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In homecare, networks are formed by professional, semiprofessional, and informal actors, who collaborate to care for people in need. Modern information and communication technology (ICT) might play an important role to enhance cooperation in homecare networks. Through infrastructuring work, the authors seek to build a comprehensive understanding of the types of collaboration complexity in homecare networks to determine if, when and which technologies are most suitable. This paper examines how homecare networks can be classified according to collaboration complexity. A four-stage research design was followed to develop a taxonomy for homecare collaboration. The taxonomy was applied to 21 care networks, and five types of homecare networks were identified. The taxonomy considers network, tasks, and communication particularities across 13 dimensions, each of which includes three characteristics. Three clusters were identified as more likely than the others to benefit from increased technology use. The taxonomy and archetypes highlight which homecare network types could benefit from increased technology use. Additionally, the taxonomy allows for an iterative re-evaluation of networks to initiate measures for improvement.

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Befragungen von pflegenden Angehörigen von Menschen im Projekt MoCaB (Mobile Care Backup) zeigen, dass u. a. ein Mangel an Krankheitswissen und Unwissen über pflegerische Handlungsoptionen als belastend erlebt werden. Zielsetzung und Fragestellung: Ziel ist es, pflegende Angehörige in ihrer Häuslichkeit zu unterstützen. Dazu werden pflegerelevantes Wissen und Anleitungen zur Selbstpflege situationsgerecht über eine mobile Applikation (MoCaB-App) bereitgestellt. Methoden: Das Kernelement der mobilen Applikation, die personalisierte Wissensvermittlung in Dialogform, wird in einem partizipativen Verfahren mit potenziellen Nutzerinnen und Nutzern entwickelt. Das relevante evidenzbasierte Pflegewissen wurde im Experten-Review-Verfahren gesichtet und für die Zielgruppe der pflegenden Angehörigen aufbereitet. Ergebnisse: Bislang wurden 86 pflegerelevante Themen identifiziert und formuliert. Die Usability-Testungen mit potenziellen Anwenderinnen und Anwendern zeigen, dass die Inhalte selbst, die sprachliche Aufbereitung und die Darbietung über die MoCaB-App gut angenommen werden. Ausblick: In einem nächsten Schritt wird die App im häuslichen Setting mit pflegenden Angehörigen getestet, um ggf. weitere Überarbeitungsbedarfe zu identifizieren.

Background The use of assistive technologies (ATs) to support older people has been fueled by the demographic change and technological progress in many countries. These devices are designed to assist seniors, enable independent living at home or in residential facilities, and improve quality of life by addressing age-related difficulties. Objective We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ATs on relevant outcomes with a focus on frail older adults. Methods A systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials evaluating ATs was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, SocIndex, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and IEEEXplore databases were searched from January 1, 2009, to March 15, 2019. ATs were included when aiming to support the domains autonomy, communication, or safety of older people with a mean age ≥65 years. Trials performed within a laboratory setting were excluded. Studies were retrospectively categorized according to the physical frailty status of participants. Results A total of 19 trials with a high level of heterogeneity were included in the analysis. Six device categories were identified: mobility, personal disease management, medication, mental support, hearing, and vision. Eight trials showed significant effectiveness in all or some of the primary outcome measures. Personal disease management devices seem to be the most effective, with four out of five studies showing significant improvement of disease-related outcomes. Frailty could only be assessed for seven trials. Studies including participants with significant or severe impairment showed no effectiveness. Conclusions Different ATs show some promising results in well-functioning but not in frail older adults, suggesting that the evaluated ATs might not (yet) be suitable for this subgroup. The uncertainty of the effectiveness of ATs and the lack of high-quality research for many promising supportive devices were confirmed in this systematic review. Large studies, also including frail older adults, and clear standards are needed in the future to guide professionals, older users, and their relatives. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42019130249; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=130249

BACKGROUND The use of assistive technologies (ATs) to support older people has been fueled by the demographic change and technological progress in many countries. These devices are designed to assist seniors, enable independent living at home or in residential facilities, and improve quality of life by addressing age-related difficulties. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ATs on relevant outcomes with a focus on frail older adults. METHODS A systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials evaluating ATs was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, SocIndex, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and IEEEXplore databases were searched from January 1, 2009, to March 15, 2019. ATs were included when aiming to support the domains autonomy, communication, or safety of older people with a mean age ≥65 years. Trials performed within a laboratory setting were excluded. Studies were retrospectively categorized according to the physical frailty status of participants. RESULTS A total of 19 trials with a high level of heterogeneity were included in the analysis. Six device categories were identified: mobility, personal disease management, medication, mental support, hearing, and vision. Eight trials showed significant effectiveness in all or some of the primary outcome measures. Personal disease management devices seem to be the most effective, with four out of five studies showing significant improvement of disease-related outcomes. Frailty could only be assessed for seven trials. Studies including participants with significant or severe impairment showed no effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS Different ATs show some promising results in well-functioning but not in frail older adults, suggesting that the evaluated ATs might not (yet) be suitable for this subgroup. The uncertainty of the effectiveness of ATs and the lack of high-quality research for many promising supportive devices were confirmed in this systematic review. Large studies, also including frail older adults, and clear standards are needed in the future to guide professionals, older users, and their relatives.

