https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6625-3190
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Abstract
Context
Assistive technologies have been identified by researchers and public policies of the Western world to be promising tools to face the challenge of maintaining quality of life of older people, and especially for nursing home habitants. Independence, autonomy, and participation are major determinants of quality of life of nursing homes habitants. Maintaining quality of life is nowadays a priority for public health policies and institutions of the where the population is growing older every year.
Method
This PRISMA-ScR review aims to determine which assistive technologies are used to promote autonomy, independence, and social participation of nursing home habitants. An electronic search was conducted for English, French articles to identify research studies using CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Googlescholar.
Results
12 papers published between 2009 and 2023 described 6 assistive technologies: technologies integrated into the environment, monitoring technologies, surveillance technologies, information and communication technology, social assistance robots, virtual reality. Six types of AT are currently used worldwide to maintain autonomy, independence and participation of people living in nursing homes. Their use is mainly perceived as positive by habitants, care and non-care staff, next of kin, and experts despite some concerns regarding ethical, financial, consideration.
Discussion
Nevertheless, their impact on habitant’s autonomy, independence and participation still needs to be measured using suitable tools to understand their real impact on the quality of life of the elderly.
IMPLICATION FOR REHABILITATION
Autonomy is a determinant of Quality of life of nursing home habitants that is well identified by habitants, professionals, relatives and public health policies as a major challenge that can be supported by assistive technology (AT).
Various technologies are used for which it is assumed that they have an impact on the user autonomy in the context of nursing home. Nevertheless, their impact on habitant’s autonomy, independence and participation is not clear yet because the concepts are not precisely defined leading to a difficulty to assess the phenomenon. It is still needed to define and measure AT impact on autonomy, independence, and participation by using suitable tools that will help to understand their real impact on the elderly’s’ quality of life.
There is a lack of knowledge regarding AT effectiveness is lacking in the context of nursing home but in the context of aging in general. Strong methodologies with mixed-method approaches might be relevant to address this gap of knowledge, particularly on elderly level of autonomy, independence of participation.
Determinants of AT acceptability by all users (habitants themselves, relatives, care and non-care staff) are largely explored, revealing 3 categories: 1-General principles that can be considered by developers and institution while developing, choosing and deploying AT (affordability, ethical consideration, social Justice); 2-Characteristics that has to be considered during AT conception regarding suitable design and technical reliability (no bugs, failure); 3- Individual anticipated implementation principles taking in account 4 main elements: Considering individual relationship with AT; A space for exchange on representations and fears around AT; Support to learn how to use AT; and Perceived effectiveness of AT.
Regarding the complexity of AT acceptation in the context of nursing homes, it seems essential to use collaborative approaches to design and develop AT, bringing diverse stakeholders together who have the same goal: maintaining quality of life of nursing home habitants.
Disclosure statement
This research was conducted in the context of a collaboration convention (CIFRE) between Hoppen France®, The Living Lab Aging and Vulnerabilities of the University Hospital of Rennes, and the University of Rennes 2, and supported by the French ministry of higher education and research.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Marielle André
Marielle André is a PhD student at the University of Rennes 2 (psychology Laboratory: Cognition, Behavior, and Communication), the Living Lab Ageing and Vulnerability and Hoppen, alumni of the European Master in Occupation Science. Her topics of interest are focussed on technology development, implementation, and evaluation linked with Ageing and prevention, intergenerational relationships, Participatory Research and Science. As an occupational therapist, she also has a strong interest in pedagogy in relation to occupational science and occupational therapy. She is an active member of the French national association where she participates as co-editor of the French Journal of Occupational Therapy, and the national journal.
Jérémy Enez
Jérémy Enez is a French Phd Student. He got a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (2012-2015) from the Occupational Therapy School of Rennes (France). He worked in nursing homes between 2015 and 2022. In 2020, he did a university diploma about pressure ulcer at Lyon University (France). Right after this, he got a Master of neuroscience of movement at Creteil University (France). Now, he works simultaneously in the Living Lab of University Hospital and in the Occupational Therapy School (Rennes - France). His thesis is about usability of medical device and pressure ulcer care in nursing homes.
Kevin Charras
Kevin Charras, M.Psych, Ph.D is a researcher in psychology with interests in psychosocial and architectural interventions for people living with dementia. He is head of the Aging and Vulnerabilities Living lab at Rennes University Hospital, his research and academic interests also address innovation implementation in the medical sector.
Maud Besançon
Maud Besançon, Ph.D, is full professor in differential psychology at University Rennes 2 (psychology Laboratory: Cognition, Behavior, and Communication). Her research focuses on 21st century skills (creativity and critical thinking) and on high intellectual and creative potential. These studies focus on the questions of the evaluation and of the factors (internal and external to the individual) influencing their skills, their development. She is co-authors of the “Evaluation of Potential of Creativity” with Todd Lubart and Baptiste Barbot. She is the main author of the book titled “Children’s creativity: Assessment and Development”.
Sylvain Delouvée
Sylvain Delouvée, Ph.D, is an Associate Professor at Rennes 2 University (psychology Laboratory: Cognition, Behavior, and Communication). His research focuses on the interaction between social and psychological factors influencing social thinking, beliefs and behaviours when individuals or groups encounter situations that may be perceived as uncertain, risky or extreme. He has particular interests in the processes of social and cognitive adaptation to environmental, health biological, or societal risks (e.g. climate change, emerging infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, vaccine hesitancy, terrorism and radicalization) and to uncertainties related to these situations.