The contribution of home-based technology to older people's quality of life in extra care housing

BMC Geriatrics

Research Article

Kevin McKee¹  Stuart G Parker²  Hossein Matlabi³ 

[1] School of Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, 791 88, Falun, Sverige, Sweden;Gerontology Centre, Dalarna Research Institute, Myntgatan 2, 79151, Falun, Sweden;Sheffield Institute for Studies on Ageing, The University of Sheffield, 217 Portobello, S1 4DP, Sheffield, UK;The Medical Education Research Centre, R & D Campus, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Daneshgah Ave., P.C.: 5165665811, Tabriz, Iran;Department of Health Education and Promotion, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, P.C.: 5166614711, Tabriz, Iran;

关键词: Home-Based Technology;    Older People;    Assistive Technology;    Quality of Life;    Well-Being;    Extra Care Housing;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2318-11-68

 received in 2010-12-13, accepted in 2011-10-31,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundBritish government policy for older people focuses on a vision of active ageing and independent living. In the face of diminishing personal capacities, the use of appropriate home-based technology (HBT) devices could potentially meet a wide range of needs and consequently improve many aspects of older people's quality of life such as physical health, psychosocial well-being, social relationships, and their physical or living environment. This study aimed to examine the use of HBT devices and the correlation between use of such devices and quality of life among older people living in extra-care housing (ECH).MethodsA structured questionnaire was administered for this study. Using purposive sampling 160 older people living in extra-care housing schemes were selected from 23 schemes in England. A face-to-face interview was conducted in each participant's living unit. In order to measure quality of life, the SEIQoL-Adapted and CASP-19 were used.ResultsAlthough most basic appliances and emergency call systems were used in the living units, communally provided facilities such as personal computers, washing machines, and assisted bathing equipment in the schemes were not well utilised. Multiple regression analysis adjusted for confounders including age, sex, marital status, living arrangement and mobility use indicated a coefficient of 1.17 with 95% CI (0.05, 2.29) and p = 0.04 [SEIQoL-Adapted] and 2.83 with 95% CI (1.17, 4.50) and p = 0.001 [CASP-19].ConclusionsThe findings of the present study will be value to those who are developing new form of specialised housing for older people with functional limitations and, in particular, guiding investments in technological aids. The results of the present study also indicate that the home is an essential site for developing residential technologies.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Matlabi et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011