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Disparity informatics
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Disability Informatics is an emerging field that leverages information technology to enhance the quality of life of elderly people, especially those with disabilities. It is an interdisciplinary approach that integrates healthcare, information technology, and social sciences to develop innovative solutions for elderly care (1).
Assistive technologies such as wearable devices and telehealth systems help older adults to maintain or improve their independence and functionality. These technologies support daily activities, health monitoring, and enable communication with healthcare providers (2).
The field uses big data analytics to develop individualized care plans. By analyzing patterns in health records, wearable device data, and environmental sensors, healthcare providers can tailor interventions to the needs of their patients (3).
Technologies such as fall detection systems and emergency response devices enhance the safety and security of elderly individuals living independently. These tools help prevent accidents and ensure timely assistance in case of emergencies (1).
Disability informatics addresses the mental health problems of elderly people through virtual and augmented reality applications, providing social inclusion. The studies show that immersive technologies can indeed combat loneliness and cognitive decline as the elderly can participate in virtual social activities and reminiscence therapy. Moreover, telehealth platforms provide regular communication with caregivers and family members, reducing the feeling of isolation (4).
Despite the apparent benefits, there are several barriers to the widespread adoption of these technologies, including costs, usability, and willingness to change (1). By addressing accessibility, monitoring health, and supporting mental well-being, it offers a comprehensive framework for enhancing the quality of life for elderly individuals with disabilities.
References:
- Pilotto, A., Boi, R., & Petermans, J. (2018). Technology in geriatrics. Age and Ageing, 47(6), 771–774. //doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy026
- Bertolazzi, A., Quaglia, V., & Bongelli, R. (2024). Barriers and facilitators to health technology adoption by older adults with chronic diseases: an integrative systematic review. BMC Public Health, 24(1). //doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18036-5
- Brown, T., & Smith, A. (2022). Big data in geriatric care: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Geriatric Informatics, 15(1), 12-20.
- Jones, M. L., Kramer, D. B., & Hill, M. (2019). Virtual reality interventions for elderly mental health. Aging & Mental Health, 23(9), 1083-1095.
Posted : December 15, 2024 1:33 am
SharonMary@13 reacted
Disability Informatics involves the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance and support the quality of life and independence of persons with disabilities mainly elderly people. It can provide them with tools to maintain their independence. For example, assistive technologies such as smart home systems, wearable devices, and telehealth services can help manage daily activities and monitor health conditions remotely. This can reduce the need for constant caregiver presence, allowing elderly individuals to live more independently. For the elderly, especially those with mobility issues this technology increases healthcare access. Remote consultations, reduce the need for physical visits to healthcare by Telemedicine and e-health platforms facilities. It is beneficial for elderly individuals living in rural or underserved areas. Continuous monitoring and management are required for many elderly individuals as they suffer from chronic conditions. Health monitoring apps and wearable sensors can track vital signs and alert healthcare providers through Disability Informatics tools. Complications and health outcomes can be improved by this proactive approach.
Disability Informatics can help lower healthcare costs by enabling remote monitoring and reducing hospital visits. This is crucial in managing the financial burden on both the healthcare system and the elderly population. ICT solutions, such as social networking platforms and virtual communities, can help elderly individuals stay connected with family and friends, reducing feelings of loneliness and improving mental health since Social isolation is a significant issue among the elderly population nowadays. It also supports caregivers by providing them with tools to monitor and manage the health of elderly individuals more effectively thus reducing caregiver stress and improving the overall caregiving experience.
