Quality of Life Framework for Personalised Ageing: A Systematic Review of ICT Solutions

Abstract

Given the growing number of older people, society as a whole should ideally provide a higher quality of life (QoL) for its ageing citizens through the concept of personalised ageing. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are subject to constant and rapid development, and can contribute to the goal of an improved QoL for older adults. In order to utilise future ICT solutions as a part of an age-friendly smart environment that helps achieve personalised ageing with an increased QoL, one must first determine whether the existing ICT solutions are satisfying the needs of older people. In order to accomplish that, this study contributes in three ways. First, it proposes a framework for the QoL of older adults, in order to provide a systematic review of the state-of-the-art literature and patents in this field. The second contribution is the finding that selected ICT solutions covered by articles and patents are intended for older adults and are validated by them. The third contribution of the study are the six recommendations that are derived from the review of the literature and the patents which would help move the agenda concerning the QoL of older people and personalised ageing with the use of ICT solutions forward.

Social Participation in Relation to Technology Use and Social Deprivation: A Mixed Methods Study Among Older People with and without Dementia

“…Research based on how older people perceive social participation in a digitalized society found that digital technologies may be perceived as influencing social opportunities, access to services, and a sense of security; however, this research did not include people with dementia [13]. In order to develop technologies that are assistive for older people with and without dementia, it is important to gain further insights into how existing technologies that the older person already uses are assistive or inhibitive to their participation in the activities and places in public space, which they need and in which they wish to participate [14,15]. There are knowledge gaps about how the Everyday Technology (ET) that older people, with and without dementia, already use in their activities of daily living relates to their social participation.…”

How Older People Experience the Age-Friendliness of Their City: Development of the Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire

“…The same can be said for the questions on technology, which correlated with other existing domains, and most questions ( n = 5) were excluded in the qualitative initial validation rounds. The experts consulted in this study may not have recognized the importance of technology as an integral part of age-friendliness [ 8 , 57 , 58 ] yet. This may change in the future.…”

A Shortage in the Number of Nurses—A Case Study from a Selected Region in the Czech Republic and International Context

“…Namely, Aslan, et al [ 43 ] reported that nurses have a great work load, but they do not prioritize patient care, instead they spend time rather with treatment and registration. If ICT solutions are used in general for the improvement of quality of life of population [ 44 ], then they can help in conducting the tasks that nurses do, e.g., simplify the procedures, automate the paperwork, or even take care of certain patients. For example, Chang, et al reports that nursing home staff prefer robot assistance who fit into their working process [ 40 ].…”