Module 1 – Risks Related to Older People’s Health
S1. Risks related to physical health
Guo J, Huang X, Dou L, Yan M, Shen T, Tang W, Li J. Aging and aging-related diseases: from molecular mechanisms to interventions and treatments. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2022 Dec 16;7(1):391.
https://www.ncoa.org/article/the-top-10-most-common-chronic-conditions-in-older-adults
https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/older-people-s-health-issues/the-aging-body/overview-of-aging
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/index.html
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-aging/what-do-we-know-about-healthy-aging
S2. Risks related to Mental health
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-of-older-adults
de Mendonça Lima CA, Ivbijaro G. Mental health and wellbeing of older people: opportunities and challenges. Ment Health Fam Med. 2013 Sep;10(3):125-7.
https://medlineplus.gov/olderadultmentalhealth.html
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/mental-and-emotional-health/depression-and-older-adults
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/mental-health-in-older-adults
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression
https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-aging/about/depression-aging.html
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/older-adults-and-mental-health
S3. Abuse
https://www.ageconcern.org.nz/Public/Info/Services/Elder_abuse_and_neglect/What_is_Elder_Abuse.aspx
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abuse-of-older-people
https://www.cdc.gov/elder-abuse/about/index.html
S4. Cognitive decline
https://effectivate.com/cognitive-decline-in-old-age
Murman DL. The Impact of Age on Cognition. Semin Hear. 2015 Aug;36(3):111-21
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/brain-health/cognitive-health-and-older-adults
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia
S5. Falls
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/fall-prevention/art-20047358
Institute of Medicine (US) Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Berg RL, Cassells JS, editors. The Second Fifty Years: Promoting Health and Preventing Disability. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1992. 15, Falls in Older Persons: Risk Factors and Prevention.
Appeadu MK, Bordoni B. Falls and Fall Prevention in Older Adults. [Updated 2023 Jun 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560761/
S6. Safety at home
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place/aging-place-growing-older-home
S7. Risk management
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6398972
https://www.ausmed.com/learn/articles/risk-assessment-home
https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/strengthened-quality-standards/organisation/risk-management
https://kindercaring.com.au/home-care-packages/risk-management-strategies-in-home-care
Ibrahim JE, Holmes A, Young C, Bugeja L. Managing risk for aging patients in long-term care: a narrative review of practices to support communication, documentation, and safe patient care practices. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2019 Feb 27;12:31-39.
Module 2 – The connection of risk prevention and risk management to quality of life
S1 – Perception of risks
https://www.epicentro.iss.it/anziani
https://www.epicentro.iss.it/mentale/GM2012_Pda
World Health Organization (2019, April 2). Self-care can be an effective part of national health systems. https://www.who.int/news/item/02-04-2019-self-care-can-be-an-effective-part-of-national-health-systems
World Health Organization. (2023, October). Mental health of older adults. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-of-older-adults
Liu, C., Zhao, J., & Gao, Y. (2023). Risk factors associated with home care safety for older people with dementia: Family caregivers’ perspectives. BMC Geriatrics, 23, 256.
Metzelthin, S. F., Daniëls, R., van Rossum, E., de Witte, L., & Kempen, G. I. (2020). The effectiveness of integrated care programs for older people with complex needs: A scoping review. BMC Geriatrics, 20, 1482.
