BJSW Advance Access originally published online on March 20, 2009
British Journal of Social Work 2009 39(4):641-656; doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcp025
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This article appears in the following British Journal of Social Work issue: Social work in the digital age Special Issue [View the issue table of contents]
Ageing and Technology: A Review of the Research Literature
Christina Blaschke is the Assistant Coordinator of Distance Education for the School of Social Work at Michigan State University (USA). She earned a bachelor's degree in social work from Saginaw Valley State University and a master's degree in social work from Michigan State University. Her research interests include blended learning, distance education, social work with older adults, and technology and aging.
Paul P. Freddolino, M.Div., Ph.D., is Professor of Social Work at Michigan State University (USA) and Associate Director for Technology and Distance Education for the School. He has been involved in social work distance education activities since 1979, as evaluator, administrator, instructor, and marketing director. He developed the Blended Statewide Clinical MSW Program which permits students from throughout Michigan to complete the MSW degree program through a combination of in-person, online, and videoconference components. He teaches courses in quantitative and qualitative research methods, evaluation practice, and administrative practice. Professor Freddolino's research interests are in the application of technology in social work education and social work practice, particularly services for older adults.
Erin Mullen is a Family Therapist with the Center for Children's Functional Family Therapy Program in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. She received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees, both in Social Work, from Michigan State University. Erin's research interests include child and adolescent mental health, grief and bereavement, hospital social work, and social work and technology.
Correspondence to Christina M. Blaschke, School of Social Work, Michigan State University, 254 Baker Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA. E-mail: blaschke{at}msu.edu
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Abstract |
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While the ageing of the population around the world raises serious concerns about social security, pensions, long-term care, health care and family systems, digital-age tools have been proposed as possible resources to improve outcomes. Considerable literature has appeared suggesting that Assistive Technologies (ATs) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) may improve quality of life, extend length of community residence, improve physical and mental health status, delay the onset of serious health problems and reduce family and care-giver burden. The goal of this review is to separate the evidence base for these claims from simple optimism about the ultimate value of technology-based tools. This is accomplished through an extensive examination of the empirical research literature in the field of ATs and ICTs as they relate to older adults and ageing populations. In this review, we describe how these technologies are being utilized by older adults and barriers to their use, and we identify what is known—based on scientific studies—about the utility and effectiveness of the technologies. Appropriate social work practice in the digital age requires knowing what tools are available and their documented effectiveness and limitations. This review will thus consider the implications of current research knowledge for social work practice, education and research.
Keywords: Ageing and older people, social work and IT, research and evaluation