Caring by telecare? A hermeneutic study of experiences among older adults and their family caregivers

Abstract

Aims and objectives To obtain a deeper understanding of the persistent use of telecare for older adults and their family caregivers. Background Telecare is seen as part of the solution in home care services for ageing in place. Previous studies have shown that telecare is a complex intervention, and there is still a poor understanding of older adults’ and their family caregivers’ experience with the use of telecare. Design This study used a qualitative hermeneutic research approach. Method Interviews were conducted with 18 older adults and follow‐up interviews were conducted with 15 participants after 5–6 months of use. In addition, interviews were conducted with seven close family caregivers. The COREQ checklist was used. Results The older adults expressed increased safety, security and independence. Although some of them experienced challenges, they continued to use the services. Furthermore, the findings revealed needs that telecare could not cover. Family caregivers reported that telecare eased their concern for a time. However, they felt increased responsibility which led to ambivalent feelings between wanting to comply with the older adults’ desire to live at home and the stress and concern this caused. Conclusion Telecare does improve care offered by home care services. However, it must be considered in the context of assistance and other measures and be provided in response to each individual's specific needs. Family caregivers may benefit from telecare, but telecare may also add to their care burden. Relevance to clinical practice There is a need for increased knowledge and information about telecare and for follow‐up from home care services. Family caregivers are important for promoting sustainable use, but a support system and better cooperation with home care services is needed.

Utilization Barriers and Medical Outcomes Commensurate With the Use of Telehealth Among Older Adults: Systematic Review

“…The most common theme for medical outcomes associated with telehealth interventions was decrease in psychological distress (decrease in anxiety symptoms, decrease in depressive symptoms, decrease in embitterment, decrease in grief, decrease in worry, decrease in loneliness, increase in emotional support, and increase in mood), with 21 of 118 (18%) occurrences [ 32 , 42 , 46 , 51 , 60 , 68 , 70 , 71 , 76 ]. The theme associated with quality of life factors was listed as an increase in autonomy (increase in locus of control, increase in autonomy, increase in responsibility, increase in motivation to self-manage, and increase in independence), with 18 of 118 (15%) occurrences [ 29 , 34 , 35 , 46 , 48 , 52 - 54 , 56 , 62 , 67 , 75 , 76 ]. One theme was associated with an increase in cognitive ability (increase in skill ability, increase in sensory organization, increase in memory, increase in cognitive activity, and increase in reasoning), with 11 of 118 (9%) occurrences [ 19 , 20 , 23 , 32 , 41 , 42 , 60 ].…”

“…The theme lack of technical support included the following: my friends or family are not able to help me, I do not understand the interface, etc [ 14 , 28 , 34 , 58 , 63 - 65 , 73 , 74 ]. The theme visual acuity included the following: fonts or icons are too small, color contrast, etc [ 4 , 27 , 29 , 37 , 59 , 61 , 73 ]. The next observation was a surprise to our reviewing team; the theme was social implications of using a telemonitoring device (I do not want to bother a first responder, I do not want a stranger coming to my house, I do not want anyone coming to my house late at night, I had a bad experience the last time I used the telemonitoring device, I do not want my neighbor to overhear me using this thing, I do not have my own email, I do not understand social media, etc) [ 14 , 28 , 29 , 49 , 56 , 58 , 64 , 66 ].…”

“…The theme visual acuity included the following: fonts or icons are too small, color contrast, etc [ 4 , 27 , 29 , 37 , 59 , 61 , 73 ]. The next observation was a surprise to our reviewing team; the theme was social implications of using a telemonitoring device (I do not want to bother a first responder, I do not want a stranger coming to my house, I do not want anyone coming to my house late at night, I had a bad experience the last time I used the telemonitoring device, I do not want my neighbor to overhear me using this thing, I do not have my own email, I do not understand social media, etc) [ 14 , 28 , 29 , 49 , 56 , 58 , 64 , 66 ]. The next theme was ownership of technology (no phone, no computer, no internet access, etc) [ 5 , 19 , 28 , 34 , 38 , 58 , 76 ].…”

Using Neighborhood Rough Set Theory to Address the Smart Elderly Care in Multi-Level Attributes

“…In addition, the condition attribute of daily care is also an important factor to consider. (6) The results show that the condition attribute of decency of the new elderly care system also has a certain impact on the adoption of smart services. Contemporary society needs to take the essence and discard the dross of traditional ideas change the traditional ideas, such as raising children for old age and publicize new smart services with the progress of society, and the development of intelligent technology.…”

“…Nearly 180 million elderly people suffer from chronic diseases and 40 million disabled people need professional care. Insufficient resources for the elderly and the problem of aging have increasingly serious, and the smart elderly care industry has gradually developed with the advent of the tide of silver hair and technology [5,6]. Smart elderly care refers to the use of advanced information technology to develop the Internet of things system platform for the elderly at home communities and institutions and to provide real-time fast, efficient Internet of Things and smart services.…”