S2 – Different perspectives of Social Isolation
Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) – Sorveglianza PASSI d’Argento: isolamento sociale negli anziani https://www.epidemiologia.it/gruppi/prevenzione-e-promozione-della-salute/l-isolamento-sociale-negli-anziani
Fondazione Alberto Sordi (2022) – Solitudine ed isolamento sociale nelle persone anziane: possibili strategie per prevenirle https://www.fondazionealbertosordi.it/solitudine-ed-isolamento-sociale-nelle-persone-anziane-possibili-strategie-per-prevenirle
Politecnico di Milano – DASTU (2021) – Isolamento e qualità della vita nell’età anziana fragile
https://www.lps.polimi.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DASTU_LPS_Working-Paper-no.01-2021-LPS.15.pdf
Social Isolation and Loneliness – WHO Commission on Social Connection – https://www.who.int/teams/social-determinants-of-health/demographic-change-and-healthy-ageing/social-isolation-and-loneliness
WHO – Advocacy Brief: Social isolation and loneliness among older people – https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240030749
Animazione Sociale – Issue No. 341 – “There is no health without the social dimension”
Integration between social and health services to support fragile elderly people and prevent isolation. Link to article
COOSS Marche Social Cooperative – Training and support for family caregivers and elderly people through accredited regional courses and community-based services.
https://www.cooss.it/it/formazione/corso-gratuito-per-collaboratrici-e-collaboratori-familiari
S3 – From the social isolation to the social inclusion
Mental Health of Older Adults – WHO Fact Sheet – https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-of-older-adults
UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) – https://www.decadeofhealthyageing.org
AGE Platform Europe – Social Inclusion of Older People – https://www.age-platform.eu/policy-work/social-inclusion
ANAP Confartigianato (2024) – Strategie e proposte per una società che valorizza la popolazione anziana – https://www.anap.it/notizia/strategie-e-proposte-per-una-societa-che-valorizza-la-popolazione-anziana
Nomisma (2021) – Assistenza agli anziani: un modello innovativo tra integrazione e welfare di comunità – https://www.nomisma.it/focus/modello-integrazione-assistenza-anziano-welfare-comunita
Repubblica Solidale (2023) – Tre anni di progetti per il benessere e l’inclusione sociale degli anzianihttps://www.repubblica.it/native/solidarieta/2023/09/26/news/tre_anni_di_progetti_per_il_benessere_e_linclusione_sociale_degli_anziani-415734275
Comunicato ufficiale (25 gennaio 2024) – Anziani, Schillaci: “Importanti misure per promuovere invecchiamento attivo e in salute” https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/comunicato-stampa/anziani-schillaci-importanti-misure-promuovere-invecchiamento-attivo-e-salute
Animazione Sociale – Article – “Reinventing support for people with dementia and their families”. A community-based project supporting elderly people and caregivers through remote cognitive stimulation, emotional support, and social connection. Link to article
COOSS Marche Social Cooperative – Expertise and knowledge in social projects (i.e. MOSAICO, Educarinsieme) which promote active ageing, social inclusion, and integrated support for older adults in community settings.
https://www.cooss.it/it/archivio-progetti
S4 – Effective communication to prevent risky situations / S5 – Effective communication to avoid relational stress
Giuseppina Massi, Le parole che curano. Costruire relazioni nella casa per anziani. In Caregiverspro-MMD, finanziato dal programma Horizon2020 – H2020-PHC2015-25-690211
Aosuks, H. (2011). Die Kommunikation mit Pflegebedürftigen. In G. Adam, H. Joskus, R. Rogall-Adam, & G. Schleinitz (Eds.), Professionelle Kommunikation in Pflege und Management. Ein praxisnaher Leitfaden (2nd. ed., pp. 88-128). Silber Druck oHG, Niestetal.
Watzlawick, P., & Jackson, D. D. (2010). On Human Communication (1964). Journal of Systemic Therapies, 29(2), 53–68. https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.2010.29.2.53
Material from lessons taken by COOSS internal training courses of effective communication for “caregivers” (teachers psychologists: Daniela Lupi, Sara Moroni, Maximiliano Serafini, Francesca Vigorelli)
COMMUNICARE project platform Project N. 2020-1-DE02-KA204-007685 https://ccare.aegean.gr/
S6 – Age friendly environments
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9875594
https://www.age-platform.eu/adequate-housing-in-older-age
https://www.age-platform.eu/content/uploads/2023/10/2022-03_AGE_Contribution_on_housing.pdf
https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/tip-sheet-home-safety-tips-older-adults
http://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/safe-environment-elderly/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving/services-older-adults-living-home
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/sleep/home-safety-older-adults
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-falls-prevention/preventing-falls-home-room-roomhttps://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place/home-safety-tips-older-adults#:~:text=Remove%20area%20rugs%20and%20fix,surfaces%20that%20may%20get%20wet.
