Technology and the Challenge of Aging
The aging of populations is a global phenomenon. At the present time, approximately 10 % of the world’s population are aged 60 years and over, but the proportion is projected to increase to about 20 % by 2050. While the population worldwide is growing at
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Technology and the Challenge of Aging Andrew Sixsmith
2.1
Introduction
The aging of populations is a global phenomenon. At the present time, approximately 10 % of the world’s population are aged 60 years and over, but the proportion is projected to increase to about 20 % by 2050. While the population worldwide is growing at around 1 % per annum, the number of people aged over 80 is growing at 4 % per annum. Moreover, the phenomenon of population aging is not limited to the developed countries. Currently 64 % of older people live in less developed regions, but this figure will rise to 80 % by 2050 (HelpAge International, 2012). The aging of the population presents many challenges, not least how services can be improved in order to enhance the health and quality of life of older people in an era of strained financial resources. In this context, information and communication technologies (ICTs) are viewed as having a huge potential. ICTs for older people have emerged as a major component of research and development (R&D) programs worldwide (Sixsmith, 2012). For example, the European Union’s Ambient Assisted Living Joint Program has invested significantly as part of a social inclusion agenda to improve access and uptake of ICT-based products and services by disadvantaged groups, such as older people, and to exploit the opportunities this brings for European industry (EU, 2007). There is growing evidence from evaluation research that technological supports can bring about significant benefits for older people, while at the same time improving the cost-effectiveness of health and social services (Bowles & Baugh, 2007; DH, 2011; Pare, Jaana, & Sicotte, 2007). However, the research has so far been limited in terms of real-world products and services (Meyer, Muller, & Kubitschke, 2012). This chapter is an attempt to provide an agenda of research on technology and aging by firstly identifying A. Sixsmith (*) Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University, Harbour Centre, #2800-515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 5K3 e-mail: [email protected] A. Sixsmith and G. Gutman (eds.), Technologies for Active Aging, International Perspectives on Aging, DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-8348-0_2, © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
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opportunities for technologies for seniors and secondly by articulating some of the key challenges that will need to be addressed if the full potential of ICTs is to be exploited.
2.2
Heterogeneity and Old Age
One of the limitations of much of the research and technological development in recent years has been the way old age has been perceived and how ageist assumptions appear to have been translated into the agendas for ICTs. Old age is often seen in negative terms, equated with ill-health and disability. However, this stereotype of old age contrasts with the high degree of heterogeneity within the older population. If the potential of ICTs is to be fully exploited in terms of developing new products and services, the opportunities afforded by a growing and di
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