Document sans titre
Older adults have positive
attitudes toward using technology so they can function independently at home,
even though they may not be sure what those technologies are. Opinions about technologies,
such as home security services, sensors to detect falls and devices to regulate
temperature, lights and appliances, were collected in a survey of 907 people ages
65 years and older.
Three-fourths of older adults
supported the use of telemedicine to diagnose or monitor health conditions remotely,
for example, by having a cardiologist diagnose or monitor a heart condition
using information transmitted electronically from the primary care physician's
office or their home. More than 9 in 10 support the use of telepharmacy allowing
their doctor to monitor their medications and send prescriptions to the pharmacy.
With the exception of door
or window alarms, fewer than half were aware of electronic devices that regulate
the house's temperature, lights and appliances (40%), activity monitors (35%)
and sensors to detect falls (21%).
They were very aware of
personal emergency response systems (91%), and unaware of electronic pill boxes
(13%). However, they expressed a strong interest in using television-based and
Internet monitoring with provider communication and the electronic pillboxes.
The major barriers to using
these technologies were cost and perception of need.
"The ground is fertile
for the use of caregiving technology to flourish," said Elinor Ginzler
at AARP. "Almost nine in 10 older Americans want to be able to stay in
their own homes and they are willing to use technology that can help them do
that. Cost, however, is the elephant in the room-how to pay remains a big obstacle."
SOURCE: AARP (March 28,
2008) & http://www.icaa.cc
Home
