This literature review examines the role of assistive technology in supporting the rapidly growing global ageing population, which, according to the WHO, is projected to be one in five people by 2050, a figure that is increasing both worldwide and in Ireland. Considering those demographic shifts, there is an urgent need for governments and stakeholders to develop frameworks and policies that support health ageing. This review highlights assistive technology such as health monitors, tablets, hearing aids, telehealth or mobile health, as a promising solution to facilitate ageing in place while promoting independence among older adults.
This document explores several key aspects of assistive technology implementation:
- Characteristics of older adult technology users
- Governmental policies and frameworks supporting assistive technology adoption
- Benefits and challenges of implementing these technologies
- Evidence regarding their effectiveness in supporting ageing populations
Overall, assistive technology has been shown to offer significant benefits for older people by addressing various physical limitations, cognitive decline, and feelings of isolation. However, the technology also faces multiple adoption barriers, including demographic factors, health considerations, societal attitudes, fragmented funding, and costs. Also, research has identified a knowledge gap that makes it difficult to determine how effective the technology really is.
This was originally published in 2023.