scholarly journals Assistive technology to monitor activity, health and wellbeing in old age: The wrist wearable unit in the USEFIL project

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1,2) ◽  
pp. 17-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Ahanathapillai ◽  
J.D. Amor ◽  
C.J. James
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Wearable Unit

Virtual and Augmented Reality Awareness Tools for Universal Design

2022 ◽  
pp. 11-24
Author(s):  
Luis Pinto Coelho ◽  
Idalina Freitas ◽  
Dorota Urszula Kaminska ◽  
Ricardo Queirós ◽  
Anna Laska-Lesniewicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Personal Knowledge ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Virtual And Augmented Reality ◽  
Closing The Gap

This chapter will be focused on contributing to the increase of universal design competencies of future engineers, educators, and designers through the use of mixed reality technologies, closing the gap between theory and field application of principles, towards a more inclusive world and promoting health and wellbeing for all. The experience of a situation where limitations arise in relation to what is taken for granted is an important experience that leads to a personal knowledge of the difficulties. By the use of simulators, especially virtual (VR) and mixed reality (MR) technologies, it is possible to create such experiences. Training based on MR can prepare future and current professionals for up-to-date requirements of the labor market. In addition, it can ensure that the standards such as barrier-free concepts, broader accessibility, adaptive and assistive technology will be familiar to trainees.

Psychiatry of Old Age

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Wadlow
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
General Medicine ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Psychiatric Disease ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Unique Challenge ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Psychiatric Theory

This chapter of practice exam questions aims to put you, albeit briefly, in the seat of an old age psychiatrist dealing with important aspects of psychiatric disease in older adults. Our population is ageing and this, in addition to wider public understanding and earlier diagnoses of dementia, is leading to an increasing burden of disease. Furthermore it is acknowledged that the incidence of affective and psychotic disorders unexpectedly peaks again as we reach old age and can be devastating if not recognized and managed effectively. The unique challenge of psychiatry of old age is the need for a sound grasp of general medicine and neurology to tackle unusual presentations of illness and possible multiple co-morbidities, in addition to a ground­ing in psychiatric theory. There remains a great need for lateral think­ing, particularly in liaison work on the medical and surgical wards where delirium is rife and can masquerade as everything psychiatric. Within the specialty, true collaboration exists as allied health professionals and psy­chiatrists work together at problem solving to improve patients’ quality of life beyond simply offering medication. An understanding of the pathology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treat­ment of mental illness and dementia in older adults is an essential skill for any doctor at the coalface. Working with older adults is incredibly rewarding and never stops being educational to the clinician. These patients and their carers will continue to challenge and impress you throughout your career. As you manage to feel more confident with the facts, the practicalities and benefits of talking to and helping older adults become clearer. There is nothing that surpasses learning on the job, with many opportunities through attachments in psychiatry, GPs, ED, and geriatric wards. There are excellent resources available with regard to dementia, including NICE guidelines and the Alzheimer’s Society website. The aim of the following questions is to touch on a range of areas throughout the subject, taking us from first principles to practical applica­tion, through effective management, and support of older adults’ mental health and wellbeing.

Home, hearth and table: a centennial review of the nutritional circumstances of older people living alone

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
PHIL LYON ◽  
ANNE COLQUHOUN
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Independent Life ◽  
State Pension ◽  
Independent Elderly ◽  
The Welfare State

Survey evidence on the living conditions of older people has a long and creditable history in Britain. Booth's work alerted policy makers to the often dire circumstances of older people, and accounts of their housing, diet, domestic arrangements and general quality of life stiffened resolve to ensure an adequate minimum standard of living in old age. At the start of what has been termed the welfare state, there were two important studies of old age in the works of Rowntree and Sheldon. In their depiction of the lives of independent elderly people, they provided a useful mid-century benchmark on progress.The question of income and support infrastructure recurs over the decades and, in many ways, these concerns are central to the question of adequate diets with implications for health and wellbeing. The possibility, or otherwise, of being able to afford, buy and prepare food which is of appropriate nutritional and social quality, is fundamental to an independent life in old age. Using food as a focus for review, this article maps what has been said about the circumstances of independent elderly people and what has been done to support them in the community. It is concluded that while considerable progress has been made over the century, their relative position remains problematic. This is especially the case for those living on their own in old age and with a reliance on the basic state pension.

In Conversation… Professor Tamsin Ford

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Adolescent Psychiatry ◽  
Research Group ◽  
Child And Adolescent Psychiatry ◽  
Child Psychiatrist ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The University

Tamsin Ford is a Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Exeter Medical School. While Tamsin set out on her career path aiming to become an old age psychiatrist working as a clinician, she ended up as a child psychiatrist working in research. Discover more about Tamsin's career and her research group assessing the effectiveness of services and interventions which aim to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

scholarly journals Digital personal assistants are smart ways for assistive technology to aid the health and wellbeing of patients and carers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gayathri Victoria Balasubramanian ◽  
Paul Beaney ◽  
Ruth Chambers
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Service Redesign ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Digital health solutions such as assistive technologies create significant opportunities to optimise the effectiveness of both health and social care delivery. Assistive technologies include ‘low-tech’ items, such as memory aids and digital calendars or ‘high-tech’ items, like health tracking devices and wearables. Depending on the type of assistive devices, they can be used to improve quality of life, effect lifestyle improvements and increase levels of independence. Acceptance of technology among patients and carers depends on various factors such as perceived skills and competencies in using the device, expectations, trust and reliability. This service evaluation explored the impact of a pilot service redesign focused on improving health and wellbeing by the use of a voice-activated device ‘smart speaker’, Alexa Echo Show 8. Methods A service evaluation/market research was conducted for a pilot service redesign programme. Data were collected via a survey in person or telephone and from two focus groups of patients (n = 44) and informal carers (n = 7). The age of the study participants ranged from 50 to 90 years. Also, the participants belonged to two types of cohort: one specifically focused on diabetes and the other on a range of long-term health conditions such as multiple sclerosis, dementia, depression and others. Results The device had a positive impact on the health and social well-being of the users; many direct and indirect benefits were identified. Both patients and carers had positive attitudes towards using the device. Self-reported benefits included: reminders for medications and appointments improved adherence and disease control; increased independence and productivity; and for those living alone, the device helped combat their loneliness and low mood. Conclusion The findings from the study help to realise the potential of assistive technology for empowering supporting health/social care. Especially, the season of COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for remote management of health, the use of assistive technology could have a pivotal role to play with the sustainability of health/social care provision by promoting shared care between the care provider and service user. Further evaluation can explore the key drivers and barriers for implementing assistive technologies, especially in people who are ageing and with long-term health conditions.

The benefits of exercise for the health of older people

2000 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Joan Bassey
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Active Lifestyles

Active lifestyles are associated with better health and lower rates of mortality from all causes. Increasing activity levels also have positive effects on many of the risk factors for developing chronic disease and on mortality rates (see Figure 1). Evidence to support these claims, at least for middle-aged men, has accumulated steadily over the last 20 years. This review presents evidence that physical activity can contribute to health and wellbeing in old age.

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