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. 2021 Dec;40(12):1893-1902.
doi: 10.1177/07334648211005868. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Dementia Care, Fall Detection, and Ambient-Assisted Living Technologies Help Older Adults Age in Place: A Scoping Review

Cameron J Gettel  1 , Kevin Chen  2 , Elizabeth M Goldberg  2   3
Affiliations

Dementia Care, Fall Detection, and Ambient-Assisted Living Technologies Help Older Adults Age in Place: A Scoping Review

Cameron J Gettel et al. J Appl Gerontol. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to describe recent technologic advances in the three domains of dementia care, falls, and home supports; summarize existing literature on usability; and identify knowledge gaps.

Methods: A comprehensive search of five databases for recent peer-reviewed publications was conducted in May 2020. Independent reviewers performed title/abstract review, full-text screening, data extraction, and study characteristic summarization.

Results: Out of 2,696 citations, 151 articles were retrieved for full-text evaluation, after which 54 studies were included in this scoping review. For each domain, different technologies are available to enhance the health and well-being of older adults; many users deemed them usable and useful. Technologies targeted improving function, psychosocial and cognitive status, home safety, and caregiver burden. Barriers to widespread uptake include privacy concerns, suboptimal user experience, and willingness to accept assistance.

Conclusion: Technologic innovations directed toward dementia care, fall detection, and ambient-assisted living can aid older adults "aging in place."

Keywords: dementia; falls; geriatrics; successful aging; technology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests:

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PRISMA flow diagram of studies included in the scoping review.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Opportunities and barriers of dementia care, fall detection devices, and ambient assisted living technologies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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