Healthcare Professionals Views on Technology to Support Older Adults Transitioning from Hospital to Home

One of the challenges of an ageing population is the impact this has on healthcare systems, as living longer can potentially result in higher levels of frailty, chronic disease, dementia and other age-related illnesses. In turn, this may result in higher numbers of hospitalisations and longer hospital stays. Thus, understanding how to support safe and timely discharge of older adults from hospital to their home, and support a return to independence, is critical. Monitoring technology can play an important role in this. However, it is necessary to understand the key role of technology in transitional care as well as the facilitators and barriers to integrating such technology into practice. This paper explores these issues, by presenting a study that uses remote monitoring technology to support older adult patients transitioning from hospital to home. We present findings from evaluations with a range of healthcare professionals on the potential uses of such technology to support transitioning. We also highlight potential barriers and facilitators to integration within health systems.