Technocare, the Elderly and Disability: A Study of Transformations in Models of Care

Abstract

The increasing care needs of an ageing disabled population and older people who become disabled due to the ageing process itself raises the issue of insufficient care and the need for a social reorganization of care between the State, families, the market and civil society. Current research on care focuses on perspectives where technology can play an important role. Technology designed to enhance care and self-care helps to promote the participation of older people in society. The authors participated and present a line of research developed in Spain that analyses whether technology is being used as a model that reproduces care practices with a welfare approach or as a phenomenon that facilitates a social model of disability that contributes to greater autonomy of the elderly in carrying out daily activities, self-determination, and where the community context plays a more critical role, as has been recommended by supranational organizations. Educating seniors about digital literacy is important, as is advancing research by collaborating with seniors to co-design technology for care and self-care.