Elders Willing to Use New Technologies

Hindu.com

March 30, 2008

India

Older adults want to use technology so they can age safely in their home and family caregivers agree, saying that it can ease some of the challenges they face, according to two new studies. 

But concerns such as cost of installing and maintaining equipment remain barriers for older people and for caregivers to use the available technology tool, it said. 

The reports, one from AARP and the other by the Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) were released recently and assume importance as baby boomer generation ages. 

The AARP Foundation, which helps people above the age of 50, commissioned the report which examined the attitudes of people 65-plus and caregivers towards technology and found that both groups are concerned about costs. 

The reports identified a willingness on the part of the older people to try technology like home security services, sensors to detect falls and devices to regulate temperature, lights and appliances. 

But cost remains a deterrent with seventy-five per cent of caregivers and eighty per cent of those 65-plus willing to pay USD 50 or less per month for the service. 

"The ground is fertile for the use of caregiving technology to flourish," said Elinor Ginzler, AARP Sr Vice President for Livable Communities. 

"Almost nine in ten older Americans want to be able to stay in their own homes and they are willing to use technology that can help them do that. 

Cost, however, is the elephant in the room--how to pay remains a big obstacle," Ginzler said. 

There is also a conflicting perspective between caregivers and those likely to need care. 

People 65-plus report a high willingness to use technology, but majority of caregivers believe they would have some, or a great deal of difficulty convincing those they care for to adopt technology. 

They believe technology would make them feel safer, give them more personal satisfaction and provide peace of mind for families and friends. 

The CAST study lays out the categories of technologies that exist to ease the burden of caregiving for informal and paid caregivers. 

These include: 
-- Sensors can detect and notify a caregiver if a person being cared for does not get out of his chair or turn off the stove. 

-- Health technologies can monitor blood pressure, respiration and other conditions in real time while the person is at home, reducing the need for doctor's visits and notifying caregivers immediately of significant changes. 

-- Medication dispensers provide the appropriate medicines at the appropriate time and remind a person being cared for to take them. 

-- Computer games provide social networking, brain stimulation and even monitoring of cognitive abilities through the use of diagnostic games. 

"Our study shows that we can create a network of technology-driven services to help elders stay at home and achieve better outcomes," said Majd Alwan, director of CAST.

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