This research builds on previous studies where we have developed and tested several digital solutions, and the overall goal is to create models that use technological solutions to support older adults' engagement in daily activities, thereby promoting their well-being and reducing the need for primary care and municipal care services.

The research program defines healthy aging as the process of developing and maintaining functional abilities that enable well-being in old age. The needs of older adults who are at risk or have already developed frailty, as well as their relatives, will be studied in connection with interventions that use digital technology. Frailty is defined as a health condition characterized by a progressive age-related decline, focusing on function rather than specific diseases.

Research Questions

1. Can a preventive program with technology-supported engaging activities in daily life reduce the risk or maintain/delay the level of frailty in older adults? (Project A)
2. How can a preventive program using technology support "Good quality, local healthcare" for frail older adults and become an obvious and integrated working method as an addition to physical care within primary care? (Project A)
3. What are the needs of informal caregivers providing support to older adults living with frailty in home environments? (Projects A-D)
4. What are the needs of informal caregivers providing support to older adults living with frailty at home? (Projects A-E)
5. What are the systemic factors, and how can co-creation methods contribute to the successful implementation of a technology intervention aimed at older adults to improve primary care and municipal care services? (Projects A-E)

Data and Method

The interdisciplinary program is based on tested interventions using digital technology with positive effects in older adults' home environments. Five projects (Projects A-E) with qualitative and quantitative methods are planned. A digital platform will be used to compare data. With analyses from Projects A-D, a model will be developed that describes the effects of implementation, which can change and implement new interventions and working methods using technology (Project E). To ensure successful implementation, these projects will be conducted in collaboration with the elderly, their relatives, informal caregivers, and staff.

Relevance

In Europe, more than one-third of older adults under 75 years old live with frailty, which causes functional limitations and impacts well-being, leading to high costs for publicly funded care. The home is an important arena, and with the increase in older adults, new working models are needed. The results will generate knowledge on how digital solutions can be used for preventive measures, more efficient primary care, and municipal care services that enable participation in daily life for older adults and support for relatives and staff.

Program Originality

There is still a knowledge gap regarding the consequences of using different types of welfare technology and how this technology can promote an active daily life and healthy aging for older adults living with frailty. There is also a lack of knowledge on how support for relatives and care partners can be best organized. This requires new working methods, the development of work practices, and the implementation of interventions as the home is becoming a new arena for primary care and home healthcare.

Project Implementation Plan

The program builds on previous research where we have developed and tested several digital solutions. The next step is to use existing knowledge for further development, implementation, and evaluation of the interventions and work methods.

This will be carried out in close collaboration between staff from Region Stockholm/Uppsala, the City of Stockholm, Huddinge Municipality, and researchers at Karolinska Institute, Royal Institute of Technology, and Uppsala University, along with a reference group of older adults, relatives, and stakeholders.