Conversation for change: engaging older adults as partners in research on gerotechnology.

There is increasing research and public policy investment in the development of technologies to support healthy aging and age-friendly services in Canada. Yet adoption and use of technologies by older adults is limited and rates of abandonment remain high. In response to this, there is growing interest within the field of gerotechnology in fostering greater participation of older adults in research and design. The nature of participation ranges from passive information gathering to more active involvement in research activities, such as those informed by participatory design or participatory action research (PAR). However, participatory approaches are rare with identified barriers including ageism and ableism. This stigma contributes to the limited involvement of older adults in gerotechnology research and design, which in turn reinforces negative stereotypes, such as lack of ability and interest in technology. While the full involvement of older adults in gerotechnology remains rare, the Older Adults' Active Involvement in Ageing & Technology Research and Development (OA-INVOLVE) project aims to develop models of best practice for engaging older adults in these research projects. In this comment paper, we employ an unconventional, conversational-style format between academic researchers and older adult research contributors to provide new perspectives, understandings, and insights into: (i) motivations to engage in participatory research; (ii) understandings of roles and expectations as research contributors; (iii) challenges encountered in contributing to gerotechnology research; (iv) perceived benefits of participation; and (v) advice for academic researchers.

More investments are being made to develop technologies that support healthy aging and age-friendly services in Canada. However, not many older adults use these technologies and those who do tend to stop using them after some time. Gerotechnology is a field of study that combines an interest in gerontology and technology. Within gerotechnology, researchers are learning more about how to encourage older adults to participate in research and the design of new technologies. There are different ways that older adults participate in gerotechnology research, with some approaches being more passive than others. In participatory design and participatory action research projects older adults are encouraged to engage more actively as co-researchers. However, researchers have found that there are some limitations to engaging older adults actively in research, including ageism and ableism, meaning that older adults are perceived to be capable of contributing based on their age and cognitive or physical abilities. These stereotypes have limited how often and how much older adults actually contribute to technology research and design. The Older Adults' Active Involvement in Aging & Technology Research and Development (OA-INVOLVE) project aims to address these gaps. In this comment paper, we present a conversation between academic and older adult researchers who have contributed to OA-INVOLVE. The goal of this conversation is to explore together: (i) motivations to engage in participatory research; (ii) understandings of roles and expectations as research contributors; (iii) challenges encountered in contributing to gerotechnology research; (iv) perceived benefits of participation; and (v) advice for academic researchers.

Exploring the acceptability of the 'smart cane' to support mobility in older cancer survivors and older adults: A mixed methods study.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 25% of older cancer survivors (i.e., ≥ 65 years, with cancer history) use ≥1 mobility device, surpassing usage by other older adults. Few tools exist for older "survivors" to regain function or follow lifestyle recommendations. Our goal was to explore opportunities to leverage technology-enabled mobility devices, such as the "smart cane," to support mobility goals in these survivors. The research objective was to assess perceptions related to acceptability, usability and preferences of participants regarding technology-enabled mobility devices in everyday life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a convergent mixed-methods design, analyzing quantitative data followed by qualitative focus groups. A pre-survey derived from the Senior Technology Acceptance Model assessed the acceptability of technology-enabled devices among participants, who also participated in one of three focus groups delivered via Zoom. The Zoom sessions included facilitated 90-min discussions and video demonstration of the smart cane. Focus group sessions were recorded and transcribed verbatim and thematic content analysis was conducted. RESULTS: We recruited 12 older US survivors. Participants were 58% female, aged 68-86, and 16% non-White. From a pre-survey of participants, 83% said that they liked the idea of technology-enhanced mobility device and 100% said they thought they could be skillful at using a technology-enabled device if training was provided. Though participants were enthusiastic about the smart cane overall and felt the smart cane supported independence for older adults, the themes revealed concerns about safety, accessibility and technology support, as well as the concern for negative impact on self-image due to use of a mobility device. There was a strong preference for working with clinical professionals as the most trusted sources for referrals, if a smart cane was suggested. DISCUSSION: Older survivors in our sample found the smart cane very acceptable, and supportive of independence for older adults with cancer and other conditions. Participants also provided many insights that revealed additional research needed to support access, safety and usability for older adults, older survivors and caregivers, especially by partnering with clinical professionals.

Active response to population aging with scientific and technological innovation in China / 中华老年医学杂志

The situation of population aging is grim.And scientific and technological innovation is an important strategic support means to solve the problem of population aging.President Xi Jinping has put forward the guiding ideology of "Four Facing" of scientific and technological innovation, pointing out the direction of using science and technology to support the high-quality development of the aging cause and to realize healthy aging.The scientific and technological innovation of population aging has always been highly integrated with exploring international science frontiers, serving main economic sectors, meeting major national needs and safeguarding people's life and health.This paper elaborates on the deep integration between the aging population and the "four facing" of scientific and technological innovation, in order to better construct a new development pattern, and for science to help actively cope with the smooth implementation of the national strategy of population aging.

Improving Older People's Lives Through Digital Technology and Practices.

