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The Best Day of the Week: New Technology Enhancing Quality of Life in a Care Home

Author

Listed:
  • Anne Juul

    (Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, 2820 Gentofte, Denmark
    The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Raelene Wilding

    (La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia)

  • Loretta Baldassar

    (The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia)

Abstract

Older people living in residential aged care facilities tend to be physically as well as socially inactive, which leads to poorer health and reduced wellbeing. A lack of recognition of the importance of social support, limited resources, lack of training and task-oriented work routines leave little time for staff to meet the social needs of residents. Through qualitative ethnographic fieldwork, this study investigates the potential for new technologies to enhance quality of life and facilitate meaningful engagement in physical and social activities among culturally and linguistically diverse residents and staff in care facilities. A continuum from nonparticipation to full participation among residents was observed when Touch Screen Technology activities were implemented. Data indicate that resident’s engagement is impacted by five interdependent factors, including environmental, organisational, caregiver, patient, and management- &government-related. Findings show that new technologies can be used to increase meaningful physical and social engagement, including transcending language and cultural barriers. However, the successful application of new technologies to enhance quality of life is dependent on their integration into the daily routine and social relationships of staff and residents, with the full support of management. Guidelines governing the use of new technologies to support meaningful engagement of older people in residential care are lacking: this project highlights the importance of attention to the social relational dimensions of technology interventions to support best practice in their use.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Juul & Raelene Wilding & Loretta Baldassar, 2019. "The Best Day of the Week: New Technology Enhancing Quality of Life in a Care Home," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:6:p:1000-:d:215407
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Janelle W Myhre & Matthias R Mehl & Elizabeth L Glisky, 2017. "Cognitive Benefits of Online Social Networking for Healthy Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(5), pages 752-760.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ann Svensson, 2019. "Challenges in Using IT Systems for Collaboration in Healthcare Services," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Joost van Hoof & Deirdre M. Beneken genaamd Kolmer & Erwin de Vlugt & Sanne I. de Vries, 2019. "Quality of Life: The Interplay between Human Behaviour, Technology and the Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-7, December.

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