State of the Science Review
Technology for Long-Term Care

Research in Gerontological Nursing  Vol. 3 No. 1 January 2010

By Sunghee H. Tak, PhD, RN; Lazelle E. Benefield, PhD, RN, FAAN; Diane Feeney Mahoney, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN

ABSTRACT

Severe staff shortages in long-term care (LTC) make it difficult to meet the demands of the growing aging population. Further, technology-savvy Baby Boomers are expected to reshape the current institutional environments toward gaining more freedom and control in their care and lives. Voices from business, academia, research, advocacy organizations, and government bodies suggest that innovative technological approaches are the linchpin that may prepare society to cope with these projected demands. In this article, we review the current state of aging-related technology, identify potential areas for efficacy testing on improving the quality of life of LTC residents in future research, and discuss barriers to implementation of LTC technology. Finally, we present a vision of future technology use that could transform current care practices.

AUTHORS

Dr. Tak is Associate Professor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Nursing, Little Rock, Arkansas; Dr. Benefield is Professor and Parry Chair in Gerontological Nursing, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, College of Nursing, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Dr. Mahoney is Jacques Mohr Research Professor in Geriatric Nursing and Director of Gerontechnology, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, School of Nursing, Boston, Massachusetts.

The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. Dr. Tak and Dr. Benefield are fellows in the Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity (BAGNC) program, supported by the John A. Hartford Foundation and Atlantic Philanthropies. This work was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease Centers (grant 5 P 30 AG 19606) and Beverly Healthcare, Inc. The authors thank Cornelia Beck, PhD, RN, FAAN, for consultation.

Address correspondence to Sunghee H. Tak, PhD, RN, Associate Professor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Nursing, 4301 West Markham, # 529, Little Rock, AR 72205; e-mail: taksunghee@uams.edu.

Received: January 9, 2008; Accepted: June 15, 2009; Posted: November 25, 2009

doi:10.3928/19404921-20091103-01