Can aging in place be cost effective? A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Economics
• Technology Assessment

Background:

• Aging in place is a growing preference for older adults.
• Assisted living technologies (ALTs) offer potential support for independent living.
• Economic evaluations are crucial for understanding the value of ALTs.

Purpose of the Study:

• Systematically review cost, cost-minimization, and cost-effectiveness studies of ALTs for aging in place.
• Identify research gaps and future research needs in this area.

Main Methods:

• Searched NHS EED and HEED databases for relevant economic studies.
• Assessed studies using Campbell and Cochrane Economic Methods Group recommendations.
• Conducted a narrative synthesis of the identified studies.

Main Results:

• Eight eligible studies from North America were identified.
• Most studies indicated lower resource use costs for ALT intervention groups.
• Significant limitations include low methodological quality and heterogeneity of reported data.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence suggests ALTs may offer cost reductions, but data quality is poor.
• Existing studies often fail to capture quality of life improvements.
• High-quality cost-effectiveness studies, potentially using the capabilities approach, are needed to inform decisions on ALT implementation for aging in place.