Toward a Model for Collaborative Gerontechnology: Connecting Elders and Their Caregivers

Gerontechnology is a new field which combines gerontology with technology to support elders in five ways: prevention, enhancement, compensation, care support, and research. Using a four layer model of a human, we examine theories, approaches, and technologies that can be used to address the needs of elders on each of these layers. Current gerontechnology applications primarily focus on the model's lower layers: the elder's physiological functioning and his/her physical skills and activities. We address the cognitive (third) layer through the theory of multiple intelligences, offering ways for elders to compensate for declining cognitive faculties. To address the social interaction (fourth) layer of the human model, we apply social network theory. Coupling collaborative technology with gerontechnology, we construct collaborative social networks to offer elders both care support and enhancement. These networks connect elders and their caregivers, thereby improving communication and offering increased social support to both elders and caregivers.