shelf: a product gap in assistive technologies
- Author:
- BLACKMAN Tim
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 33(5), 2013, pp.763-781.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The literature on the development of assistive robots is dominated by technological papers with little consideration of how such devices might be commercialised for a mass market at a price that is affordable for older people and their families as well as public services and care insurers. This article argues that the focus of technical development in this field is too ambitious, neglecting the potential market for an affordable device that is aleady in the realm of the ‘adjacent possible’ given current technology capabilities. It also questions on both ethical and marketing grounds the current effort to develop assistive robots with pet-like or human-like features. The marketing literature on ‘really new products’ has so far not appeared to inform the development of assistive robots but has some important lessons. These include using analogies with existing products and giving particular attention to the role of early adopters. Relevant analogies for care robots are not animals or humans but useful domestic appliances and personal technologies with attractive designs, engaging functionality and intuitive usability. This points to a strategy for enabling mass adoption – which has so far eluded even conventional telecare – of emphasising how such an appliance is part of older people's contemporary lifestyles rather than a sign of age-related decline and loss of independence. (Publisher abstract)
Telecare for people with dementia: evaluation of Renfrewshire project: final evaluation report
- Author:
- YORK HEALTH ECONOMICS CONSORTIUM
- Publisher:
- York Health Economics Consortium
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 35
- Place of publication:
- York
Outlines the key elements of the Renfrewshire project, which provides a tailor-made package of telecare equipment to people with dementia, installation by qualified engineers, regular checking of the equipment, and a responder service. The report highlights some limitations of telecare relating to the stage in the dementia development when the technology is introduced and difficulties of using door sensors in some types of accommodation. In addition, it discusses the acceptability of the telecare technology to service users and carers and to NHS staff, suggesting that there seems to be very little resistance to the introduction of telecare technology by most service users and their carers in Renfrewshire while there is anecdotal evidence that the acceptability of telecare to those working in the NHS varies across different professional groups. (Edited publisher abstract)
Analysis of the UK long term care market
- Author:
- FROST AND SULLIVAN
- Publisher:
- Technology Strategy Board
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 38
- Place of publication:
- Swindon
Examines the economic research in the current care market and makes some analyses and extrapolations of future market potential. The report looks at the public and private long term care provision in the UK and makes some comparisons with global markets. It argues that the residential sector will continue to see higher growth compared to the non-residential sector. The total residential market will see a compound annual growth rate of 4.3 per cent between 2030 and 2040, with the private sector growing faster than the public sector. The report also examines how demand factors impact on the market, focusing in particular on changing demographics, the source of funding and expenditure, the consumer trends and the role of technology, and provides a brief outline of the current political and regulatory context. (Edited publisher abstract)
The role of telecare in meeting the care needs of older people: themes, debates and perspectives in the literature on ageing and technology
- Author:
- AKTIVE CONSORTIUM
- Publisher:
- Inventya Ltd
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- ix, 101
- Place of publication:
- Daresbury
This review of the literature provides a context for the AKTIVE project, which was established to explore how older people, particularly those susceptible to falls or who have cognitive impairments, may benefit from having access in and around their homes to various types of telecare technology. The review considers the social, economic and financial costs of falls and dementia, providing an overview of the demographic changes in the UK. It offers insights into telecare both from the sociology of technology and ageing and from a design-focused perspective. It also explores the policy context around telecare and some of the evidence base used in commissioning telecare, giving examples from local authorities and discussing the role of ‘personalisation’ as an additional driver behind the telecare agenda. In addition, the review considers the limits and barriers to the take-up and adoption of telecare, focusing on psycho-social barriers, impairment diversity, limited funding and poor design. (Edited publisher abstract)
The impact of ICT services on perceptions of the quality of life of older people
- Authors:
