Using Pervasive Computing for Sustainable Healthcare in an Aging Population

2018 ◽  
pp. 187-202
Author(s):  
Adam Ka Lok Wong ◽  
Man Fung Lo
Keyword(s):  
Pervasive Computing ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Light Weight ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Wearable Electronic ◽  
Wearable Electronic Devices

Statistics have shown that not only the proportion of elderly as part of the world's population is growing, but there also is a growing deficit of the working population compared to the retired population. Therefore, the provision for age-related medical conditions will put a heavy pressure on the healthcare system. This chapter discusses how pervasive computing can be used to help to achieve sustainability in healthcare for the elderly. Mobile devices can facilitate old adults to actively seek for health and nutrition information, beware of their vital signs, and follow an active life style in a safe manner. Light-weight wearable electronic devices can provide acute care and rehabilitation services to the elderly without causing a big impact to their quality of life. A model is suggested to integrate the use of pervasive computing in health education, health management, doctor support, and monitored rehabilitation at home.

scholarly journals Twelve Smartphone Applications for Health Management of Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10235
Author(s):  
Seong Kyu Ha ◽  
Hey Sig Lee ◽  
Hae Yean Park
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Medication Management ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Smartphone Applications ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Nutrition Management ◽  
Health And Nutrition

This study investigated smartphone applications that may be helpful in managing the health of the elderly during COVID-19. The application searched the seven areas of health management, newly classified in OTPF 4th edition with keywords in the Google Play Store. As a result, two applications meeting the selection criteria were selected for each area. The selected applications are social and emotional health promotion and maintenance: Wysa & MindDoc, symptom and condition management: Ada & Diseases Dictionary, communication with the health care system: Telehealth & Blood Pressure Diary, medication management: Medisafe & MyTherapy, physical activity: FitOn & Samsung Health, nutrition management: Lifesum & Health and Nutrition Guide. Through the analyzed applications, twelve applications with the potential to improve the health management and quality of life in older adults during social distancing or self-isolation due to COVID-19 were identified.

scholarly journals Monitoring Health Parameters of Elders to Support Independent Living and Improve Their Quality of Life

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 517
Author(s):  
Ilia Adami ◽  
Michalis Foukarakis ◽  
Stavroula Ntoa ◽  
Nikolaos Partarakis ◽  
Nikolaos Stefanakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Health And Well Being

Improving the well-being and quality of life of the elderly population is closely related to assisting them to effectively manage age-related conditions such as chronic illnesses and anxiety, and to maintain their independence and self-sufficiency as much as possible. This paper presents the design, architecture and implementation structure of an adaptive system for monitoring the health and well-being of the elderly. The system was designed following best practices of the Human-Centred Design approach involving representative end-users from the early stages.

scholarly journals Sarcopenia, obesity, osteoporosis and old age

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 23-35
Author(s):  
S. V. Topolyanskaya
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Visceral Fat Accumulation ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Diagnostic Approaches

Modern concepts about body composition in the elderly are described in the review. Particular attention is paid to possible causes and pathogenetic aspects of sarcopenia, as well as modern diagnostic approaches to its recognition. The ageing process is inevitably combined with diverse changes in body composition. This age-related evolution can be described by three main processes: a decrease in the growth and mineral density of bone tissue (osteopenia and osteoporosis); progressive decrease in muscle mass; an increase in adipose tissue (sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity) with its redistribution towards central and visceral fat accumulation. Sarcopenia and osteoporosis are considered the main geriatric syndromes. These pathological conditions contribute to a significant decrease in the quality of life in the elderly; create conditions for the loss of independence and require long-term care, increase the frequency of hospitalizations and ultimately result in adverse outcomes.

Preventing Alzheimer's Wandering

2019 ◽  
pp. 77-89
Author(s):  
Sara Paiva ◽  
Rui Peleja ◽  
Jorge Cunha ◽  
Carlos Abreu
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Brain Disorder ◽  
Age Related

With increased life expectancy, the incidence of age-related cognitive impairments, faced by the elderly and older generations, is growing. Among the population with cognitive impairments, those that suffer from Alzheimer's disease are the most common. The Alzheimer's disease is a chronic degenerative brain disorder that is characterised by a failure of memory and, in some instances, by disorders in language, perception and planning. As a consequence of the progressive damages imposed by the illness, patients will increasingly seek and need assistance. This paper presents a tool to aid the development and managing of caregiving communities, comprising immediate family members, relatives, neighbours and healthcare professionals, to assist patients with Alzheimer's disease. Such communities could have a strong impact on the quality of care provided to the patients. At the same time, it is hoped that involving communities will significantly improve the quality of life of Alzheimer's patients and their families while reducing the costs related to the care provided.

