IOM: Technology Aids Senior Care

HDM Breaking News, April 14, 2008

The nation’s health care system is woefully unprepared to care for baby boomers, who will start to reach age 65 in just three years, according to a major new report from the Institute of Medicine. Among the report’s many conclusions is that assistive technologies should be used to improve the quality of life and care in the home.

“Several studies demonstrate, for instance, that the use of assistive devices can reduce the hours of personal assistance that older adults require in their daily activities,” according to the report. “One study found that people who needed assistance with activities of daily living and who did not use any assistive devices required an average of four additional hours of personal care per week compared with individuals who did employ the devices. With newer technologies on the horizon, it may be possible to make even further reductions in the amount of personal assistance required.”

Assistive technologies range from walkers and canes to telemonitoring, which can improve compliance with medication and treatment regimens and detect if a homebound person needs immediate help. “In addition to increasing patient safety, this type of communication system has been shown in one study to reduce hospital stays, reduce demand for home care services and assist in relieving caregiver stress,” according to the report.

The report, “Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce,” is available at iom.edu.

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