- DAMANT Jacqueline, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Assistive Technologies, 7(1), 2013, pp.5-21.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article reports the results of the impact of the information and communication technology (ICT) platform and telecare services developed by the MonAMI consortium on the quality of life (QOL) of older people in three European communities. The technology consisted of alarms, home monitoring and control, reminder services and entertainment services. In a three-month trial, the MonAMI technology was installed in the homes of older people with various needs, in the cities of Stockholm, Sweden; Zaragoza, Spain; and Kosice, Slovakia. Evaluation criteria and instrumentation were developed to assess the effects of the services on users' perceived QOL in the domains of independence, physical health, psychological wellbeing, social networking, and physical environment. A total of 62 users, with a mean age of 79 years, participated in the trial. Results demonstrate that the MonAMI services had some positive, significant effects on users' QOL. For instance, users with a higher number of disabilities at baseline reported greater confidence in keeping intruders from entering their home compared to users with fewer disabilities. However, overall findings show that healthier, more independent users perceived more benefits from the services compared to users who report more health problems and are less independent. The paper highlights some of the methodological challenges of evaluating ICT-based care services in a community setting. Limitations of the research are identified as size of the sample group, which was the small, heterogeneous sample of users and the fact that they were observed over a short time span. (Edited publisher abstract)
Assisted living platform: the long term care revolution
- Authors:
- TINKER Anthea, et al
- Publisher:
- Housing Learning and Improvement Network
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 71
- Place of publication:
- London
This report outlines the case for a revolution in long term care, set in a time scale of 2012, 2020 and 2050. Based on desk-based research of reports and peer reviewed article, it sets out a vision for an alternative to institutional care, drawing on substantial evidence about the views of older people and their carers in the UK and lessons from abroad, . The findings are set in the context of demographic concerns about the rise in numbers of older people, increased prevalence of long term conditions, the role of informal carers, numbers in institutions and costs, poor care both in institutions and at home, financial constraints and the complexity of funding. The paper also identifies practical examples of care provision. Key areas covered include a person-centred approach to care, long term care at home, the role of appropriate housing and health, extra care housing and the potential of technology to enhance people's lives and maintain their independence. The paper highlights implications for providers and makes recommendations to government and industry leaders on key factors for revolutionizing long term care for older people. (Edited publisher abstract)
Can online innovations enhance social care? Exploring the challenges of using digital technology to develop new models of support for older people
- Author:
- AYRES Shirley
- Publisher:
- Nominet Trust
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 23
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
Explores how the care sector can take advantage of the power and potential of digital technology and social networks to develop new models of support for older people. The effective use of digital technologies – based around the internet, computers, mobile phones, social networks, telecare and telehealth – are critical in enabling people to live more independent and fulfilling lives, irrespective of their health and care needs. This is especially true as the demand for care services increases. The paper, using a range of good practice examples, highlights the role of digital technology in alleviating social isolation, enabling access to information and knowledge and in supporting the lives and work of many carers around the UK. The paper calls for a better shared understanding of innovations in this sector, a more co-ordinated and coherent approach to enable carers and care seekers to easily access online information and support, greater shared learning, collaboration and partnerships, and the promotion of events that showcase digital technology innovations in care which could be adopted by local authorities, the NHS and housing providers, as well as being purchased by people funding their own support needs. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social care services, Scotland, 2013
- Author:
- SCOTLAND. Scottish Government
- Publisher:
- Scotland. Scottish Government
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 26
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
A statistical release presenting national figures for social care services provided or purchased by local authorities in Scotland. It includes information on Home Care Services, Self-Directed Support (Direct Payments), Community Alarms and Telecare, Meals services and Housing Support Services. All figures for 2013 relate to the week containing 20 March 2013 and are provisional. (Original abstract)
Potential for change: transforming public awareness and demand for health and care technology
- Authors:
- CARERS UK, TUNSTALL
- Publisher:
- Carers UK
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 12
- Place of publication:
- London
In July 2013, Carers UK, supported by Tunstall Healthcare (UK), commissioned a national opinion poll exploring attitudes towards health and care technologies, including telecare. Fieldwork was undertaken by YouGov between 26th July and 29th July 2013 as part of an online omnibus survey. The total sample size was 2069 adults, representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). The research found a lack of public awareness of health and care technology, even in families using technology in most other aspects of their lives. Carers UK seeks a step-change in public and professional awareness of health and care technologies, so that use and purchase of technology to support caring becomes a normal part of life and of professional practice. Also required is cross-government action to identify and realise the potential of health and care technologies to support health and wellbeing, that will lead to a health and care technologies market that is focused on consumers, and is capable of providing attractive and affordable products and services. (Edited publisher abstract)