"Psychogeritechnology" in Japan: Exemplars from a super-aged society.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Medical Technology
• Dementia Care

Background:

• Gerontechnology traditionally focuses on active ageing and independence.
• There is a need for greater emphasis on clinical applications for dementia within gerontechnology.
• Psychogeritechnology is proposed to encompass technology for dementia prevention, prediction, screening, assessment, diagnosis, management, and monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a narrative review of innovative technologies for dementia diagnosis, management, and support.
• To use Japan, a super-aged nation, as a model for technological applications in dementia care.
• To explore psychogeritechnological applications across the dementia life course.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical exemplars and case studies of psychogeritechnological applications in Japan.
• Examination of technology use across dementia stages: preclinical, early, moderate, and advanced.
• Discussion of the evolution of a technological roadmap for dementia, including theoretical, evaluation, and ethical considerations.

Main Results:

• The review highlights various technological applications for dementia across different life stages.
• Examples range from early detection and monitoring to assistive technologies for independence and care.
• Japan's advancements offer a paradigm for developing and implementing dementia-focused technologies.

Conclusions:

• Japan is a leader in developing technology for dementia support within its rapidly aging society.
• The field of psychogeritechnology must leverage these developments and refine methodologies for implementation and evaluation.
• Further development is needed in theoretical underpinnings, evaluation frameworks, and addressing ethical and policy implications.