Digital ageing in Europe: a comparative analysis of Italian, Finnish and Swedish national policies on eHealth

Abstract

Ageing Europeans are today healthier than previous generations and often manage to live independently up to a high age. The proportion of people 80 years of age and older has increased significantly, and with high age the risk of multi-illness and dementia increases. Strong urbanisation processes have changed the demographic structure in rural areas, and young women and men have migrated towards the urban areas to study and work, while older persons have remained behind. This demographic challenge of increasing numbers of persons older than 80 years with care needs living in remote rural areas has become a major European social problem. In tackling this dilemma, many European countries have high expectations for eHealth, digitalisation and welfare technology. In this comparative study of policy debates in Italy, Finland and Sweden, we analyse how – between 2009 and 2019 – the issues of eHealth have been articulated in national and regional policies of the three countries with deep differences in terms of digitalisation and health systems, but with similar ageing populations. We identify in the documents three core topics – the role of technology, the rural issue and responsibility for care. These topics are treated in the documents with differences and similarities between the three countries. Beyond the differences and similarities, the documents reveal both a certain techno-enthusiasm about the role of eHealth in the life of the older adults as well as a limited understanding of the complexity (relationally as well as spatially) of the digital landscape of caring for older adults.

Technology anxiety and technology enthusiasm versus digital ageism

“…This is where participating digitally is a means to ensure a longer healthier life. In places like Sweden, which has 33% eGovernment tools (Valokivi et al, 2021), it may be important to be able to do administration and online banking, conduct social calls online, etc. These are all closely related to technology enthusiasm.…”

A review of the challenges and strategies of delivering services of general interest in European rural areas

“…Most notably, the importance of solidarity-based health provision beyond business efficiency has come back into focus. Moreover, the sudden en-masse adoption of digital solutions in e-health and e-learning have conferred them a wider acceptance (Valokivi et al, 2021). However, such responses are not a panacea, as they fall short of providing tailored solutions to the different needs of rural areas in Europe.…”

“…Virtual reality overcomes the distance problem by enabling the digital training of practical skills on a wide range of industrial equipment (Spilski, Lachmann, Schlittmeier & Makhkamova, 2019). The successful establishment of digital options in the education or health sectors relies on the involvement of new experts and advisors, who can open up access to digital offers to a diverse target public (Valokivi, Carlo, Kvist & Outila, 2021).…”

A Technology-Based Intervention to Support Older Adults in Living Independently: Protocol for a Cross-National Feasibility Pilot

“…Although there is limited understanding of the digital landscape for aging care [ 19 ], several Smart Home technologies (e.g., web platforms, applications, sensors) that support older adults’ quality of life, security, and growing sense of loneliness have been developed in recent years. The success of these technologies still depends on users’ perception of personal privacy [ 20 ], so data security and confidentiality are a priority for the acceptance of a Smart Home system.…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on the extent of social connectedness and the quality of relationships among individuals, and it will probably represent a general rethinking of new methods and (digital) models of care [ 19 ]. Different approaches for the involvement of older people in various activities and reducing social isolation have been proposed in the last two years [ 24 ].…”