Much hope is placed in the use of assistive technologies (AT) to support older adults and retain their independence and quality of life. AT could also be a way to help fulfill the increasing requirements of caring for an aging population. While many devices are freely available, successful and broad adoption is progressing slowly. In a qualitative analysis, we investigated the popularity of AT and the willingness to and obstacles for use. Eleven older adults aged 62–85 participated in three groups, each focusing on a specific age-related case example. Using content analysis, statements have been categorized into three levels: the affected person, their surroundings, and supportive devices. Information (knowledge, consultation) was the topic spoken about the most (n=101), followed by statements focusing on everyday life and the use of assistive devices (n=99). Comments on economic topics carried the least weight (n=28). The biggest obstacles for the reluctant adoption of AT don’t seem to be acceptance issues but rather a lack of knowledge of AT and where to get counseling. Thus, the provision and promotion of coherent information material and accessible consultation for users and relatives should be prioritized. AT training for healthcare professionals can provide further opportunities.

Much hope is placed in the use of assistive technologies (AT) to support older adults and retain their independence and quality of life. AT could also be a way to help fulfill the increasing requirements of caring for an aging population. While many devices are freely available, successful and broad adoption is progressing slowly. In a qualitative analysis, we investigated the popularity of AT and the willingness to and obstacles for use. Eleven older adults aged 62-85 participated in three groups, each focusing on a specific age-related case example. Using content analysis, statements have been categorized into three levels: the affected person, their surroundings, and supportive devices. Information (knowledge, consultation) was the topic spoken about the most (n=101), followed by statements focusing on everyday life and the use of assistive devices (n=99). Comments on economic topics carried the least weight (n=28). The biggest obstacles for the reluctant adoption of AT don't seem to be acceptance issues but rather a lack of knowledge of AT and where to get counseling. Thus, the provision and promotion of coherent information material and accessible consultation for users and relatives should be prioritized. AT training for healthcare professionals can provide further opportunities.

Providing knowledge and support for caring relatives with the smartphone - the MoCaB project

Social community is a basic need of human life. Exchange, networking and cooperation are the driving forces for innovation and are at the same time essential for the accomplishment of everyday life. Since the foundation of Facebook in 2004, (digital) networking has been redefined and constantly reinvented. Research and science endeavor to describe the phenomena, to analyze them scientifically and to make the benefits of digital networking accessible to all. In that context this article presents first results of the evaluation of a quarter related networking platform. Objectives of the evaluation are the derivation of criteria for the implementation of neighborhood apps as well as the gain in knowledge about content satisfaction and the user-friendliness of the neighborhood app used in the project. First results show that there is a cross-generational interest in digital networking and that tools for neighborhood work and district communication make the use of a neighborhood platform attractive. Nevertheless, there is a certain inhibition to the usage due to the fear to do something wrong, additional work and the low added value in the initial phase due to low numbers of users.

Der Grosteil der Pflegebedurftigen mochte so lange wie moglich zu Hause gepflegt werden. Zwar fuhlen sich Familienangehorige in hohem Mase zu einem Beitrag zur Pflege verpflichtet, allerdings werden sie durch zunehmende Erwerbstatigkeit und raumliche Distanzen vor enorme Herausforderungen gestellt. Technischen Assistenzsystemen wird ein hohes Potential fur die Unterstutzung der hauslichen Versorgung zugesprochen. Bisher ist allerdings kaum untersucht, welche Moglichkeiten Informationssysteme zur Koordination und Optimierung von Versorgungsprozessen im Hilfemix bieten konnten. Im Rahmen des Beitrags soll daher beleuchtet werden, wie Systeme zur computergestutzten Zusammenarbeit zur Koordination von Versorgungsnetzwerken mit professionellen und informell Pflegenden eingesetzt werden konnen. Hierzu werden die Ergebnisse einer umfassenden Bedarfsanalyse sowie eines partizipativen Gestaltungsprozesses fur eine App zur Unterstutzung von Hilfemix-Netzwerken vorgestellt.