Cover Image
QR Code

Gerontechnology starts at birth and even earlier...9th World Conference of the International Society for Gerontechnology (ISG), June 18-21, 2014, Taipei, Taiwan.

Purpose This paper elucidates gerontechnology's role in the prevention of chronic conditions. Gerontechnology has evolved from technology for aging1 to a scientific domain at the crossroad between gerontology and technology (Figure 1). It fosters the cross-fertilization of engineering and design2. T...

Full description

Published in:Gerontechnology Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 173 - 174
Main Author: VAN BRONSWIJK, J. E. M. H.
Format: abstract proceedings research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: International Society for Gerontechnology 2014 Special Issue
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=180444809&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ccm
    uiTerm: 180444809
    longDbName: CINAHL Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    dissinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        15691101
        904R
      jtl: Gerontechnology
      issn: 15691101
      maglogo: N
    pubinfo:
      dt: 2014 Special Issue
      vid: 13
      iid: 2
      pid: 54298
      pub: International Society for Gerontechnology
    artinfo:
      ui:
        180444809
        180444809
        180444809
        10.4017/gt.2014.13.02.021.00
        180444809
      ppf: 173
      ppct: 1
      formats:
      tig:
        atl: Gerontechnology starts at birth and even earlier...9th World Conference of the International Society for Gerontechnology (ISG), June 18-21, 2014, Taipei, Taiwan.
      aug:
        au: VAN BRONSWIJK, J. E. M. H.
        affil: Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
      sug:
        subj:
          Gerontologic Care
          Technology
          Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
          Aging
          Geriatrics
          Congresses and Conferences Taiwan
          Taiwan
      ab: Purpose This paper elucidates gerontechnology's role in the prevention of chronic conditions. Gerontechnology has evolved from technology for aging1 to a scientific domain at the crossroad between gerontology and technology (Figure 1). It fosters the cross-fertilization of engineering and design2. To reach a good quality of life up to the highest possible age, discovering and implementing the best person-environmental fit is crucial in gerontechnology's mission, not only for older adults but for people at earlier ages, when chronic conditions start to develop. In fact, when frailty starts, gerontechnology has not completed its preventive mission. Method Two-fold desk research on (i) environmental influences associated with the development of chronic conditions and (ii) on the different theories and paradigms in technology and gerontology may help to provide the best environmental fit. Results & Discussion A high number of environmental conditions appear related to chronic conditions. For example, indoor air quality, noise levels, food habits, and the continuously lowering level of exercising during the course of life are all related to the Dutch health profile 'frailty', which is described as mainly a combination of chronic airway disease, diabetes mellitus, and hearing impairment in a health-scenario study4. The base of these conditions is laid in childhood and could largely be prevented with proper public health engineering. Although most gerontechnology projects aim at supporting older frail adults, the available theoretical and empirical knowledge (Figure 1) allows for a more sustainable option: preventing or postponing the chronic conditions through healthy exposures starting at birth or conception.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        abstract
        proceedings
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
    refInfo:
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N