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Can assistive technologies (ATs) support aging in place for people with dementia and disability? In seeking to go beyond the persistent institutional care delivery paradigm, this proof-of-concept study tested the feasibility of home care delivery using sensors and remote communication devices. This article reports the collaborative efforts among care professionals, care recipients and family caregivers in their private home environment and the impact of in-home passive remote monitoring (PRM) system on the users. The purpose of this study was to investigate the usability and impact of a PRM system combining in-house passive remote monitoring and an interactive communication function. In order to realize AT-supported, person-centered aging in place, a new care delivery model was designed, developed and tested for the duration of 12 weeks. The study was conducted with 5 older people (1 with severe disability and 4 with dementia), their primary family carers with 15 care professionals as users. The findings indicate that there were some technical issues. However, the overall assessment of the system performance was positive, and the users expressed favorable views regarding its preventive and interactive nature. The importance of team-based care delivery, adjusted to fit the PRM equipment, was also highlighted. Faced with the challenge of meeting the increasing demand for person-centered care with limited resources, there will be a greater need for better integration of improved ATs. The study indicates ATs' potential for enhancing the quality of life for those involved in caregiving, while stressing the significance of stakeholders' engagement, skills and teamwork. This proof-of-concept study tested the feasibility of a home care delivery system using sensors and remote communication device for those with dementia and disabilities. A home care delivery system was successfully created for 12 weeks by collaborative efforts among care professionals, care recipients and family caregivers in their private home environment. The introduction of in-home passive remote monitoring system increased the possibility of the older adults being able to live independently, and enabled rehabilitation at home. The users had favourable views regarding the system's preventive and interactive nature and highlighted a greater need for better integration of improved assistive technology in long-term care and rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socially assistive robots (SARs) are seen as part of a pragmatic solution to addressing the increasing demands, shortage of care workers and to realizing the potential of optimum integrated care. Yet their effectiveness and impact on older people’s care, activities and participation are still unknown. A total of 67 people aged 65 and over participated in a 24-week-long, quasi-experimental study in five residential nursing homes in Japan. The personalized care plan and targets were created based on the framework of the WHO’s International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF). Three types of socially assistive robots were used. The participants in the robot intervention groups showed greater improvements in their scores for targeted activities and participation than the control group. Statistically significant improvements were observed in communication, self care, and social life. SARs have great potential for improving older people’s quality of life. With further research, the use of these robots by older people could be considered as a serious option in the future. In addition, the ICF framework can be utilized further for measuring the effects of introducing SARs on older people’s quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socially assistive robots (SARs) are seen as part of a pragmatic solution to addressing the increasing demands, shortage of care workers and to realizing the potential of optimum integrated care. Yet their effectiveness and impact on older people’s care, activities and participation are still unknown. A total of 67 people aged 65 and over participated in a 24-week-long, quasi-experimental study in five residential nursing homes in Japan. The personalized care plan and targets were created based on the framework of the WHO’s International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF). Three types of socially assistive robots were used. The participants in the robot intervention groups showed greater improvements in their scores for targeted activities and participation than the control group. Statistically significant improvements were observed in communication, self care, and social life. SARs have great potential for improving older people’s quality of life. With further research, the use of these robots by older people could be considered as a serious option in the future. In addition, the ICF framework can be utilized further for measuring the effects of introducing SARs on older people’s quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]