Social Alarms for Elderly Care: Opportunities and Challenges

Introduction

The world is experiencing the demographic change process called global aging in the 21st century and is aging rapidly. Although different parts of the world experience population aging at different levels, it is a known fact that the world is getting older (Kutlu & Say Şahin, 2023). The phenomenon of global aging, which is metaphorized as a “gray tsunami”, has affected all countries, regardless of their level of development (Öztuna, 2017). The aging of the population also presents some opportunities. Today, with the developments in technology and medicine and the change in socio-cultural structure, it is seen that most individuals' life cycle and physical and spiritual aging do not occur at the same rate. Although the chronological age has increased, it is noteworthy that many individuals are still mentally and physically healthy and, in this context, continue to have the potential to be an economic resource (Eser & Küçük Aksu, 2021) .The emergence of new and growing markets to meet the needs of the elderly population along with the increasing elderly population also points to economic opportunities arising from aging (European Parliamentary Research Service, 2015). On the other hand the increase in the share of the elderly population in the total population significantly increases the health and care costs. The number of older adults per hundred individuals in the 15-64 age group, which is expressed as the elderly dependency ratio, is gradually increasing (Muszynska & Rau, 2012) . This means that there are fewer young people to take care of more older adults. When all factors are considered as a whole, it is possible to say that the aging population also brings difficulties. The increasing need, especially in the field of care, obliges the society to approach care in a different way.

Technology, particularly “assistive technology,” now assumes significant roles in addressing societal challenges thanks to its simple, cost-effective solutions at a time when increasing health and social care demands (Fernandez Caballero, Gonzakez, & Navarto, 2016). Keeping an important seat within assistive technology, telecare may be denoted as the utilization of communication technologies to provide or receive direct health and social care. What is distinct about telecare may be that it stands out as a possible means of satisfying the care needs of older adults (Gökçe Kutsal, 2021). The rise of telecare applications all hinges on policies aiming at ‘aging in place’ that refers to providing the perceived care needs of older adults in need of care at home. Although the health-related dimension of care is often emphasized, its social extent should not be underestimated. In this sense, comprehensive care should also regard older adults’ well-being since aging may bring significant adverse changes to one’s life, such as loss of role and status due to retirement and mobility restriction because of physical health problems. Failure to satisfy their social care needs may also exacerbate their feelings of loneliness and social isolation, which may further lead to some psychiatric and geriatric symptoms. Today, the involuntary and inevitable isolation of older adults, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has also raised concerns about the need for remote care for older adults (Uyanusta Küçük, 2021). Even the restriction of outpatient treatment and support programs due to the pandemic has highlighted the significance of telecare applications to make it possible to offer care by keeping a physical distance from beneficiaries.

Recently, social alarms have become prominent among telecare applications in providing technology-assisted care services to older adults. A social alarm can be described as a home-installed system that enables the user to ask for help in an emergency (Puaschitz, Jacobsen, Berge, & Husebo, 2023). The alarm panel is usually mounted in an area where older adult spends most of their time (i.e., living space) and is connected to a telephone network or a base unit with digital infrastructure. Moreover, the device can be wirelessly connected to an intended, exclusively designed necklace, watch, or bracelet that older adults can conveniently wear. When the user presses the alarm button on the panel or wearable accessories, the system sends an emergency signal or call to the receiver that may be a relative of the user or care service personnel (Sjölinder & Nöu, 2014).