The Aging and Technology special issue showcases twelve papers spanning a range and diversity of international scholarly research within the field of ageing and technology. The collection of papers demonstrates the positive impact technology can have on the lives of older people including improving cognitive performance, physical and mental health and people's daily activities and practices. There are still barriers to use, including psychological issues of motivation, attitudes, privacy and trust and social issues involving learning to use the technology. In conclusion, to help overcome these barriers, it is recommended that research and development of technology involves older people as co-developers working with stakeholders from different disciplines and backgrounds.

Use of technology and social media in dementia care: Current and future directions.

As the population across the globe continues to dramatically increase, the prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia will inevitably increase as well, placing increasing burden on families and health care systems. Technological advancements over the past decade provide potential benefit in not only relieving caregiver burden of caring for a loved one with dementia, but also enables individuals with dementia to age in place. Technological devices have served to improve functioning, tracking and mobility. Similarly, smartphones, tablets and the ubiquitous world wide web have facilitated the dissemination of health information to previously hard to reach populations largely through use of various social media platforms. In this review, we discuss the current and future uses of technology via devices and social media to promote healthy aging in individuals with dementia, and also limitations and challenges to consider in the future.

Health-Related Correlates of Demonstrated Smartphone Expertise in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Smartphone use in the older population is understudied, despite a growing use of technology in this age group. This study characterized the relation of demonstrated smartphone expertise to self-reported health attitudes and behaviors in 85 community-dwelling adults, mean age 77.24 (7.64) years. Self-report instruments included a demographic survey, a health attitudes measure, and a mobility checklist. Participants completed a behavioral challenge, the Smartphone Task for Older Adults (STOA). Demonstrated expertise in smartphone use (STOA-DESU), familiarity with apps, and ability to replicate functions after demonstration showed differential relations with health outcomes. DESU was positively associated with education, income, Altarum Consumer Engagement Measure (ACE), and Life Space Questionnaire (LSQ) scores and was negatively associated with age and daily medications. Additional findings replicated aspects of the well-known digital divide, and showed that those older adults with restricted mobility or diabetes had less knowledge of and more difficulties in using smartphones. Despite these problems, health-related functions must be optimized for older populations.

Gerotechnology for Older Adults With Cardiovascular Diseases: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

The growing population of older adults (age ≥65 years) is expected to lead to higher rates of cardiovascular disease. The expansion of digital health (encompassing telehealth, telemedicine, mobile health, and remote patient monitoring), Internet access, and cellular technologies provides an opportunity to enhance patient care and improve health outcomes-opportunities that are particularly relevant during the current coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. Insufficient dexterity, visual impairment, and cognitive dysfunction, found commonly in older adults should be taken into consideration in the development and utilization of existing technologies. If not implemented strategically and appropriately, these can lead to inequities propagating digital divides among older adults, across disease severities and socioeconomic distributions. A systematic approach, therefore, is needed to study and implement digital health strategies in older adults. This review will focus on current knowledge of the benefits, barriers, and use of digital health in older adults for cardiovascular disease management.

Older adults' willingness to share their personal and health information when adopting healthcare technology and services.

BACKGROUND: Large investments have been made in the development of information technology-based healthcare solutions for older adults, with expectations for increased efficiency and effectiveness of preventive healthcare and chronic disease management. This study aims to explore factors influencing older adults' willingness to share their personal and health information when using healthcare technologies and services such as wearable electronic devices and relevant services, with a focus on information type and requesting entity. METHODS: Data came from a survey on older adults at local senior centers in South Korea (N = 170; mean age = 77; 45.9% women). Questions asked participants their willingness to share information about socioeconomic, health status, and medical service information with six entities: family, hospital, researcher, government agency, device developer/corporation, and insurance company. A series of logistic regressions were estimated to examine the associations of socio-demographic factors, self-rated health, and attitude towards technology with the willingness to share by information type and requesting entity. RESULTS: Higher proportions of older adults reported being willing to share their information with family and hospitals than with researchers, government agencies, device developer/corporations, or insurance companies (80.4%, 66.1% vs. 39.9%, 23.5%, 25.2%, 19.0%, respectively). Education and age were the most common factors affecting older adults' willingness to share across information types and requesting entities. Higher education consistently showed a negative effect on the willingness to share; however, older age showed a positive effect. Older adults with positive attitudes towards technology were more likely to share their information with device developer/corporations. Women were less likely to share their information with government agencies than men. Older adults with poorer self-rated health were more likely to share their information, in particular medical service information, with hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults are selective about sharing their personal and health information when using healthcare technologies and relevant services in order to maintain and promote health, depending on the specific type of information and the entities asked to share with. The findings suggest that information granularity and empowering older adults with control over sharing each type of personal information will become more and more important in the practice of healthcare technology and services among older adults for the next decades. Also, it is notable that older adults have a relatively low level of trust in government agencies in relation to sharing their information. Healthcare technology and relevant services, particularly in public health, need to be designed and developed considering the privacy concerns and diversity among older adults, especially older women.