Ambient assisted living technology‐mediated interventions for older people and their informal carers in the context of healthy ageing: A scoping review

Abstract

Abstract Background and aims There is a growing demand for health and social care services to provide technology‐mediated interventions that promote the health and well‐being of older people with health or care needs and of their informal carers. The objectives of this study were to scope and review the nature and extent of prior intervention studies involving ambient assisted living technology‐mediated interventions for older people and their informal carers, and how and in what ways (if any) the goals and aims of these interventions reflected the domains of the World Health Organization framework for healthy ageing. Methods We conducted a scoping review. Data were collected between June and October 2018 with an updated search in October 2020. A total of 85 articles were eligible for inclusion. Results Nine categories described the aims and content of the included studies. The healthy ageing domain “Ability to meet basic needs” was mirrored in four categories, whereas “Ability to contribute to society” was not addressed at all. Conclusion The ways in which domains of healthy ageing are mirrored suggest that there is an emphasis on individual factors and individual responsibility, and a lack of attention given to broader, environmental factors affecting healthy ageing. Only a few of the studies used a dyadic approach when assessing health outcomes concerning older people and their informal carers.

Keywords

• aged
• aged 80 and over
• ambient assisted living technology
• caregivers
• health services for the aged
• healthy aging