Centre for Policy on Ageing



Beyond telecare — the future of independent living
Author(s)	Charles Lowe
Journal title	Journal of Assistive Technologies, vol 3, no 1, March 2009
Pages	pp 21-23
Source	http://www.pavilionjournals.com
Keywords	Assistive technology ; Isolation ; Depression ; Independence ; Living in the community.
Annotation	This paper is an argument for a more holistic approach to independent living. Telecare and telehealth, as these services are being delivered in practice, risk increasing the isolation of vulnerable people. Though undesirable in its own right, this isolation often leads to depression, which in turn typically increases the costs of medical treatment substantially. The resultant lack of mental stimulation also creates the conditions for earlier onset of dementia. Finally, loss of identity exacerbates both depression and lack of stimulation. To overcome these problems, the technology should be used to encourage users of telecare and telehealth to maintain and extend their engagement with wider society to promote - rather than restrict - their mobility. (KJ/RH).
Accession Number	CPA-090527208 A
Classmark	M: TP: ENR: C3: K4
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.