In order to help healthcare professionals, sift through the labyrinth market of new and exciting digital technologies available to assist older adults age in their preferred environment, researchers at the Centre de recherche Institut Universitaire de Geriatrie de Montreal (CRIUGM) developed a tool to help select appropriate digital aids and technologies for older adults and their caregivers.
Researchers in rehabilitation science, Nathalie Bier, PhD, School of Rehabilitation, University of Montreal, and Patricia Belchior, PhD, School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, and their research teams, located at the CRIUGM, spent the last few years curating this list, taking into consideration the availability of products for Quebec and Canadian residents. The resulting inventory, intended to be used as a guide rather than a recommendation, will be useful to gather a set of available technologies specific to the client’s needs. According to Professors Bier and Belchior, the hope is that this insight into the technological sphere can improve the quality of life of older adults as well as be a useful resource to clinical practice.
The Inventory of Technologies to Support Aging in Place tool covers a range of new digital technologies addressing sleep habits, medication management, communication, mobility aids, and assistance with daily activities in the home environment. The tool is available in English or French and the technologies listed are all available in Quebec and Canada to encourage clinical use of the resource locally.
