Carrie Bourassa, Megan O'Connell, Dannette Starblanket, Dana Hickey, Mackenzie Jardine, Marlin Legare, Ben Gould
Abstract
The Indigenous Technology Needs Exploration (ITNE) team, in collaboration with a Community Research Advisory Committee (CRAC), explored the use of technology among Indigenous older adults living in rural and remote communities in order to address barriers to ageing in place and living with dementia. Understanding older adults who live in rural and remote communities access to and use of technology can assist in removing barriers and promote the use of technology for ageing in place. This study examined a wide range of literature to consider a number of topics, including Canada’s age structure, the health disparities between people living in rural and urban regions, how assistive technologies (e.g., home modifications) are helping older adults live independent lives, and the delivery of a variety of telehealth services to rural and remote communities using information and communication technology (ICT).
All older adults share many concerns in common, but Indigenous Peoples often have unique concerns regarding technology use in rural and remote areas of Saskatchewan, Canada. The results of this review identified there are more barriers to technology use for older adults living in Indigenous communities; technology is a viable method for ageing in place, and culturally relevant technology is needed.
