Autonomy and Independence

This book looks at how AgeTech can support the autonomy and independence of people as they grow older. The authors challenge readers to reflect on the concepts of autonomy and independence not as absolutes but as experiences situated within older adults’ social connections and environments. Eleven personas of people around the world provide the context for readers to consider the influence of culture and values on how we understand autonomy and independence and the potential role of technology-based supports. The global pandemic provides a backdrop for the unprecedentedly rapid adoption of AgeTech, such as information and communication technologies or mobile applications that benefit older adults. Each persona in the book demonstrates the opportunity for AgeTech to facilitate autonomy and independence in supporting one’s identity, decision making, advance care planning, self care, health management, economic and social participation, enjoyment and self fulfillment and mobility in the community. The book features AgeTech from around the world to provide examples of commercially available products as well as research and development within the field. Despite the promise of AgeTech, the book highlights the “digital divide,” where some older people experience inadequate access to technology due to their geographic location, socio-economic status, and age. This book is accessible and relevant to everyday readers. Older adults will recognize themselves or peers in the personas and may glean insight from the solutions. Care partners and service providers will identify with the challenges of the personas. AgeTech entrepreneurs, especially “seniorpreneurs,” will appreciate that their endeavours represent a growing trend. Researchers will be reminded that the most important research questions are those that will enhance the quality of life of older adults and their sense of autonomy and independence, or relational autonomy and interdependence.

Lili Liu earned B.Sc. (Occupational Therapy), M.Sc. and Ph.D. (Rehabilitation Science) degrees at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Prior to her graduate education, she worked as an occupational therapist in adult mental health which included older adults living with cognitive impairments. Her academic career began at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine where she served as chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy for over a decade, and where she maintains Adjunct Professor status. Currently, she is Dean of the Faculty of Health at the University of Waterloo, and a Professor in the School of Public Health Sciences. She leads the Aging and Innovation Research Program, with external funding to support undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows who are pursuing careers in aging and health.Christine Daum earned B.Sc. (Occupational Therapy), M.Sc.(Health Promotion), and Ph.D. (Rehabilitation Science) degrees at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. She worked as an occupational therapist in community rehabilitation, community care, and long-term care with older adults as well as persons living with brain injuries in Canada and the Cayman Islands. Christine is a Research Assistant Professor and coordinates Lili Liu’s Aging and Innovation Research Program at the University of Waterloo, and the University of Alberta. She has the privilege of working closely with older adults, care partners, and community organizations to facilitate research that is relevant to their needs and those of their communities.Antonio Miguel Cruz earned a B.Sc. (Nuclear Engineering) degree at the Nuclear Science Institute, Habana, Cuba, and M.Sc.(Bioengineering) and Ph.D. (Bioengineering) degrees at the Technological University, Habana, Cuba. His academic career began at the Technological University, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, where he was Associate Professor and chair of the Bioengineering Centre. He also served as Full Professor and the Chair of the Biomedical Engineering Program, Universidad del Rosario, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bogotá, Colombia. Currently, he is an Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, and a researcher at Glenrose Rehabilitation Research, Innovation & Technology (GRRIT). He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health at the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on technology adoption in health.Noelannah Neubauer earned B.HK. (Human Kinetics), M.Sc.(Interdisciplinary Studies) degrees at University of British Columbia Okanagan. She also completed M.Sc. in Occupational Therapy and Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science degrees at the University of Alberta. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow in Lili Liu’s Aging and Innovation Research Program at the University of Waterloo. She is the co-founder of the International Consortium on Dementia and Wayfinding and co-founder of OTech CanadaAdriana Ríos Rincón earned a B.Sc. (Occupational Therapy) at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, and a M.Sc. (Biomedical Sciences) at the Universidad de Los Andes, both in Bogotá, Colombia. She earned a Ph.D. (Rehabilitation Science) degree at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Her academic career began as an Assistant Professor at the Universidad del Rosario, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bogotá, Colombia, where she also served as the director of a M.Sc. program in Rehabilitation Science for over a year. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health at the University of Waterloo. Her research program examines the effects of implementing advanced technologies on the occupational performance,functioning, and social participation of people with disabilities and older adults.