scholarly journals User Requirements for Technology to Assist Aging in Place: Qualitative Study of Older People and Their Informal Support Networks

10.2196/10741 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. e10741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phoebe Elers ◽  
Inga Hunter ◽  
Dick Whiddett ◽  
Caroline Lockhart ◽  
Hans Guesgen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Informal Support ◽  
User Requirements

scholarly journals User Requirements for Technology to Assist Aging in Place: Qualitative Study of Older People and Their Informal Support Networks (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phoebe Elers ◽  
Inga Hunter ◽  
Dick Whiddett ◽  
Caroline Lockhart ◽  
Hans Guesgen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Informal Support ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Age In Place

BACKGROUND Informal support is essential for enabling many older people to age in place. However, there is limited research examining the information needs of older adults’ informal support networks and how these could be met through home monitoring and information and communication technologies. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate how technologies that connect older adults to their informal and formal support networks could assist aging in place and enhance older adults’ health and well-being. METHODS Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 older adults and a total of 31 members of their self-identified informal support networks. They were asked questions about their information needs and how technology could support the older adults to age in place. The interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. RESULTS The analysis identified three overarching themes: (1) the social enablers theme, which outlined how timing, informal support networks, and safety concerns assist the older adults’ uptake of technology, (2) the technology concerns theme, which outlined concerns about cost, usability, information security and privacy, and technology superseding face-to-face contact, and (3) the information desired theme, which outlined what information should be collected and transferred and who should make decisions about this. CONCLUSIONS Older adults and their informal support networks may be receptive to technology that monitors older adults within the home if it enables aging in place for longer. However, cost, privacy, security, and usability barriers would need to be considered and the system should be individualizable to older adults’ changing needs. The user requirements identified from this study and described in this paper have informed the development of a technology that is currently being prototyped.

The roles and functions of the informal support networks of older people who receive formal support: a Swedish qualitative study

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANNA DUNÉR ◽  
MONICA NORDSTRÖM
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Informal Support ◽  
Formal Support ◽  
Informal Support Network ◽  
Generational Relationships ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Analytical Tools

Several studies of frail older people have focused on the relationship between formal and informal care, while others have examined the character of inter-generational relationships. Yet knowledge of the significance of the informal-support networks of older people who receive formal care is still scarce. The aim of this paper was to explore how older Swedes who receive formal elder-care experienced their informal support networks. The findings presented emanate from a qualitative case study. The structural, interaction and functional dimensions of the support networks were the main analytical tools. In the study population, the size of the formal support network varied from one to 12 people (or categories of people), and the size of the informal support network varied from one to six people (or categories of people). The main results demonstrate the importance of informal support with reciprocal relationships, and the value of confidants and emotional support, both of which contribute to feelings of belonging, security and wellbeing. A well-functioning formal and informal support network allows individuals to maintain autonomy in old age, even when they have to depend on help from others.

The pattern of support networks among the community dwelling elderly in urban Ireland: variations with mental disorder

2000 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kirby ◽  
Aisling Denihan ◽  
Irene Bruce ◽  
Davis Coakley ◽  
Brian A Lawlor
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Informal Support ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Family And Community Involvement

AbstractObjectives: The changing family and social patterns in modern society are likely to influence the availability of informal support for older people. The aims of this study were to determine the support network distribution of a community dwelling elderly population in Dublin, and of those with mental disorders (dementia, depression and anxiety).Methods: Interviews with 1,001 community dwelling older people using GMS-AGECAT. In addition, a support network assessment instrument was administered, which identifies five different support network types. The local integrated and wider community focused networks are characterised by extensive community involvement, family dependent networks by close family support, and the local self contained and private restricted networks by low levels of family and community involvement.Results: Of the elderly population, 83% had support networks characterised by close community and/or family involvement. Subjects with cognitive impairment had lower levels of informal support from the community, as indicated by a lower proportion of local integrated (44% v 63%) and a higher proportion of private restricted (6% v 12%) networks. Late life depression was also associated with decreased levels of community integration.Conclusions: The elderly in Dublin appear to have high levels of informal support. The extensive support may be a factor in the lower rates of depression found in Dublin than in London and New York. While the overall level of informal support available to older people with mental disorders in the community remains high, a proportion have low levels of family and community involvement and consequently their mental health problems may go unrecognised.

scholarly journals Telehealth at Home: Co-Designing a Smart Home Telehealth System

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inga Hunter ◽  
Phoebe Elers ◽  
Caroline Lockhart ◽  
Hans Guesgen ◽  
Dick Whiddett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Smart Home ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Home Telehealth ◽  
Pilot Implementation ◽  
At Home

Increasing life expectancy and rates of chronic conditions place increasing demands on aged care health and support services. One response preferred by older adults and seen as cost effective is aging in place, whereby older people remain in their own homes and avoid aged residential care. For this to take place, it is crucial that older people maintain effective relationships with support networks and that older adults and these networks have adequate information to support patient centred health and wellness care at home. This study explored how smart home telehealth, a form of telehealth where health care is provided at a distance using smart home digital technology (sensors), could assist older people to age in place and enhance their health and wellbeing. It was a two-phase project, preceded by a workshop with experts:1) 41 interviews with older adults and their informal support networks, seven focus groups with 44 health providers working with older adults, which informed 2) a pilot implementation of a co-designed telehealth system, addressing key barriers identified in Phase 1. The system used low cost, easily accessible, and commercially available sensors, transferring information via email and/or text messaging. It was successfully piloted with five older adults and twelve of their respective support networks for six months, who reported an increased feeling of security and improved interpersonal communication. The findings indicate that smart home telehealth could assist aging in place, and the study provides insights into successful co-design of smart home telehealth services at scale that could be implemented and deployed in contexts wider than aged care.

scholarly journals Understanding factors influencing vulnerable older people keeping warm and well in winter: a qualitative study using social marketing techniques

BMJ Open ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. e000922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Mary Tod ◽  
Adelaide Lusambili ◽  
Catherine Homer ◽  
Joanne Abbott ◽  
Joanne Mary Cooke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Factors Influencing

Family Members As Case Managers: Partnership Between the Formal and Informal Support Networks

1987 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 722-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Seltzer ◽  
J. Ivry ◽  
L. C. Litchfield
Keyword(s):  
Family Members ◽  
Case Managers ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Informal Support

Social support networks of users of crack cocaine and the role of a Brazilian health program for people living on the street: A qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Duarte Silva ◽  
Stephen Strobbe ◽  
Jaqueline Lemos de Oliveira ◽  
Letícia Yamawaka de Almeida ◽  
Mario Cardano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Crack Cocaine ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Social Support Networks
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