Narrative Review: Technologies in Eldercare

Abstract

Background: Welfare technology is a concept that appears as one of the answers to how to meet the need for care in growing older populations. Although technology has been used for decades in eldercare, it is under-problematized and there is a lack of knowledge about how effective it really is. Objectives: This paper reviews the usage of technologies in eldercare and describes determinants of successful implementation of technologies in eldercare. The review aims to summarize and critically evaluate important aspects of technology usage in eldercare. Method: A narrative review method was selected for analysis of the literature. Through applying a narrative perspective to review the literature on technologies in eldercare, a broad understanding is gained of the contextual factors and main key success factors of implementing technologies in eldercare. Result: The review yield 71 publications related to technologies in eldercare. Seven themes were identified: (1) curriculum of technologies in eldercare; (2) on technologies; (3) evaluation models; (4) key success factors; (5) perception – care personnel; (6) perception – older users; and (7) controversies and dilemmas Discussion and Implications: The result of the review shows that technologies in eldercare are promoted to enable more seamless, efficient, patient-centered and safe care, however technologies might be contributing to making eldercare more fragmented, time-consuming, technology-centered and risky. Technologies in eldercare are only as successful and suitable as organizational culture, infrastructure and management practice allow them to be.

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