Encyclopedia (Dec 2024)

Healthy Aging in Place with the Aid of Smart Technologies: A Systematic Review

  • Ming Hu,
  • Soojin Han,
  • Siavash Ghorbany,
  • Kai Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4040125
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 4
pp. 1918 – 1932

Abstract

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This study evaluates the current scope of smart technology applications that support aging in place and identifies potential avenues for future research. The global demographic shift towards an aging population has intensified interest in technologies that enable older adults to maintain independence and quality of life within their homes. We conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature from Web of Science, PubMed, and ProQuest, identifying 44 smart technologies across 32 publications. These technologies were classified into three categories: nonmobile technologies for individual monitoring, nonmobile technologies for home environment monitoring, and wearable technologies for health and activity tracking. Notably, the research in this area has grown significantly since 2018; yet, notable gaps persist, particularly within the traditional disciplines related to aging and in the use of quantitative methodologies. This emerging field presents substantial opportunities for interdisciplinary research and methodological advancement, highlighting the need for well-developed research strategies to support the effective integration of smart technology in aging in place.

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