South Carolina social work researchers focus on aging-in-place technology

In an effort to provide options for older Americans who want to avoid costly congregate care facilities and intend to age in place, social work researchers at the University of South Carolina will use federal grant dollars to assess the effectiveness of remote home monitoring systems for people who may have more limited aging support and long-term care (LTC) options.

Shaun Owens, an associate professor at the university’s College of Social Work, received a four-year grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The funds will cover work on “technology to support healthy aging, particularly for African Americans in rural areas who may have limited access to specialty and long-term care,” according to an announcement from the university.

“The Research and Entrepreneurial Development Immersion grant is a unique effort to bridge the gap between research and entrepreneurship,” the university added.

Technology is becoming an increasingly important part of coordinated efforts to expand aging-in-place capabilities to more communities. Owens and his colleagues also think it plays an important role in maintaining social interactivity among beneficiaries.

“It’s not only about helping older adults to remain in their homes but also maintaining connections in their community, daily routines and familiar relationships,” Owens said. “This is why it is important that we as academics not only develop interventions to support aging in place but ensure these products reach people outside the walls of our labs.”

Sue Levkoff, director of the university’s SmartSTATE SeniorSMART Center of Economic Excellence, added that the insights will be valuable for potential collaborations with technology vendors.

The funding will “provide Shaun with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to network with other tech companies in bringing innovative aging-related technologies to South Carolina,” Levkoff said.

The work will involve the installation of the ORCATECH Technology Platform, developed by the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). It works by using a combination of hardware and software to “continuously measure daily home-based activities and can monitor changes in behavior,” OHSU explained.

Owens’ work will install the platform in 10 households to “assess its effectiveness, feasibility and acceptance among rural, lower-income African Americans living with cognitive decline and their care partners,” the university explained.

“Understanding the impact of remote-monitoring technology on this population can guide the development of tailored aging-in-place interventions and allow the ability to connect clients to clinicians, other care partners and caregivers,” