Effectiveness of Telecare in Elderly Populations–A Comparison of Three Settings

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to assess the level of satisfaction with 3 types of formal care systems of the elderly: (1) a day care center, (2) a nursing home, and (3) telecare service in a group of oldest frail elderly, and to describe the characteristics of the population using the services. The study involved a population of 162 oldest elderly using 3 different types of formal care services. Study participants were asked to complete a questionnaire, investigating socio-demographic characteristics and degree of overall satisfaction with the service, as well as eliciting possible suggestions for improvement. In our study, nearly all subjects using the telecare service were satisfied or very satisfied (98.5%), as compared to 75.3% of those residing in a nursing home, and 76.5% of those attending the day care center. This result confirms the findings of previous studies on elderly subjects satisfaction with telecare services. Telecare, therefore, seems to be the service achieving the greatest levels of satisfaction, a service that can also be used by low-income subjects, by whom it is also perceived as a source of social support.

Older Adults' Perceptions of Home Telehealth Services

“…For the older population, because of the rise of chronic disease and other age-related health disorders, HTS are a promising option for increasing life quality, decreasing healthcare costs, and offering more independent living. 4,5 This makes older adults the main target of efforts to implement HTS. 6 HTS include three main groups of services: home access to the healthcare system (access to personal health records); assisted living technologies; and remote patient monitoring and chronic disease management (vital signs measurement and online communication).…”

Principle‐based analysis of the concept of telecare

“…Demiris et al. (2000) and Onor et al. (2008) describe some activity from the patient, but in general, the patient is the receiver of the service and seems to be passive through the ongoing activity.…”

“…The caring perspective extends from being environmental (Bertera et al. 2007, Onor et al. 2008) to being specified as management, nursing, medical treatment, monitoring, counselling, recreation, housing, finances, leisure activities, and social‐, personal‐, and therapeutic support.…”

“…Home telecare allows the participants to have contact whenever they need it or according to schedules (Sävenstedt et al. 2004, Onor et al. 2008).…”

Home-Based Telepsychiatry and in-Home CBT for Management of Major Depression in HIV-Positive Adults 50 Years and Older: A Proof-of-Concept Study

“…A telehealth intervention may be a promising option for increasing life quality, decreasing healthcare costs, and maintaining more independent living, especially among older adults where there is a rise in chronic disease and other age-related conditions [33,34]. It may also provide a platform through which providers can gain access to care.…”