scholarly journals Age-related Smell and Taste Impairments and Vitamin D Associations in the U.S. Adults National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 984
Author(s):  
Galya Bigman
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
National Health ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
Nutrition Examination Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Us

Smell and taste decline with aging, and markedly deteriorate when nutritional deficiencies occur. This study aims to examine the associations between Vitamin D (VD) deficiency and smell and taste impairments among adults. This paper details a cross-sectional study utilizing data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2013–2014.). Smell impairment was assessed by the Pocket Smell Test and defined as failing to correctly identify six or more of the eight odors. Taste impairment was defined as failing to correctly identify quinine or sodium chloride. VD was measured as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin. Multivariable weighted logistic regressions were utilized. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were presented. Overall, 2216 (smell sample) and 2636 (taste sample) participants were included, aged between 40 and 80 years old. Of those, 18.3% had taste impairment, 12.2% had smell impairment, and 20% had VD deficiency (<20 ng/mL). Compared to participants with sufficient VD (>30 ng/mL), those with VD deficiency were more likely by 39% to report a higher prevalence of smell impairment (OR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.02–1.89); and only participants aged 70–80 years with VD inadequacy (20–30 ng/mL) were more likely by 96% to report a higher prevalence of taste impairment (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.35–1.85). VD may have a significant role in age-related smell impairment in adults aged 40 years or older, and in age-related taste impairment in the elderly aged 70–80 years.

scholarly journals Study of adverse drug reactions and clinical profile of elderly in relation to polypharmacy

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 80-84
Author(s):  
Nagaraja BS ◽  
Keerthana Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adverse Drug Reactions ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Drug Reactions ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Improve Compliance ◽  
Clinical Conditions

Background: Polypharmacy is a becoming more prevalent in older adults and adverse risk increases with age-related change. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common in older adults and worrisome aspect of treatment in elderly. Aims and Objective: The study aimed to identify the common clinical conditions leading to polypharmacy and to compare the adverse drug profiles of the 2 groups. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Hospitals attached to BMCRI, where 200 patients aged 65 or more were interviewed. 100 elderly patients using 5 or more drugs were identified as cases and assessed against a control group of 100 patients. Results: Our study found that ADRs were found to be three times higher in individuals on polypharmacy compared to the control group (OR 3.4675 95% CI 1.6241 to 7.4035). The most commonly occurring ADRs were dyspepsia (OR 1.9259), drowsiness (OR 3.5926) and fatigue (OR 1.5319) with increased incidence in the case group. The most common conditions associated with polypharmacy were found to be hypertension (53%), diabetes mellitus(46%), COPD(14%) and IHD(14%). 66% of the study group had two or more of the above diseases, whereas in the control group only 32% had multiple illnesses. The most commonly prescribed medications were antihypertensives (61%), hypolipidemics (44%), antiplatelets (41%) and antibiotics(40%). Conclusion: Polypharmacy in the elderly comes with a significant increase in adverse effects. The reduced pill burden will not only decrease ADRs and improve compliance, but will also result in greater patient satisfaction and mental health, thereby improving the quality of geriatric care.

scholarly journals Micronutrients and ageing: intakes and requirements

1999 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 573-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Jeanne Richard ◽  
Anne-Marie Roussel
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Sujet Âgé ◽  
Accelerated Ageing ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Micronutrient Status ◽  
Combined Supplementation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Antioxidant Micronutrient ◽  
Significant Factors

