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Digital Health and Non Communicable Diseases
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There’s a rapid rise in the ageing population, with estimates that by 2050 over 1.5 billion people will be aged 65 worldwide. The physical and social settings of older people's daily lives, such as their homes, neighbourhoods, and communities, as well as their personal traits, such as gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, are primarily linked to their health (Facchinetti et al., 2023).
Innovative technologies can help older adults - disabled or not - by allowing them to live independently in their surroundings and keeping an eye on their safety and health. This lessens the heavy care load for family and/or professional carers. The digital landscape for ageing care is not widely understood. In recent years, a number of Smart Home technologies (such as web platforms, applications, and sensors) have been developed to support the security, quality of life, and growing sense of loneliness experienced by older adults (Stara et al., 2022).
Furthermore, it has been shown that telemedicine and e-Health services are crucial for supporting care for senior citizens and family carers. People with early stages of cognitive impairment, for instance, have benefited from electronic reminders, daily activities, cognitive stimulation therapy, and games made possible by Internet-based technology (Stara et al., 2022).
Kindly share your views on the different home support technologies that are available to support the elderly population.
References:
1. Facchinetti, G., Petrucci, G., Albanesi, B., Grazia, M., & Michela Piredda. (2023). Can Smart Home Technologies Help Older Adults Manage Their Chronic Condition? A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2), 1205–1205. //doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021205
2. Stara, V., Rampioni, M., Adrian Alexandru Moșoi, Kristaly, D. M., Moraru, S.-A., Paciaroni, L., Paolini, S., Raccichini, A., Felici, E., Rossi, L., Cristian Vizitiu, Alexandru Nistorescu, Marin, M., Tónay, G., András Tóth, Tamás Pilissy, & Fazekas, G. (2022). A Technology-Based Intervention to Support Older Adults in Living Independently: Protocol for a Cross-National Feasibility Pilot. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(24), 16604–16604. //doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416604.
Posted : February 21, 2024 6:04 pm
Implementing Smart Home Technology (SHT) has proven to be a valuable support system for older individuals in managing their day-to-day activities, especially those tasks that may pose challenges due to mobility issues or disability, such as gardening and cleaning. This integration of technology not only addresses the practical aspects of daily living but also significantly enhances overall life satisfaction among older adults.
The adoption of SHT has demonstrated notable improvements in quality of life by fostering a safer living environment. Personal alarms, sensor lights, and remote-controlled lighting systems play a pivotal role in this regard. These technologies, known for their affordability, offer a practical and efficient means to enhance the sense of security within the home. Older individuals, who may face concerns about safety and security, find these features particularly reassuring, contributing to an increased peace of mind and an improved overall living experience.
Furthermore, the convenience and accessibility provided by SHT in performing daily activities contribute to a sense of empowerment for older individuals. The ability to control aspects of their living environment remotely, whether it be adjusting lighting or activating security features, not only facilitates independence but also minimizes the challenges associated with physical limitations.
The implementation of Smart Home Technology emerges as a transformative solution that goes beyond mere convenience. By addressing the specific needs of older individuals, particularly in the context of mobility issues or disability, and enhancing the safety and security of their living spaces, SHT becomes a valuable tool in promoting a more satisfying and fulfilling life for the aging population.
Reference:
Aggar, C., Sorwar, G., Seton, C., Penman, O., & Ward, A. (2023). Smart home technology to support older people's quality of life: A longitudinal pilot study. International journal of older people nursing, 18(1), e12489. //doi.org/10.1111/opn.12489
Posted : February 22, 2024 1:10 pm
The World Health Assembly adopted the Digital Health Resolution, recognizing the potential of digital technologies to help health systems by improving the accountability, availability, accessibility, continuity, usage, and effectiveness of health care. The World Health Organization (WHO) further divided digital health interventions based on four types of users, 28 categories, and 87 sub-categories of digital health interventions cover various areas of health systems with a particular focus on health service delivery.
