Gerontechnologies for Home Support

In recent years, various digital and non-digital gerontechnology applications in home support have been developed. From medication administration aids (e.g., reminders and alarms), to environmental monitoring (e.g., air quality sensors and cameras), to fall detection, and health and activity monitoring (e.g., smartwatch), these promising solutions are in the works or already in the marketplace. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the development and deployment of technological solutions supporting remote care and communication (e.g., video calls), and home service delivery (e.g., meals and groceries), both of which have been developed to facilitate aging in place. This is significant, especially as avoiding the institutionalization of older adults has become a major goal of governments and caring families around the world. These technologies are a potential solution to help older adults and family caregivers age at home, maintain autonomy and independence, and avoid social isolation. These technologies can reduce the workload of professional caregivers.

It is crucial to update our knowledge on evidence-based technologies for home support tested simultaneously in older adults and their family caregivers. Healthcare professionals and families are often disadvantaged by a lack of information demonstrating their utility and cost-effectiveness. This article collection focuses on providing evidence-based information about emerging and existing gerontechnologies, which is essential to make an informed decision in recommending their use or deciding to purchase them. For older adults, it will provide proofs upon which to make an informed decision to invest in a specific technology when needed. For family caregivers, it will improve their judgment when trying to choose, purchase, and adopt a technology aiming to solve a problem at home and have peace of mind when these technologies are used to support their loved ones. For clinicians, it will provide a pool of evidence-based technological tools that could be recommended to families facing the loss of autonomy and independence of older adults. For researchers and scholars, it will provide a base of knowledge for future applied research in gerontechnology. Finally, improving the evidence in gerontechnology will help to provide cues for policymakers and governments to create legislation aiming to protect the public and the end users of these technologies.

This Research Topic aims to highlight research providing evidence-based information about emerging and existing gerontechnologies and their efficacy, effectiveness, and adoption in the past ten years. It includes research demonstrating the evidence of gerontechnologies (e.g., feasibility, usability, acceptability, satisfaction, dependability, and affordability) through cross-sectional or longitudinal studies using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. The article collection will capture pilot studies as well as “gold standard” randomized-control trials to test different gerontechnologies, such as AI platforms, mobile apps, domestic robots, voice command communication systems, fall detection devices, sensors, self-monitoring, and medication administration technologies. The gerontechnology must be tested at home, with both family caregivers and older adults. This collection will seek contributions across the continuum of aging, spanning from normal aging to mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. Priority will be given to submissions documenting the impact of these technologies on psychological well-being.