Nowadays, the percentage of elderly people is increasing, especially in developed countries. Technological products can be used to propel a cohesive and inclusive inter-generational society, although they should be adapted to satisfy the needs and preferences of elderly people. In this paper, we present 3D virtual agents as a promising system to improve the autonomy and Quality of Life (QoL) of...

This report examines relationships between residential location and travel patterns of the elderly. Using the 1995 Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey, we describe travel patterns of the elderly and estimate models of trip making, daily travel and transit use. Travel tends to shift to the middle part of the day with age, and trip making declines after age 75. We find that land use and tra...

Demographers are calling it the “Silver Tsunami”. Dramatic world-wide increases in lifespan over the last 60 years coupled with seriously declining birthrates have created a brave new world wherein a growing number of older people are being supported by a shrinking number of younger workers. This is creating a strain on economies, on government resources and on the families and friends of older...

The definition of normal body temperature as 37 degrees C still is considered the norm worldwide, but in practice there is a widespread confusion of the evaluation of body temperature, especially in elderly individuals. In this paper, we discuss the relevance of normal body temperature as 37 degrees C and consequences in clinical practice. Our conclusion is that body temperature should be evalu...

PURPOSE This article profiles the housing settings of frail elderly individuals, whether their homes are facilitating or impeding their ability to live in the community, and the change in disability and housing status before and after passage of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. DESIGN AND METHODS The analysis relies primarily on statistical analysis of the 1995 national American Hous...

Purpose: Case management is a human device which’s purpose is to enhance the quality of services by improving their coordination. However, the case manager is not the sole bearer of the coordination duty; the first line medical doctor, the service user himself and his family caregiver may also contribute. The family caregiver represents a very important coordinator whose contribution to case ma...

PROBLEM ADDRESSED Family physicians provide most of the care for the frail elderly population, but many challenges and barriers can lead to difficulties with fragmented, ineffective, and inefficient services. OBJECTIVE OF PROGRAM To improve the quality, efficiency, and coordination of care for the frail elderly living in the community and to enhance geriatric and interprofessional skills for ...