Module 3 – Positive Risk-Taking
Heading: Fysisk hälsa och rörelse (Physical health)
- Främja fysisk aktivitet och minska stillasittandet
Folkhälsomyndigheten, 2023, publikation riktliljer och rekommendationer
- Fysisk aktivitet och träning som äldre
Vårdguiden 1177, Sveriges Regioner
https://www.1177.se/liv–halsa/fysisk-aktivitet-och-traning/traning-som-aldre
- När fysiken förändras behövs en förändrad fysisk miljö
Äldre i centrum, 2019, artikel
Heading: Psykisk hälsa och välbefinnande (Mental health and well-being)
- Faktorer som påverkar den psykiska hälsan hos äldre personer
Folkhälsomyndigheten, webbsida med information och länkar
- Våga tala om psykisk ohälsa -Till dig som är äldre eller är närstående till en äldre person Socialstyrelsen, 2019, informationsbroschyr
https://www.socialstyrelsen.se/globalassets/sharepoint-dokument/artikelkatalog/ovrigt/2019-6-27.pdf
- Vägledning för att förhindra ofrivillig ensamhet bland äldre personer
Socialstyrelsen, 2022
- Förebygg ofrivillig ensamhet hos äldre personer – fakta och reflektionsfrågor avsett för hemtjänst och särskilt boende för äldre
Socialstyrelsen, 2022
Heading: Demens (Dementia)
- Svenskt demenscentrum, Stiftelsen Stockholms läns Äldrecentrum
- Råd till närstående till någon med demenssjukdom
Vårdguiden 1177, Sveriges Regioner
Heading: Allmänt (General)
- Senior alert, kvalitetsregister, Region Jönköpings län
https://www.senioralert.se/senior
- Äldre i centrum
Populärvetenskapliga tidskrift inom äldre- och åldrandeområdet
- Stöd i arbetet inom äldreområdet, inklusive anhörigperspektiv
Socialstyrelsen
- Äldrekontakt
Ideell förening som verkar för att förebygga och bryta ofrivillig ensamhet
Module 4 – Technological applications in healthcare and risk management
Ahluwalia, S.C., Friedman, E., Siconolfi, D., Saliba, D., Phillips, J. & Shih, R. 2021. Promises and pitfalls of health information technology for home and community based services. Journal of Applied Gerontology 40(5), 558-565.
Anttila, M., Koivisto, J., Luoma, M-L., & Anttila, H. 2023. How to adopt technologies in home care: a mixed methods study on user experiences and change of home care in Finland. BMC Health Services Research (2023) 23:1342 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10368-z
Aqueveque, P., Gomez, B., Williams, P.A.H. & Li, Z. 2022. A Novel Privacy Preservation and Quantification Methodology for Implementing Home-Care-Oriented Movement Analysis Systems. Sensors 22, 4677. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/s22134677
Araujo F, Nogueira M, Silva J & Rego S. 2021. A technological-based platform for risk assessment, detection and prevention of falls among home-dwelling older adults. Protocol for a quasi-experimental study. JMIR Research Protocols 10 (8)
Bailey, C., Aitken, D., Wilson, G., Hodgson, P., Douglas, , B. & Docking, R. 2019. “What? That’s for Old People, that.” Home Adaptations, Ageing and Stigmatisation: A Qualitative Inquiry International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, 4989. doi:10.3390/ijerph16244989
Choukou, M.A., Sakamoto, Y. & Irani.P. 2021. Attitude and perceptions of older and younger adults towards ambient technology for assisted living. European Review for medical and Pharmacological Sciences 25, 3709-3717.
