Long-Term Care Services and Support Systems for Older Adults: The Role of Technology
Long-Term Care Services and Support Systems for Older Adults: The Role of Technology
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DOI：
10.1037/a0040258
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发表时间：
2016-05-01
影响因子：
16.4
通讯作者：
Czaja, Sara J.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Czaja, Sara J.
人口老龄化，特别是“高龄老人”的增加，是一个显著的成就，对政策制定者、研究人员和社会来说，既是机遇，也是挑战。虽然许多老年人在晚年享有相对良好的健康状况，但许多人患有一种或多种慢性疾病，需要帮助进行疾病管理活动或对独立生活重要的活动。技术在医疗保健竞技场中发挥着越来越重要的作用，并且在健康管理活动中变得无处不在。有各种技术应用可用于提高行动能力和生活质量的人谁有限制，并有助于促进那些慢性病患者留在家里的能力。技术应用还可以在向家庭照顾者提供支助方面发挥核心作用，使他们更容易获得信息和社区资源，并与正式和非正式支助服务建立联系。监控技术还可以让护理人员在工作或在远处时检查他们所爱的人的状态或活动。此外，远程医疗应用可以帮助护理提供者监测病人和提供保健服务的能力。本文的目的是强调技术在为老年人及其家庭提供长期支持方面的潜在作用。还将讨论目前限制为这些人口充分实现技术潜力的挑战和障碍。最后，心理科学在最大限度地发挥技术应用在加强长期护理和支持服务方面的潜力方面的作用将得到强调。
The aging of the population, especially the increase in the "oldest old," is a remarkable achievement that presents both opportunities and challenges for policymakers, researchers, and society. Although many older adults enjoy relatively good health into their later years, many have one or more chronic conditions or diseases and need help with disease management activities or activities important to independent living. Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the health care arena and is becoming ubiquitous in health management activities. There are a variety of technology applications that can be used to enhance the mobility and quality of life of people who have limitations and help to foster the ability of those with chronic conditions to remain at home. Technology applications can also provide a central role in providing support to family caregivers in terms of enhancing access to information and community resources and connections to formal and informal support services. Monitoring technologies may also allow caregivers to check on the status or activities of their loved one while they are at work or at a distant location. Furthermore, telemedicine applications can aid the ability of care providers to monitor patients and deliver health services. The objective of this article is to highlight the potential role that technology can play in the provision of long-term support for older adults and their families. Challenges and barriers that currently limit the full potential of technology to be realized for these populations will also be discussed. Finally the role of psychological science toward maximizing the potential of technology applications in enhancing long term care and support services will be highlighted.