The Positive and Negative Effects of Technology on the Aged - Term Paper Example

This paper will seek to address the effects of technology on the aged. It will also provide a clear outline of the various possibilities in this topic. Further, the paper will discuss the likely changes among the elderly people and how they affect their use of technology. The positive effects of technology use on the old group will be considered. Various researchers such as West and Rachel and others have written articles in relation to technology but have failed to address the effects of technology on the elderly health care. To ensure proper health care for the elderly through the use of technology, the government, and the private sector should collaborate and educate the elderly on the importance of technology in relation to their health. In conclusion, technology has seen a tremendous growth mainly among the elderly. However, many elderly adults do not know how to use or lack information on information technology and hence are not able to apply them effectively. Further research needs to be conducted to establish how the elderly can be assisted to get information on technology. Similarly, research should be carried out to find out why many old people do not use new technologies in managing their illnesses. Introduction The growth in functionality of digital technologies has been met by tremendous demographic changes in the aging population in today’s world. Today, human beings have become dependent on technology for their day to day life. Technology is an important component of health care. Today, most health care costs are due to technology, and they are likely to increase in the future. Age has been found out to have a great influence on the adoption and use of the new technologies (Lindeman, 2015). Technology is gradually becoming an integral part of our society. It is used at work, in education, service delivery as well as in communication. There is a growing community concern in technology and primary technology that is impacting on health care. Technology has a close connection with human beings since man began co-existing on earth. In the last decades, there have been scientific discoveries that have led to the development of the new technologies we have today. The uptake of technologies has experienced a tremendous increase among the aged over time and there still exists some room for improvement (Czaja and Sharit, 2009). Around 80% of the older people live in their homes. One –third of the total population lives with relatives while the rest live alone. As individuals age, they experience changes in their abilities. They experience a decline in cognitive, physical and sensory functions. This has posed challenges to new technology designers as they try to offer technological innovations that satisfy the whole community, as well as the elderly (Lindeman, 2015). This paper will seek to address the effects of technology on the aged. It will also provide a clear outline of the various possibilities in this topic. Further, the paper will discuss the likely changes among the elderly people and how they affect their use of technology. The positive and negative effects of technology use on the old group will be addressed. Finally, future research and conclusions will be drawn from the study. Background information Changes among the elderly Today, older people are living healthier lives than before. They are far much educated and are generally involved in active lives. Additionally, the older people are living longer than before as well as reporting good health and progress in physical functioning. The capacity of every health care system is being tested by the growing demands of the aging population. New technologies have been adopted to address the challenges posed by chronic illnesses among the elderly, the increasing medical costs and the demands of family caregivers (Lindeman, 2015). Many elderly people have developed anxiety towards technology and always feel that technology is not relevant to them. The trend towards using technology informal aged services is likely to become stronger in the next coming years. The elderly prefer to remain independent and exercise autonomy in the decisions making processes. With technology, the elderly are not staying longer in the hospital and are able to manage their conditions and hence live longer (The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited 2009). Effects of technology on the elderly health care According to Lindeman (2015), technology has led to improvements in the health of older adults. This is because it aids in diagnostics, communication, imaging and obtaining health information. The technologies have led to an enhanced way of life and improved levels of independence. The introduction of Health Information technology (HIT) has led to improved health records, accuracy and data analysis to improve patient care. The elderly are thus able to benefit from timely and accurate diagnosis. Patient safety monitoring technologies such as fall detection and prevention devices, assistive devices and changes in the home, help reduce accidents which are a primary cause of death in the elderly (Browne, 2000). The increase in mobile health platforms and mobile health applications has allowed individuals access accurate and timely information which is transmitted to the care providers and the elderly. Some tools are used to remind the elderly on when to take medications or when to transmit health information to a medical office. Czaja and Sharit (2009), argue that older adults require more health care services and incur higher health care costs compared to the younger population. The new technologies can be used to improve elderly lives in areas of e-health, medication adherence, health care delivery, warnings and instructions, home safety and the design of assistive devices. Many older people fail to take medications as prescribed a factor that contributes to hospital admissions. Devices and products have thus been designed to improve the organization of medications such as voicemail beepers to remind older adults to take drugs. Automated telephone messaging is also used to remind the elderly of appointments and monitor those who suffer from chronic illness. There have been engineering improvements in drug labeling and packaging. The elderly are also being provided with information on their diseases and how to manage it. The internet helps the older people communicate with health care providers as well as share information (Browne, 