EPTA report. 2019. Technologies in care for older people. Available at: https://eptanetwork.org/images/documents/minutes/EPTA_report_2019.pdf
Fao, S.E., Bruvik, F.K., Tranvåg, O., & Husebo,B.S. 2020. Home-dwelling persons woth dementia’s perception on care support: Qualitative study. Nursing Ethics 27(4), 991-1002.
Ghonimat I & Al-sheyab N. 2024. Embracing technology and risks in healthcare management. Journal of artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science 2 (2)
Giordano N, Rosati S, Balestra G & Knaflitz M. 2023. A wearable multi-sensor array enables the recording of heart sounds in homecare. Sensors 23 https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/13/6241
Huang G & Otenf S. 2023. Gerontechnology for better elderly care and life quality: a systematic review. European journal of ageing 20 (27) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-023-00776-9
Kodate, N., Donnelly, S., Suwa, S., Tsujimura, M., Kitinoja, H., Hallila, J., Toivonen, M., Ide, H. & Yu, W. 2020. Home- care robots – attitudes and perceptions among older people, carers and care professionals in Ireland: A questionnaire study. Health and Social Care in the Community 30, 1086-1096. DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13327
Kok C, Ho C, Teo T, Kato K & Koh Y. 2024. A novel implementation of a social robot for sustainable human engagement in homecare services for ageing population. Sensors 24 https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/14/4466
Liljeroos, M. & Arkkukangas, M. 2023. Implementation of Telemonitoring in Health Care: Facilitators and Barriers for Using eHealth for Older Adults with Chronic Conditions. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy 2023:16 43–53. DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S396495
Liu X, Nikkhoo M, Wang L, Chen C, Chen H, Chen C-J & Cheng C-H. 2023. Feasibility of a kinect-based syste4m in assessing ohysical function of the elderly for home-based care. BMC Geriatrics 23 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04179-4
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. 2020. Quality recommendation to guarantee a good quality of life and improved services for older persons 2020–2023 : The Aim is an Age-friendly Finland. Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2020:37.
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. 2020. National Programme on Ageing 2030: For an age-competent Finland. Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. 2020:38.
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. 2023. Technology Supporting Smart Ageing and Care at Home KATI Reference Architecture. Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. 2023:32.
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. 2023. Wellbeing services counties will be responsible for organising health, social and rescue services. https://stm.fi/en/wellbeing-services-counties.
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. 2024. Quality recommendation to guarantee active and functional ageing and sustainable services in 2024–2027. Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2024:4.
Mohammadnejad, F., Freeman, S., Klassen-Ross, T., Hemingway, D. & Banner, D. 2024. Use of Antivibration Technology to Reduce Demands for In-Home Nursing Care and Support in Rural Settings for Persons with Essential Tremors: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 21, 714. https:// doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21060714
Niemelä, M., Kaartinen, J., Siira, T., Niskasaari, E., Anttila, H. & Vuokko, R. 2023. Kotona asumista tukevat teknologiat ikäihmisille: KATI-viitearkkitehtuuri. (Technology Supporting Smart Ageing and Care at Home: KATI Reference Architecture). Sosiaali- ja terveysmineisteriön raportteja ja muistioita 2023:32. Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö: Helsinki.
