Article

PURPOSE: To obtain insight into what kind of monitoring technologies exist to
monitor activity in-home, what the characteristics and aims of applying these
technologies are, what kind of research has been conducted on their effects and
what kind of outcomes are reported. METHODS: A systematic document search was
conducted within the scientific databases Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, PsycINFO and
Cinahl, complemented by Google Scholar. Documents were included in this review if
they reported on monitoring technologies that detect activities of daily living
(ADL) or significant events, e.g. falls, of elderly people in-home, with the aim
of prolonging independent living. RESULTS: Five main types of monitoring
technologies were identified: PIR motion sensors, body-worn sensors, pressure
sensors, video monitoring and sound recognition. In addition, multicomponent
technologies and smart home technologies were identified. Research into the use
of monitoring technologies is widespread, but in its infancy, consisting mainly
of small-scale studies and including few longitudinal studies. CONCLUSIONS:
Monitoring technology is a promising field, with applications to the long-term
care of elderly persons. However, monitoring technologies have to be brought to
the next level, with longitudinal studies that evaluate their (cost-)
effectiveness to demonstrate the potential to prolong independent living of
elderly persons. [Box: see text].

Langue : ANGLAIS