Camilla Malinowsky

Older people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are one of the frailest groups in society, as debilitating symptoms place them at high risk for physical inactivity, social withdrawal and reduced quality of life. PD symptoms also lead to emotional and communicative changes which can severely affect social functioning and result in loneliness and stigmatization.  The proposal outlines five studies which ultimately aim to increase the accessibility and success of implementing evidence-based welfare technology to support active and dignified ageing with PD, and also older adults requiring support for chronic disease.   Research goals are:To investigate the efficacy of eHealth delivered motor-cognitive home training with regards to functional capacity, motor-cognitive ability, and physical activity behaviour, by performing a randomised controlled trial.To investigate how the use of novel wearable technologies can enhance the assessment of motor-cognitive performance in PD. To investigate patterns of participation in places for activities outside of the home among people with PD, and to explore how use of eHealth and other factors are associated with these patterns.To explore and describe perceptions of carers to people with PD regarding the potential for eHealth technology to support everyday life and participation.To investigate health care professional’s perspectives on determinant factors for the implementation of welfare technology for the care older adults with chronic diseaseOur methods will span a variety of designs and methods - a randomised control trial (RCT), cross-sectional observational studies and qualitative data collection. We will also investigate perceptions of welfare technology from multiple perspectives, including carers to people with PD and a wide range of health care personnel.  Findings from these studies will have direct relevance for older people living with chronic and progressive disease, their relatives or carers and for the future implementers of welfare technology- health care providers specialised in the care of older adults. The project group is multi-professional and incorporates physiotherapists, a Neurologist MD, occupational therapists and neuropsychologists. The planned studied are in conjuntion with clinical Geriatric hospital, which ensures timely implementation of findings. Studies 1 (RCT) and 2 (cross-ectional) are underway (commenced Oct 2022), all remaining studies studies are planned to be completed by summer 2026.

Welfare technology is considered an important strategy for solving challenges in eldercare. At the same time, there is a dominant understanding that technology use in eldercare is scarce, and that digitization of eldercare is something for the coming future. Withal, there is already a large amount of digital technology in nursing homes such as alarms, locking systems and smart phones. The older citizens that move to nursing homes are often active technology users but attention is seldom paid on residents’ own digital use, neither in research nor in practice. The project explore nursing homes as technological habitat including the ongoing interactions between residents, their family/friends, staff and various technologies. Through this, we will learn from technology that is already in use and promote the introduction of new technology in nursing homes. The aim is to develop knowledge about how digital technology can enhance everyday citizenship, participation, and dignity among older persons in nursing homes. We will explore nursing homes as technological habitats including the relational interactions that are going on in these settings. Research Questions: To what extent and for what purposes are digital technology used in nursing homes?Which ideas and values are guiding the use of digital technology in nursing homes?What are the needs and wishes related to digital technology among residents, their family/friends and staff?How can equal use of technology be enhanced in nursing homes by new working methods with the goal to enhance participation and dignity among residents? The project has an ethnographic design with both qualitative and quantitative data. Field studies will be carried out in 3 nursing homes with observations, informal interviews, assessments, focus groups, and workshops with a collaborative approach.The project builds on previous research within the research team, which supports its feasibility. Data will be collected in the municipality of Jönköping and a collaboration has been established for the project. The knowledge developed is clinically significant and necessary to meet the goals and standards of good eldercare. By approaching nursing homes as technological habitats, we can better see how aspects in the daily life can support everyday citizenship, participation and dignity in settings where technology is present. This project has great societal benefit and is clearly relevant to Forte´s area of responsibility.