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Remote Caring for Older People: Future Trends and Speculative Design

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Internet of Things for Human-Centered Design

Part of the book series: Studies in Computational Intelligence ((SCI,volume 1011))

Abstract

The present chapter explores IoT trends and applications’ current and speculative futures to support older people living independently. It focuses on the bathroom area, one of the most dangerous domestic places for ageing bodies. The chapter first presents literature on IoT devices and older people ageing in place, discussing their relationship, the blurring into cyborg territories and the ramifications. Next, technology uptake is discussed, with an example from a previous research study. Next, healthy ageing, active ageing, and quality of life are discussed through the medical and social models of health, and a new model of technological enhancement and monitoring is proposed. The vulnerabilities of older people and IoT’s risks and ethical implications are also covered, followed by current IoT trends and applications for accessible bathrooms, with pros and cons for each. The following section introduces speculative design approaches exploring the possibilities and implications on the future of caring for older people, illustrated with three examples: two speculative projects and one science fiction movie. The final section discusses the inclusive nature of caring and the importance of inclusive design approaches to designing and implementing IoT healthcare products and remote-age-care systems for older people and their families/caregivers.

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  1. School of Built Environment, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

    Oya Demirbilek

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  1. University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Sofia Scataglini

  2. Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    Silvia Imbesi

  3. Polytechnic of Coimbra, ESTGOH, Rua General Santos Costa, Oliveira do Hospital, Portugal

    Gonçalo Marques

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Demirbilek, O. (2022). Remote Caring for Older People: Future Trends and Speculative Design. In: Scataglini, S., Imbesi, S., Marques, G. (eds) Internet of Things for Human-Centered Design. Studies in Computational Intelligence, vol 1011. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-8488-3_14

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