Ageing (and related diseases) may be described as a process which results from impaired immunological, genetic, neurological or endocrinological functions. Oxidative mechanisms may play an important role in the ageing process. It is important, therefore, to emphasize the relationship between health and nutrition in the elderly, particularly with regard to antioxidant micronutrient requirements. Indeed, accelerated ageing may be related to a deficit in the intakes of antioxidant vitamins (tocopherols, carotenoids and vitamin C) and trace elements (Zn and Se), as well as to an impaired adaptative mechanism against oxidative stress. Physiological modifications occurring during the lifetime and environmental influences are significant factors contributing to the impairment of micronutrient status, and these factors have to be considered when defining the specific requirements of the elderly. For Fe there is no evidence of benefit of supplementation in healthy subjects, but in the present state of knowledge combined supplementation, including Zn, Se, vitamins C and E and carotenoids, could be the best way to prevent accelerated ageing and reduce the risk of several common age-related diseases. Résumé De nombreuses théories (immunologique, génétique et neuroendocrinologique) ont été proposées pour expliquer les processus de vieillissement et les pathologies qui s’y rapportent. Les mécanismes oxydatifs pourraient contribuer à ces processus et plus particulièrement à leur accélération. La théorie radicalaire repose sur une modification avec l’âge du rapport prooxydants ou antioxydants dû à une majoration des processus oxydatifs accompagnés d’une diminution des systèmes de défense subséquentes à une carence en un ou plusieurs micronutriments antioxydants. Les modifications physiologiques qui accompagnent le vieillisement et une alimentation sélective contribuent aux modifications d’apport et d’absorption des micronutriments. Ces altérations sont accentuées lors de pathologies chroniques. Il n’existe pas de réel consensus sur les recommandations d’apports en oligoéléments adaptés au sujet âgé. Néanmoins les études récentes montrent qu’une association zinc, sélénium, vitamines antioxydantes (vitamines A et E et caroténodes) pourrait être le moyen le plus efficace de lutte contre les pathologies du grand âge et également de prévention du vieillissement accéléré.

scholarly journals Causes and Mechanisms of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Aging

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jungwoon Lee ◽  
Suk Yoon ◽  
Inpyo Choi ◽  
Haiyoung Jung
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cell Aging ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Stem Cell Aging ◽  
Related Stress

Many elderly people suffer from hematological diseases known to be highly age-dependent. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain the immune system by producing all blood cells throughout the lifetime of an organism. Recent reports have suggested that HSCs are susceptible to age-related stress and gradually lose their self-renewal and regeneration capacity with aging. HSC aging is driven by cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic factors that result in the disruption of the immune system. Thus, the study of HSC aging is important to our understanding of age-related immune diseases and can also provide potential strategies to improve quality of life in the elderly. In this review, we delineate our understanding of the phenotypes, causes, and molecular mechanisms involved in HSC aging.

scholarly journals Bone and Muscle Crosstalk in Aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen He ◽  
Wenzhen He ◽  
Jing Hou ◽  
Kaixuan Chen ◽  
Mei Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Bone Mineral Density ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Bone Cells ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Extracellular Vesicle ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Changes

Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are two age-related diseases that affect the quality of life in the elderly. Initially, they were thought to be two independent diseases; however, recently, increasing basic and clinical data suggest that skeletal muscle and bone are both spatially and metabolically connected. The term “osteosarcopenia” is used to define a condition of synergy of low bone mineral density with muscle atrophy and hypofunction. Bone and muscle cells secrete several factors, such as cytokines, myokines, and osteokines, into the circulation to influence the biological and pathological activities in local and distant organs and cells. Recent studies reveal that extracellular vesicles containing microRNAs derived from senescent skeletal muscle and bone cells can also be transported and aid in regulating bone-muscle crosstalk. In this review, we summarize the age-related changes in the secretome and extracellular vesicle-microRNAs secreted by the muscle and bone, and discuss their interactions between muscle and bone cells during aging.

scholarly journals The concept of quality of life in dementia in the different stages of the disease

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teake P. Ettema ◽  
Rose-Marie Dröes ◽  
Jacomine de Lange ◽  
Marcel E. Ooms ◽  
Gideon J. Mellenbergh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Multidimensional Evaluation ◽  
Specific Concept ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Individual

In order to conceptually define quality of life (QOL) in dementia, the literature on QOL in the elderly population, in chronic disease and in dementia was studied. Dementia is a progressive, age-related, chronic condition and to avoid omissions within the dementia-specific concept of QOL, a broad orientation was the preferred approach in this literature study. Adaptation is a major outcome in studies investigating interventions aimed at improving QOL in chronic conditions, but to date, it has not been used in the definition of QOL. It is argued that adaptation is an important indication of QOL in people with chronic diseases and therefore also in dementia. Some crucial issues in assessing dementia-related QOL that are relevant to clarify the continuing debate on whether QOL, particularly in dementia, can be measured at all, are discussed. Then the following conceptual definition is offered: dementia-specific QOL is the multidimensional evaluation of the person–environment system of the individual, in terms of adaptation to the perceived consequences of the dementia.

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