Pillotto, A., Barbagelata, M., Morganti, W., Seminerio, E., Iaccarino, E., Genazzani, A., Trompetto, C.,Arabia, G., Illario, M., Volta, E., Custodero, C. & Cella, A. 2024. Development and implementation of multicomponent homecare interventions for multimorbid and frail older people based on Information and Communication Technologies: The MULTIPLAT_AGE project. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 117, 105252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2023.105252
Pontier-Marchandise S, Texereau J, Prigent A, Gonzaöes-Bermejo J, Rabec C, Gagnadoux F, Letierce A & Winck J. 2023. Home NIC treatment quality in patients with chronic respiratory failure having participated to the French nationwide telemonitoring experimental program (The TELVENT Study). Respir Medicine and Res 84 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resmer.2023.101028
Sung Y, Huang H, Lin C, Kröger T, Hsu W, Hsu J, Lin Y & Shyu Y. 2022. Experiences of family caregivers or perfons living with dementia with and without a smart-clothes assisted home nursing program during the heightened covid-19 alert. BMC Geriatrics 22 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03379-8
Tchalla A, Marchesseau D, Cardinau N, Laubarie-Mouret C, Mergans T, Kajeu P, Luce S, Friocourt P, Tsala-Effa D, Tovena I, Preux P & Gayot C. 2023. Effectiveness of a home-based telesurveillance program in reducing hostpital readmissions in patiesnta with chronic disease: the ecolbahlt randomized controlled trial. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare
Villaverde Naveira, A., De Masi, A., Wac,K., Amabili, G., Vastenburg, M., Alberts, J.,de Konning, J., Cuijpers, R. Lovis, C. 2022. Designing a social robot companion to support homecare: Usability results. In J. Mantas et al (eds.) Advances in Informatics, Management and Technology in Healthcare, 261-264. doi:10.3233/SHTI220712 e-book
Vilpunaho T, Karinkanta S, Sievänen H, Kopra J, Kröger H, Rikkonen T. 2023. Predictive ability of a self-rated fall risk assessment tool in community-dwelling older women. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research 35(6):1205-1212. doi: 10.1007/s40520-023-02423-w. Epub 2023 May 5. PMID: 37145268; PMCID: PMC10200780
Zulfiraq A, Lorenzo-Villalba N, Zulfiraq O, Hajjman M, Courbon Q, Esteoulle L, Geny B, Talha S, Letourneau D, Hajjman J, Erve S, El Hassani A & Andres E. 2020. E-health: A future solution for optimized management of elderly patients. Ger-e-TEC Project. Medicines 7 (41). https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6320/7/8/41
LINKS for further info (national)
Ikäinstituutti. Asuminen ja ympäristö. https://www.ikainstituutti.fi/asuminen-ja-ymparisto/
Ympäristöministeriö. Ikääntyneiden asumisen kehittämisohjelma 2013-2017. https://vtkl.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ikaantyneiden_asumisen_kehittamisohjelman_Tietoa_ja_tyokaluja.pdf
Ympäristöministeriö. 2024. Ikääntyneiden asuminen. Ennakointi ja varautuminen. https://ym.fi/ennakointi-ja-varautuminen
Kotona asumista tukevat teknologiat ikäihmisille: KATI-viitearkkitehtuuri. 2023. Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriön raportteja ja muistioita 2023:32. Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö: Helsinki. Saatavilla https://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/165050/STM_2023_32_rap.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Anttila, H., Anttila, M., Koivisto, S., Niemelä, M., Kaartinen, J., Forsius, P., Kauppinen, S. & Minna-Liisa Luoma. 2023. Kotihoidon uudet ratkaisut. Kotona asumisen teknologiat ikäihmisille – KATI-ohjelman 2020–2023 loppuraportti. THL raportti 9/2023. Saatavilla https://julkari.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/147940/RAP2023_009%20Kotihoidon%20uudet%20ratkaisut.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y
Kotitapaturma – iäkkäät https://www.kotitapaturma.fi/ikaryhmat/iakkaat/
Vanhustyön keskusliitto https://vtkl.fi
Ikäinstituutti https://www.ikainstituutti.fi
UKK- instituutti
THL _ Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos https://thl.fi/tutkimus-ja-kehittaminen/tutkimukset-ja-hankkeet/hyvinvoinnin-tekoaly-ja-robotiikka-ohjelma-hyteairo-/teknologia-ikaihmisen-kotona-asumisen-tukena
VALLI (Vanhus ja lähimmäispalvelun liitto) https://www.valli.fi/tyomuotomme/ikateknologiakeskus/tietopankki/ikaihmiset-ja-teknologia/