In conclusion, to enhance the quality of life, healthcare access, and independence of elderly individuals, Disability Informatics plays a crucial role. We can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for the ageing population by leveraging these technologies. (Wilson et al., 2021)(Bertolazzi et al., 2024a)(Disability and Health Information for Healthcare Providers, 2024)
Wilson, J., Heinsch, M., Betts, D., Booth, D., & Kay-Lambkin, F. (2021). Barriers and facilitators to the use of e-health by older adults: a scoping review. BMC Public Health, 21(1). //doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11623-w
Bertolazzi, A., Quaglia, V., & Bongelli, R. (2024a). Barriers and facilitators to health technology adoption by older adults with chronic diseases: an integrative systematic review. BMC Public Health, 24(1). //doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18036-5
Disability and health information for healthcare providers. (2024, December 16). Disability and Health. //www.cdc.gov/disability-and-health/about/disability-and-health-information-for-healthcare-providers.html
This post was modified 2 years ago by dellabijo
Posted : December 19, 2024 11:15 am
Disability Informatics can play a major role in addressing the symptoms of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, multifactorial, chronic, neurodegenerative disease with high prevalence and limited therapeutic options, making it a global health crisis. It usually affects people over the age of 65. Being the most common cause of dementia, AD erodes the cognitive, functional, and social abilities of the individual and causes escalating medical and psychosocial needs. Digital therapeutics (Dtx) is one such novel therapy that is gaining popularity globally. Dtx provides evidence based therapeutic interventions driven by internet and software, employing tools such as mobile devices, computers, videogames, apps, sensors, virtual reality aiding in the prevention, management, and treatment of ailments like neurological abnormalities and chronic diseases. Dtx uses visual, sound and other non-invasive approaches for instance-consistent therapy, reminiscence therapy, computerised cognitive training, semantic and phonological assistance devices, wearables and computer-assisted rehabilitation environment to find applications in Alzheimer's disease for improving memory, cognition, functional abilities and managing motor symptom. A few of the Dtx-based tools employed in AD include "Memory Matters", "AlzSense", "Alzheimer Assistant", "smart robotic dog", "Immersive virtual reality (iVR)" and the most current gamma stimulation.
Ref- Namish Manchanda, Akanksha Aggarwal, Sonal Setya, Sushama Talegaonkar. Digital Intervention For The Management Of Alzheimer's Disease.Curr Alzheimer Res. 2023 Feb 6. doi: 10.2174/1567205020666230206124155.
Link : //pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36744687/
Posted : December 27, 2024 11:49 pm
Disability informatics involves the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) to collect, analyze, and utilize data related to disabilities. It encompasses the development of assistive technologies, data management systems, and analytical tools designed to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, particularly the elderly. A significant advancement in disability informatics is the integration of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices with artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor and support the elderly. Some papers discuss how optimized IoT and AI integration and advanced neural networks can enhance human activity recognition (HAR) for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. This technology enables continuous monitoring of daily activities, facilitating early detection of anomalies that may indicate health issues, thereby promoting timely interventions (Deeptha et al., 2024).
Assistive technologies play a crucial role in enabling older adults to maintain independence. A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (2024) highlights the evolution of such technologies, emphasizing their potential to support independent living among the elderly. The research underscores the importance of user-centered design and the integration of smart home technologies to create environments that adapt to the needs of older adults, enhancing safety and autonomy (Sweeting et al., 2024). The adoption of technology in long-term care settings has been explored to improve the quality of life for seniors with neurocognitive disorders. A scoping review on the topic: identifying various technologies that assist in cognitive stimulation, social interaction, and daily living activities suggests that technology can mitigate some challenges associated with neurocognitive disorders, although considerations regarding accessibility and user-friendliness remain paramount (Hardy, Fanaki, & Savoie, 2024).
The application of Health Information Technology (HIT) in emergency departments (EDs) has been conceptualized to enhance elderly care. A model illustrating how HIT can streamline processes in geriatric EDs, improving patient outcomes was developed which includes systems like electronic health records (EHRs), clinical decision support systems (CDSS), and telemedicine, which collectively contribute to more efficient and effective care for elderly patients in emergency settings (Shagerdi et al., 2024). Integrating AI in care homes represents a practical application of disability informatics. An article in The Times (2024) describes how AI technologies, such as infrared and acoustic monitors, detect unusual movements and alert staff to potential health issues among residents. These systems, including apps like PainChek that assess pain levels in non-verbal patients, enhance the safety and well-being of elderly residents, demonstrating the real-world benefits of disability informatics in care settings.
While the advancements in disability informatics offer significant benefits, several challenges must be addressed. For instance, (I) technologies must be designed with the end-user in mind, ensuring they are accessible and user-friendly for the elderly population, (II) The collection and utilization of personal health data necessitate stringent measures to protect privacy and prevent unauthorized access, (III) The deployment of AI and monitoring technologies raises ethical questions regarding autonomy, consent, and the potential reduction of human interaction in care settings, and (IV) Disparities in access to technology can exacerbate existing inequalities, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged elderly populations.
Disability informatics holds significant promise in enhancing elderly care by leveraging technology to address the unique challenges faced by this population. The integration of AI, IoT, and assistive technologies can improve monitoring, support independent living, and streamline healthcare delivery. However, it is imperative to address the associated challenges to fully realize the potential of disability informatics in promoting the well-being of the elderly.
