Week 11: Gerontechnology

Question 1

Gerontechnology

Answer 1

An interdisciplinary field linking existing and developing technologies to the aspirations and needs of aging and aged adults; supports successful aging and is a response to the combination of the aging of society and rapidly emerging new technologies

Question 1

Subcategories within gerontechnology

Answer 1

1. Successful aging
2. Improve communication & mobility
3. Aging in place

Question 2

Successful aging within gerontechnology

Answer 2

Shifted away from successful aging to aging well
Includes any device or intervention that contributes to person’s preceptive of successful aging

Question 3

Improve communication and mobility examples

Answer 3

Wearables
- ex apple watches, life alert
Mobility aids
- ex powerchairs, walkers
Implants & Replacements
- ex cardiac implants, cochlear
Cognitive aids
-ex brain communicative interfaces

Question 4

Aging in place

Answer 4

Remaining in the community independently as long as possible

Question 5

Aging in place gerontechnology

Answer 5

Traditional technologies and non-tradition technologies

Question 6

Traditional technologies

Answer 6

Facilitate human contact; personally connect or travel
ex. cell phones

Question 7

Non-traditional technologies

Answer 7

Robots and voice-first technology used to connect w loved ones, assist in daily living
ex. amazon alexa and google home

Question 8

Types of non-traditional technologies

Answer 8

1. Smart home devices
2. AAL systems

Question 9

Smart home devices

Answer 9

Take place of caregiver for tasks such as adjusting thermostat, lights or setting reminders (ex. meds)
** must interact

Question 10

AAL systems

Answer 10

Comprised of various sensors that use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze behaviour and compare it to established patterns; identify divergences and call caregivers as needed
**interacts with you

Question 11

Smart home devices: Google nest

Answer 11

• Security systems
• Thermostats
• Streaming devices
• Smart displays
• Smart speakers
• Smoke detectors
• Wifi routers

Question 12

Considerations for google nest

Answer 12

• Ease of access/ competence of older adult
• People in community to help (family etc.)

Question 13

AAL systems: RF pose

Answer 13

Provides accurate human position estimation through walls

Question 14

How is RF pose helpful?

Answer 14

• Constant vigilance & security
• Know location of fall
• Quick response time to appropriate people

Question 15

How is RF pose harmful?

Answer 15

• Personal life known
• Might have to explain long times in bedroom, bathroom etc.
• Possible 24/7 surveillance/privacy

Question 16

Considerations for gerontechnology

Answer 16

• Fine line btwn wanting to help vs relinquishing autonomy
• Is intervention sustainable?
• Done intervention require more attention to detail?

Question 17

Gerontechnology for the future

Answer 17

Nike Go FlyEase
OrCam MyEye

Question 18

Nike Go FlyEase

Answer 18

• Shoes to reduce bending and eliminate need for hand dexterity
• requires balance to remove

Question 19

OrCam MyEye

Answer 19

Attaches to glasses and speaks to older adult to help read

Question 20

Care predict purpose (watch)

Answer 20

Improving the quality of life for our aging populations; focused on identifying patterns in the daily lives of seniors to predict declines in health and enable early intervention

Question 21

Where is care predict employed?

Answer 21

Senior living
Homecare
At home (independent living)

Question 22

Does care predict work?

Answer 22

Initially yes

Question 23

Explanations for findings on Care Predict

Answer 23

1. Improved two ay communication btwn staff and older adults
2. Staff better communicated

Question 24

Gerontechnology summary

Answer 24

Important to consider
- Population in question
- Accessibility and sustainability of intervention
- Cost to benefit