Internet of things (IoT) applications for elderly care: a reflective review

• Published in: Aging clinical and experimental research Vol. 33; no. 4; pp. 855 - 867
• Main Authors: Tun, Soe Ye Yint, Madanian, Samaneh, Mirza, Farhaan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.04.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aged; Chronic illnesses; Delivery of Health Care; Elder care; Expenditures; Geriatrics; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Health care expenditures; Health care policy; Humans; Internet; Internet of Things; Lifestyles; Medicare; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Older people; Quality of Life; Research methodology; Review; Wearable computers; Wearable Electronic Devices; Internet of things; Aged population; Wearable electronic devices; Geriatric health; IoT
• ISSN: 1720-8319; 1594-0667; 1720-8319
• DOI: 10.1007/s40520-020-01545-9

Increasing in elderly population put extra pressure on healthcare systems globally in terms of operational costs and resources. To minimize this pressure and provide efficient healthcare services, the application of the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable technology could be promising. These technologies have the potential to improve the quality of life of the elderly population while reducing strain on healthcare systems and minimizing their operational cost. Although IoT and wearable applications for elderly healthcare purposes were reviewed previously, there is a further need to summarize their current applications in this fast-developing area. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of IoT and wearable technologies’ applications including the types of data collected and the types of devices for elderly healthcare. This paper provides insights into existing areas of IoT/wearable applications while presenting new research opportunities in emerging areas of applications, such as robotic technology and integrated applications. The analysis in this paper could be useful to healthcare solution designers and developers in defining technology supported futuristic healthcare strategies to serve elderly people and increasing their quality of life.