Digital health technologies enable real-time monitoring of vital signs and disease parameters, allowing healthcare providers to detect early signs of deterioration and intervene promptly. By facilitating remote monitoring and virtual consultations, digital health technologies reduce healthcare utilization, hospital readmissions, and overall healthcare expenditure.
Digital Health Intervention for NCDs: Remote Monitoring and Telemedicine
It allow healthcare providers to remotely track vital signs, medication adherence, and disease progression in elderly patients with NCDs.
Greenwood et al. (2018) found that telemonitoring interventions for patients with heart failure reduced hospital readmissions and mortality rates, demonstrating the efficacy of remote monitoring in managing chronic cardiovascular conditions.
Dario et al. (2019) revealed that telemedicine interventions led to better glycemic control, improved blood pressure management, and increased treatment adherence in elderly patients with diabetes and hypertension.
Telemedicine platforms facilitate virtual consultations, remote diagnosis, and real-time communication between patients and healthcare professionals, eliminating the need for frequent hospital visits.
Tricco et al. (2021) highlighted the feasibility and patient satisfaction with telemedicine consultations for cancer follow-up, indicating its potential to enhance access to care and minimize healthcare disparities.
References:
Health, D. (2018). Classification of digital health interventions v1.0. Who.int; World Health Organization. //www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-RHR-18.06
Tricco AC, Soobiah C, Blondal E, et al. (2021). The Impact of Telemedicine on Cancer Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(6), e23703.
Dario, C., Del Valle, P., Piscitelli, P., Giordano, S., Cardenas, V., & Cavallo, F. (2019). Telemedicine for diabetes management during COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Healthcare Engineering, 2021, 6675542.
Greenwood, S. A., Castle, N. G., & Harris, A. D. (2018). The impact of telemonitoring on adherence to medications in patients with chronic heart failure: A systematic review. Telemedicine and e-Health, 24(3), 157–164.
Posted : March 2, 2024 12:17 pm
Older adults increasingly want to age in their homes, and virtual care technologies, like telehealth and wearables, are crucial to enabling this.Telehealth, healthcare wearables, and MHealth applications are some categories that fall under virtual care technologies.Telehealth encompasses various technology-based strategies for connecting patients and healthcare providers. These connections can be synchronous, occurring in real time through audio-visual or audio-only means, or asynchronous, with patients providing information or photos to their provider, who reviews them and responds at a later time.
Thus, telehealth enables older adults to access healthcare without leaving their homes, organizing transportation, and navigating unfamiliar spaces. The risk of seniors contracting illnesses in a medical clinic is also lower with telehealth use.Healthcare-focused wearables have four main functions: monitoring, screening, detection, and prediction. These functions can support seniors remaining in their homes by helping them, their caregivers, and clinical care teams keep track of their health and well-being.These non-invasive chemical sensors are designed to capture molecular data from the human body in real time. These sensors track the changing chemical composition of various biofluids, such as sweat, tears, saliva, and interstitial fluid, and blood sugar levels in diabetes patients, like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).mHealth applications can support aging in place in several ways, including by promoting healthy behaviors, offering mental health and wellbeing services, and alleviating loneliness. Enabling older adults to access these benefits from their smartphones, tablets, or computers in their homes helps them continue living independently.
