Information and communication technology (ICT) can potentially support older adults in making decisions and increase their involvement in decision-making processes. Although the range of technical products has expanded in various areas of society, knowledge is lacking on the influence that ICT has on older adults’ decision-making in everyday situations. Based on the literature, we aimed to provide an overview of the role of ICT in home-dwelling older adults’ decision-making in relation to health, and health and social care services. A scoping review of articles published between 2010 and 2020 was undertaken by searching five electronic databases. Finally, 12 articles using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method designs were included. The articles were published in journals representing biology and medicine, nursing, informatics, and computer science. A majority of the articles were published in the last five years, and most articles came from European countries. The results are presented in three categories: (i) form and function of ICT for decision-making, (ii) perceived value and effect of ICT for decision-making, and (iii) factors influencing ICT use for decision-making. According to our findings, ICT for decision-making in relation to health, and health and social care services was more implicitly described than explicitly described, and we conclude that more research on this topic is needed. Future research should engage older adults and health professionals in developing technology based on their needs. Further, factors that influence older adults’ use of ICT should be evaluated to ensure that it is successfully integrated into their daily lives.

The number of young adults not in employment, education or training has increased globally and socially withdrawn young people have proven difficult to support. Therefore, this study aimed to explore what factors social workers and health care professionals find more successful in supporting socially withdrawn young adults. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2018 with 13 employees (nine women, four men between 35 and 60 years) from social services and outpatient psychiatric clinics in Sweden. Data were analysed using thematic network analysis. The results revealed that the participants tended to associate the issues of young adults with difficulties related to transition into adulthood and that successful factors to re-engage these young adults were based on an empowerment-oriented perspective. The focus needed to be on the young individual's strengths and interventions had to be conducted in collaboration with different authorities (e.g. social services, employment agencies and schools). This study shows that a successful intervention to break the isolation of socially withdrawn young adults and meet their complex needs calls for early identification, an integrated and holistic approach, multifaceted interventions and individually tailored and flexible activities.