References:
Deeptha, R., Ramkumar, K., Venkateswaran, S., Hassan, M. M., Hassan, Md. R., Noori, F. M., & Uddin, Md. Z. (2024). Enhancing human activity recognition for the elderly and individuals with disabilities through optimized Internet-of-Things and artificial intelligence integration with advanced neural networks. Frontiers in Neuroinformatics, 18. //doi.org/10.3389/fninf.2024.1454583
Hardy, M.-S., Fanaki, C., & Savoie, C. (2024). The use of technology by seniors with neurocognitive disorders in long-term care: a scoping review. BMC Geriatrics, 24(1). //doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05174-z
Shagerdi, G., Ayatollahi, H., Hemmat, M., & Zeraatkar, K. (2024). The application of health information technology for the elderly care in the emergency department: a conceptual model. BMC Geriatrics, 24(1). //doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05212-w
Taylor, R. (2024, November 22). Inside the AI care home: the smart tech making old people safer. Thetimes.com; The Sunday Times. //www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/inside-the-ai-care-home-the-end-of-the-human-touch-3l0w083sx?region=global
Sweeting, A., Warncken, K. A., & Patel, M. (2024). The Role of Assistive Technology in Enabling Older Adults to Achieve Independent Living: Past and Future. (Preprint). Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, e58846–e58846. //doi.org/10.2196/58846
Posted : December 30, 2024 10:19 am
The likelihood of experiencing disabilities increases as the individual ages, which impacts their physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. To help them live independently, Disability informatics has made an impact by focusing on disability community among elderly individuals.
‘Internet of Things’ are the devices which monitor the heart rate, activity levels via apps which improves self-awareness. The app Daily Healthcare 2.0 was developed, incorporating wearable devices for collecting PGHD (patient generated health data) and connecting individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and health care professionals. (1) This app showed an increase in eHealth literacy. Adapting public infrastructure for disabled individuals is challenging. A promising solution is the use of portable health monitoring devices that track activities and facilitate communication with the outside world. Informatics are useful to caregivers and disabled persons to coordinate their schedules and activities.
Disability informatics is essential to aged care because it provides solutions that bridge the gap between healthcare professionals and patients, allowing older people to live more comfortably while also enhancing their interactions with caregivers and the healthcare system
References
Ha, S., Ho, S. H., Bae, Y., Lee, M., Kim, J. H., Kim, J. H., & Lee, J. (2023). Digital health equity and tailored health care service for people with disability: User-centered design and usability study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, e50029. //doi.org/10.2196/50029 (1)
Posted : December 31, 2024 10:18 am
SharonMary@13 reacted
Disability informatics apply advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance the quality of life for the elderly, particularly in aging-in-place scenarios. IoT systems, including integrated smart homes (ISHS), use interconnected sensors and devices to monitor health, detect emergencies (e.g., falls), and manage environmental factors like air quality and energy consumption. These systems aim to ensure safety, improve healthcare access, and promote independent living.
Initially, many elderly participants showed reluctance toward adopting ISHS, citing concerns about usability complexity, interruptions to daily routines, and privacy invasions. For example, wearable sensors caused discomfort during activities like bathing, while non-wearable devices, such as indoor air quality sensors, were inconveniently placed. Privacy concerns also arose about data collection and sharing.
However, participants began to appreciate its benefits through guided education and hands-on experience with the technology. Features like fall detection, real-time health monitoring, and energy efficiency gained their approval, as they realized these tools could support their independence while ensuring their safety. By the end of the study, most participants viewed the ISHS positively and expressed a willingness to adopt such systems, provided the designs were tailored to their comfort and ease of use.
Hence, such technologies' continued advancement and refinement hold immense potential for elderly care. Focusing on user-friendly designs that prioritize the comfort and preferences of elderly users while addressing their concerns can significantly improve adoption rates and contribute to a safer, more independent, and higher-quality living experience for this population.
References:
Jo, T. H., Ma, J. H., & Cha, S. H. (2021). Elderly Perception on the Internet of Things-Based Integrated Smart-Home System. Sensors, 21(4), 1284–1284. //doi.org/10.3390/s21041284
Posted : January 9, 2025 2:55 pm
princitarodrigues reacted