EPTA report 2019: Technologies in care for older people

This important topic addresses future challenges posed by a growing elderly population. Globally, the proportion of the population aged 80 years or more is projected to increase more than threefold between 2017 and 2050. Similar increases are expected in European countries.

Ageing societies will thus face more complicated and costly demands for improved – or even sustained – welfare. These challenges will require major changes including new technologies and social innovations in elderly care. Guaranteeing a new agenda for active and healthy ageing using technologies and innovations while at the same time minimising potential adverse effects on the rights, capabilities and resilience of older persons will thus be essential. Technology assessments (TA) are playing a crucial role in both understanding and tackling these issues.

This report, with contributions from 17 EPTA members, provides an up-to-date international overview of policies linked to the topic of technologies in elderly care. It delves into various aspects of the topic, such as the challenges involved in the implementation of health and social care technologies. The report also provides examples of solutions and best practices and elaborates on future perspectives and policy implications of various aspects ranging from ethical issues – centred around autonomy, consent, and privacy – to both employment/training and legal/regulatory concerns. It gives the reader a general introduction and a synthesis of the current state of affairs in the EPTA countries.