Practical Implementation of Gerontechnology Smart Products: Product Suitability Assessment

Abstract

Because of the critical importance to national healthcare of developing and applying smart technologies to address the needs of Taiwan's rapidly aging society, "gerontechnology" is an industry sector that must be promoted to achieve related policy goals. The scope of technologies involved in gerontechnology is broad, with the application of smart technology often the focus of industrial development. The most crucial feature of gerontechnology-related "smart" products is the collection, analysis, and feedback of target data in the application process necessary to facilitate the provision of "precision" aged care. The application of smart technology to meet the rapidly increasing life and care needs of older adults in aging societies is increasingly valued worldwide. However, the practical implementation of smart technology in aged care is still not widespread, and thus represents an urgent problem to be solved. There are many aspects to consider in the practical application of gerontechnology, among which caregivers are the key to practical application, with product suitability being the first concern of caregivers. In this article, a process is proposed to allow caregivers to assess the suitability of gerontechnology smart products in terms of "data sensing and transmission," "indicator identification and analysis," "event prediction and feedback," and "intervention measures." Based on the World Health Organization's concept of implementing research in healthcare, decision-making evaluation indicators for product selection and a product suitability questionnaire for institutional care are proposed with the goal of providing a practical tool for care institutions to assess the suitability of gerontechnology smart products.