2000). Research done by The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited (2009), the change in the definite healthcare needs of the aging population will require significant adjustments. Governments are keen in responsibility sharing to meet the demand for social services from an elderly population. Technology is playing an active role in providing care to aging populations. The adoption of telemedicine and remote monitoring systems has enabled medical professional provide advice remotely as well as making home-based care more practicable and safe. As telemedicine offers solutions to aging population healthcare needs, it has also provided job opportunities in many developing countries. Computers provide an opportunity to socialize and form social networks. This helps the elderly alleviate loneliness and alienation. Through computers, the elderly are able to communicate widely and take part in society matters (The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited, 2009). Critique Among the various literature on effects of technology on the elderly healthcare is the article on computer technology and elderly users. The writer’s state that the aged feel powerless and helpless due to their increasing infirmity and the society’s failure to set up institutions and systems that would help them overcome their disabilities. In every society, when an elderly is able to take care of themselves, vast sums of money are saved. Technological innovations would also play a critical role in the process of institutionalization West (2012). West (2012) looks only at how mobile devices have brought transformations in healthcare. He narrows his topic to only the mobile devices and generalizes it uses in health care. He does not address how they can be beneficial only to the elderly. Though he analysis how they can be used to monitor chronic diseases, they can only aid the elderly get personal reminders and communicate with doctors at the comfort of their homes. Generally the article does not address exclusively the use of mobile devices in the elderly health care. In their article “How can health systems respond to population Ageing, Rechel, Doyle, Grudy and Mckee (2009), lays emphasis on policy and the aging population. They highlight the strategies in health care that can be used to ensure proper care is offered to the elderly. They address issues of strengthening data systems in relation to collection and comparability. Problem statement By the year 2050, the population of the elderly people in developed countries will be 32 percent. With this projected increase, it is important to understand what technology is able to offer this group of people (Browne, 2000). Many healthcare systems do not address the specific issues affecting the older population. There is a shortage of basic information on what should be expected when dealing with the elderly. Though there have been developments in the current diseases affecting the elderly, there is high uncertainty about the overall general overall health of an older population. This essay, therefore, seeks to address the effects of technology on the elderly health care. Many older people lack access to technology though they live with chronic diseases. The cost of medical care for the older is increasing rapidly. This research will help technological experts understand what the elderly want and hence be able to design gadgets that may be used by the elderly in their health matters. . Technology is very helpful, and the elderly should not be left out without having enjoyed its benefits. It will also help policy makers, researchers and service providers help the elderly learn and adopt the new technologies as well as develop new technology policies in favor of the elderly (Rechel et al. 2009). Solution For the provision of better health care for the elderly through the use of technology, there is a need to review the existing technologies and assessing the emerging technologies. This will help determine how these technologies can be readily adopted by the aging population as well as their diffusion potential. The rate of diffusion will help reduce the escalating costs of chronic illnesses among the elderly (Lindeman, 2015). There is a need for public and private support in helping healthcare facilities realize the full potential of technology and their ability to change where and how care is provided to older adults. Conclusion Technology has been adopted for use in health care mainly by the elderly. Technology has seen a tremendous growth mainly among the elderly mainly those suffering from chronic illness. There has been a lack of information among the elderly on the emerging medical technologies that can help them manage their illnesses. Though much research has been written on technology, there exists very little research on the effects of technology on the elderly health care. Lack of this information has made it difficult for the elderly to apply technology effectively in the daily lives. Further research needs to be conducted to establish how the elderly can be assisted to get information on technology. Similarly, research should be carried out to find out why many elderly people do not use new technologies in managing their illnesses. References Browne, H. (2000). Accessibility and Usability of Information Technology by the Elderly. Available at http://www.otal.umd.edu/UUGuide/ . Retrieved on 5th May, 2015 Czaja S. J. and Sharit, J. (2009). The Aging of the Population: Opportunities and Challenges For Human Factor Engineering. National Academy of Engineering of the National Academics, 39 (1). Lindeman, D. (2012). Emerging Technologies for our Aging Society. America Society of Aging. Available at http://www.asaging.org/blog/emerging-technologies-our-aging-society. Retrieved on 5th May 2015 Rechel, B.; Doyle, Y.; Grundy, E. and McKee, M. (2009). How Can Health Systems Respond to Population Ageing? Health Systems and Policy Analysis.10, 3-23 The Economist Intelligence Unit limited (2009). Healthcare Strategies for Aging Society. The Fourth Report on a series of four from the Economist Intelligence Unit Commissioned by Philips. Available at http://graphics.eiu.com/upload/eb/Philips_Healthcare_ageing_3011WEB.pdf. Retrieved on 4th May, 2015 West D. (2012) How Mobile Devices are Transforming Healthcare. Issues in Technology Innovation. No18 available at https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=West+%282012%29+looks+only+at+how+mobile+devices+have+brought+transformations+in+healthcare. Retrieved on 5th May, 2015. Read More