Use of information technology to support the oral care of older people living at home

Abstract

The use of eHealth has increased rapidly in recent years and is also being deployed in several ways in care for older people. Little is still known, however, about the use and acceptance of oral care related applications of eHealth by older people. By means of interviews, qualitative research was carried out on the use of digital devices and the needs of older people living at home for oral care related information and instruction via eHealth. Results indicate that older people are technically capable of receiving and making use of this information via eHealth. Slightly more than half of those questioned were interested in receiving this information via an eHealth app. It was considered to be useful when reduced mobility hindered visits to the dentist. Furthermore, those questioned expressed the opinion that the healthcare they are familiar with and the personal contacts should not be replaced by unfamiliar digital alternatives.