Technology for quality of life: an enriched taxonomy

Abstract

Urban, man-made environments are the most common living environments in the emerging knowledge-based society of the industrial world. A number of technology domains frame the urban setting that in turn frames the daily qualityof- life of man, including older persons. It is argued that the five domains of core ambitions in individuals most related to quality of life include: health and self-esteem, mobility and transport, housing and living, communication and governance, and work and leisure. A reanalysis of the theoretical basis for gerontechnology indicates that the impact of technology most related to these areas of application falls into four groups: enhancement and satisfaction, prevention and engagement, compensation and assistance, and care support and organisation. A matrix of domains and impacts provides a template that embodies an enriched taxonomy of the gerontechnological field. Using citations in this journal, the matrix is used to show the areas of greatest progress in the development over the past decade as well as the most promising areas of future development. Current changes in technology require an increase in the need for user-orientation in the choices related to technology development as well as dispersal as advocated by gerontechnology since its early days. Analysis of the advances and current gaps in the matrix elements may serve as a guiding principle for a sustainable development of technology for older persons and probably for society as a whole.