S3E2 Aging in Place

In light of the considerable cost of elder care, many individuals choose to take on the challenging role of caregiver for their aging parents. Altman herself has recently stepped into this position, and although her expertise has granted her some advantages in the process, she recognizes the many potential stressors involved. Caring for the elderly isn’t simply about sharing a living space; there are often medical needs such as wound or post-surgical care that become part of the caregiver’s responsibility. Altman thoughtfully acknowledges the added financial and technical burden of skilled medical care, and points out the shortage of home care providers capable of administering such care. 

Ducharme sees the lack of home care resources as a major oversight. According to Ducharme, the funding philosophy of many health systems and payers tends to focus on value-adding solutions that exist in controlled environments like the hospital. However, it’s much cheaper to manage health proactively in the home; thus investing in home care could actually cut costs by reducing hospital readmissions and overall healthcare spending. 

Still, home care is not without its limitations. Ducharme tells viewers that “the biggest misconception about home care is that the main issue is changing the location of care delivery. In reality, the challenge is how to build the care model into not only the home but also the lifestyle.” Integrating healthcare into the home environment is one thing, but weaving the care model into the daily lives of elders and caretakers is a trial of its own. Compounding these obstacles is the lack of available caregivers and the relatively low wages for geriatric care. Nonetheless, investing in and expanding home care remains a promising frontier for improving health outcomes. 

Despite the numerous challenges involved in elder care, technology has brought about an abundance of real improvements and opportunities. Altman tells viewers that services like Amazon Prime have enabled her to access valuable caregiver tools to meet her needs, often at prices below $20. Giroux notes the promising reality that even people with severe cognitive deficits are able to incorporate technology into their lives in ways that enable them to age at home. Telehealth is another innovative approach that has had meaningful impacts on the elderly population; virtual visits allow elders to stay in their home while remaining connected to their care providers. These benefits are all the more valuable in the current moment, as elders and caregivers alike seek to maintain quality of life amid the restrictions of the pandemic. 

An important consideration in the development of new technologies for elder care is user experience. In order for caregivers and elders to accept and adopt technological means, there must be a clear addition of value. Furthermore, especially for older individuals unfamiliar with the digital world, simplicity is key. It’s critical to create solutions that feel familiar, intuitive, and effortless. An approach with significant potential is what Giroux calls the collaborative design model. According to Giroux, technology alone is not enough; solutions must be developed in a way that integrates both elder and caregiver insight. 

This collaborative approach involves interested parties every step of the way, adapting the user experience to the unique needs of each population. Moreover, Giroux emphasizes the importance of including specific training for both elders and caregivers in any technological application. By listening to and iterating on the demands of the consumer, this model facilitates the addition of real value through technological developments. 

Moving forward, each of our panelists has a vision for what the future should look like. Altman hopes that people will begin to approach old age with the same level of thoughtfulness and preparation with which they approach other life stages. By planning for and accepting the realities of aging, the process may become less overwhelming. Ducharme wishes to see increased acceptance and accessibility of technological resources, as he sees technology as a powerful way of scaling elder care. Finally, Giroux hopes to see a continued alliance between elders, caregivers, and developers, as he believes solution development should be a joint effort.

DHIT thanks its guests for serving on the panel, and everyone who tuned in! If you were not able to catch last week’s webinar, check out DHIT’s Media page to see what you missed. For more information, see the latest edition of the DHIT Digest, and mark your calendar for Friday, November 6th for the next installment of the DHIT Frequency Webinar Series, which will cover Virtual Pediatric Care. You can register NOW for the episode here. Until then, stay safe, everyone! 

Resources

• To view previous recordings, visit DHIT’s Media page here: https://www.dhitglobal.org/media/
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ABOUT DHIT

The Digital Health Institute for Transformation (DHIT)  is a non-profit education and research institute supporting organizations and communities through the process of digital health transformation. We collaborate with leading academic institutions, associations, and industry to cultivate talent and ecosystems with our immersive learning platform, harnessing real-world experiences that drive the adoption of next generation skills, emerging technologies, and mindsets needed to foster the digital health leaders and innovators of the future, today. For more information, visit dhitglobal.org.

ABOUT THE QUÉBEC GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN ATLANTA

The Québec Government Office in Atlanta opened its doors in 1978 to take advantage of the strong

growth of the southern United States. In addition to defending and advancing Québec’s interests, the mandate of the Québec Government Office in Atlanta is to develop and promote economic, political and institutional ties with the seven states in the region, that is, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. It also contributes to the activities of the Southeastern United States – Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS-CP), of which Québec is a founding member.