Technology and the Elderly: Social and Moral Implications

Technology and the Elderly
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Technology and the Elderly
The advances in modern technology have far-reaching implications for health and overall wellbeing of elderly people in the society. For instance, artificial intelligence (AI), wearable computing, and robotics create novel opportunities to mitigate the global burden of the aging population while improving the quality of care for elderly people with dementia and age-related disability. However, older people are uncomfortable with using new forms of technology and are often reluctant to embrace related change than the youths. As a result, the group is at a disadvantage since designers fail to recognize older people as potential users in designing software and hardware. An equally common misconception is that older adults are unable to learn new skills, thus, influencing their segregation when training opportunities emerge.
Social and Moral Implications
Anxiety and task unfamiliarity are the main factors that influence the disproportionate use of modern technology among the elderly and the youths. In most instances, older adults are less confident in using modern technology. However, some elders embrace the technology despite making errors in the learning process. According to Schomakers and Ziefle, technology is connected to mental health since users can reduce loneliness [6]. Older adults’ positive attitudes towards technology use dispel the misconception that the group are less motivated to use and learn about technology. Over the years, elderly people have realized improved mental and physical health by using modern technology. An increasing number of elderly people have embraced the use of technology for social relationships while enhancing convenience, such as saving communication time. Following an increase in the number of older people using modern technology, they are likely to experience enhanced mental and physical health.
Besides, modern technology is a significant strategy for engaging elderly people in life. The beneficiaries can realize enhanced mental and physical health in such a case. In most instances, elderly people realize enhanced social support through modern technology platforms [6]). The benefit of engaging with technology for elderly people is that they maintain social support with their peers and family members. In such a case, they have enhanced emotional support, such as recognition and value from the society members. Equally, intelligent assistive technology (IAT) is a source of instrumental support in financial services and other forms of assistance.
Intelligent Assistive Technology (IAT) is an effective way to address the caregiving burden and high costs involved in addressing the needs of elderly people living with dementia. IAT encompasses various technologies that leverage computing capabilities, machine learning, and robotics for assistive purposes. According to Royakkers et al. the technology facilitates cognitive aids in support of memory, agnosia, and aphasia [3]. The involved instruments have physiological sensors to identify vitals and falls. Equally, environmental sensors on such instruments detect movements while enhancing advanced security systems. Over the last decade, medical practitioners have invented IATs with possible applicability for older people with dementia. Such IATs have devices that facilitate the execution of daily activities and emotional assistance. Family members and healthcare practitioners utilize modern technology devices to enhance remote communication and monitor health and wellbeing of elderly people.
IATS for older adults who have dementia raise considerable ethical challenges. The design of such devices enhances the wellbeing of old people with cognitive disabilities and other forms of physical frailty since they cannot consent to their use. According to Kolasinska et al. technological devices collect large volumes of data that renders the IATs as “big data” ecosystem [1]. However, large-scale information processing can involve sensitive data, such as behavioural-video recordings and personal data. Similarly, most IATs, such as wearables, have a close proximity to patient’s body and involve artificial intelligence, which raises ethical challenges related to responsibility and algorithmic transparency. Therefore, the design of modern technologies is in exclusion of ethical considerations.
Notably, most technologies that involve older people have an underrepresentation of fair technology access and privacy of end users. IATs’ key focus is to empower older adults by increasing their independence while prolonging their lives [2]. However, affordability and data security are critical ethical concerns related to using the technology while using IATs among people with dementia. In other...