Technology, Aging and Home and Community Care: Picking the Right Problems to Solve

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Informatics
• Public Policy

Background:

• The aging Canadian population necessitates enhanced community-based care solutions.
• Digital technologies present potential benefits for supporting seniors aging at home.
• Personal support workers (PSWs) are central to home and community care but face significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the ethically appropriate role of digital technologies in supporting aging at home.
• To build upon existing research (Kokorelias et al., 2024) regarding technology and aging.
• To advocate for a nuanced perspective on integrating technology in home care.

Main Methods:

• Commentary and critical analysis of current trends and challenges.
• Focus on the experiences and roles of personal support workers.
• Discussion of policy implications and technological advancements.

Main Results:

• A nuanced perspective is crucial for the ethical implementation of digital technologies in home care.
• Personal support workers face challenges including precarious employment and safety concerns.
• Digital innovations alone are insufficient without policy support.

Conclusions:

• A holistic strategy integrating policy initiatives and technological advancements is imperative for effective aging at home.
• Addressing the challenges faced by personal support workers is key to successful implementation.
• Ethical considerations must guide the deployment of digital technologies in community care.