Assistive technology and devices are of help whether it be someone living with dementia to remember certain things, a stroke survivor to communicate, a visually impaired person to access the internet, or even just a healthy older person to help secure their home.Health can be improved with medication reminders, pill dispensers, and telehealth systems. Independence and comfort might be focused on with virtual assistants, visual and communication aids, and memory aids. Assistive technology can also be used for home safety and security – smart smoke alarms and doorbells, automated lighting and water-overflow devices (A Complete Guide to Assistive Technology for the Elderly. (n.d.). Age Space. //www.agespace.org/tech/assistive-technology)
Ref: //www.agespace.org/tech/assistive-technology " target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Complete Guide to Assistive Technology for the Elderly. (n.d.). Age Space. //www.agespace.org/tech/assistive-technology
Posted : June 11, 2024 2:47 pm
The aging population is driving changes in healthcare, particularly in the realm of home-based long-term care, which requires intricate communication with primary care services. Digital health advancements have the potential to enhance access to primary care at home. However, the continuity of health care in the home environment represents a challenge for PHC professionals, as it requires their integration through efficient communication between home services and those provided at the health center. In this way, to overcome this distance, digital health has been adopted as a solution [1]. The use of digital health services (e.g., mHealth) has been presented as a solution for improving the quality and coverage of services, especially in long-term care follow-up [2]. Various technologies (sensors, apps, and chatbots with artificial intelligence, among others) can be used in the prevention of falls in older people [3, 4] to increase the independence and well-being of people with dementia [5] and improve the physical and mental health status of patients [6].
However, although the use of these technologies can strengthen health systems and provide support to patients at home, it can also widen inequalities in access to health care. This is because low-and middle-income countries face financial, geographical, and human resource obstacles in implementing these technologies, as well as challenges related to governance, infrastructure, literacy, and democratization of access. In addition to the challenges associated with the implementation of digital health, in underdeveloped and developing countries, health systems also have to address the barriers to accessing health care for older adults, weak or unstructured public health, lack of gerontological knowledge, and ageism. Ageism can affect the use, adoption, and design of technological products and services. The design decisions of digital health strategies often include generalizations that portray older adults as vulnerable and as having lower technological capabilities. The implementation of technologies in a disorderly manner can generate ethical problems related to the data security, privacy, and individuality of the subjects. Emphasizing the problems that public health was already facing, the COVID-19 pandemic put further pressure on health systems around the world (e.g., many seniors were left without health care) and accelerated the insertion of digital technologies in health care. To control the spread of COVID-19, most countries have adopted home isolation and quarantine measures. In this scenario, the complications of COVID-19 were more worrying in older patients, which encouraged the implementation of digital health interventions to assist in long-term care and monitoring of chronic diseases at home. Monitoring the quality of technology-mediated primary health care at home is relevant, especially at present, when the world is experiencing the end of the COVID-19 global health emergency, the decade of healthy aging, during which the power of digital technologies and health innovation can be harnessed to accelerate the global achievement of health and well-being [7].
References:
1. Dinakrisma AA, Laksmi PW, Abdiel T, Fernandez JP, Indahwati N, Susanto AP, et al. The role of digital mobile technology in elderly health management among health care workers in Indonesia: Analysis of knowledge, attitudes, and practice. Digit Health. 2022;8:20552076221102772. //doi.org/10.1177/20552076221102771.
2. Maia JS, Marin H de F. Aplicativos móveis para as sociedades menos favorecidas. Acta paul enferm. 2021;34:eAPE002214. //doi.org/10.37689/acta-ape/2021AR02214.
3. Khanuja K, Joki J, Bachmann G, Cuccurullo S. Gait and balance in the aging population: Fall prevention using innovation and technology. Maturitas. 2018;110:51–6. //doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2018.01.021.
4. Gaspar AGM, Lapão LV. A digital health service for elderly people with balance disorders and risk of falling: a design science approach. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(3). //doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031855.
5. Koo BM, Vizer LM. Examining mobile technologies to support older adults with dementia through the lens of personhood and human needs: scoping review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2019;7(11):e15122. //doi.org/10.2196/15122.
6. Rathbone AL, Prescott J. The use of mobile apps and SMS messaging as physical and mental health interventions: systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 2017;19(8):e295. //doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7740.
7. Silva, Silva, Silva, et al. Digital home care interventions and quality of primary care for older adults: a scoping review. BMC geriatrics. 2024;24(1). doi: //doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05120-z
This post was modified 2 years ago by shravani.R
Posted : June 15, 2024 2:46 pm