Technology to Support Older Adults – Personal and Social Interaction (TOPS)

TOPS

The project to develop technology to support older adults (with chronic pain) – personal and social interaction.

Overview

The TOPS project is in response to the widespread upscaling in the use of electronic healthcare technologies (sometimes known as 'telehealthcare') to support patients in their homes.

Interaction with carers is often central to the experience and wellbeing of older adults within our communities. This important social element of care is not commonly considered in home healthcare technology design. Any abrupt or insensitive introduction of such technology may interfere with current levels of personal and social interaction. Older adults with chronic pain may be affected more as they can already feel physically and/or socially isolated.

TOPS is therefore a multidisciplinary project involving healthcare researchers, human geographers, social scientists and computing scientists, developing technologies for older adults with chronic pain living in remote and rural areas. The project aims to retain/enhance personal and social interaction with their health and social care providers.