Tech-Enabled Aging in the Right Place Will Only Succeed by Harmonizing Innovation With the Provision of Person-Centred Care

Healthc Pap. 2024 Jul;22(2):72-77. doi: 10.12927/hcpap.2024.27393.

Abstract

The evolving concept of "[a]geing in the right place (AIRP)" (Iciaszczyk et al. 2022: 1) underscores the importance of enabling older adults to receive comprehensive care and support across various settings. There is growing evidence that innovative technologies can empower more persons to maintain their autonomy while better ensuring their safety, well-being and quality of life and also improve the experience of family caregivers and paid care providers. While there exists a powerful belief that technologies can solve all problems, the reality is that they can also present risks, particularly around cybersecurity, privacy and ethical concerns and not deliver any real benefits and in some cases, cause users harm. This paper summarizes a number of pragmatic strategies for addressing these challenges and maximizing the impact of technology in supporting AIRP.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Caregivers
  • Humans
  • Patient-Centered Care*
  • Quality of Life