SCIE Research briefing 28: Assistive technology and older people

See the full article

Key messages

• The term ‘assistive technology’ incorporates
  a wide variety of devices.
• Assistive technology
  can be supportive, preventive or responsive.
• The
  increasing proportion of older people in the
  population makes the use of assistive technology
  an attractive option in social services.
• Perceptions
  vary as to whether or not assistive technology
  has sufficient benefits.
• Existing research
  supports the greater use of assistive technology
  but further evaluation and ‘local learning’ is
  needed.
• The views and needs of people
  using assistive technology need to be taken into
  account.

This briefing will focus on various forms of assistive
technology (AT) supplied to people over the age
of 65. AT can be defined as ‘...an umbrella
term for any device or system that allows an individual
to perform a task they would otherwise be unable
to do or increases the ease and safety with which
the task can be performed.’ (1)