Article

The world population is rapidly ageing. As population age, the incidence of
functional limitations increases, demanding higher levels of care from
caregivers. Assistive technologies improve individuals' functioning,
independence, well-being and quality of life. By increasing independence of older
adults, assistive technologies decrease workloads required from informal
caregivers. This review investigates, evaluates, and synthesises existing
findings to examine whether and how assistive technologies reduce caregiver
burden. METHODS: Databases searched included MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and
Cochrane Library. Three groups of keywords were combined: those relating to
assistive technology, caregiver burden, and older adults. RESULTS: Two theories
emerged from the analysis of study results. Caregivers reported that assistive
technologies decrease caregiver burden. However, caregivers had concerns that
assistive technologies could add to caregiver burden, highlighting the
limitations of assistive technology. CONCLUSIONS: As suggested by a majority of
the studies in this review, assistive technologies contribute to reducing
caregiver burden among caregivers of older adults. Assistive technologies
assisted caregivers by reducing time, levels of assistance and energy put towards
caregiving, anxiety and fear, task difficulty, safety risk particularly for
activities requiring physical assistance and increasing the independence of the
users. Further research is required to better understand limitations of assistive
technologies. Implications for Rehabilitation Support for informal caregivers of
older adults need more attention and recognition. Assistive technologies can
reduce caregiver burden among informal caregivers of older adults. Further
research is required to better understand the effectiveness of assistive
technologies in reducing caregiver burden as well as limitations and barriers
associated with using assistive technologies.

Langue : ANGLAIS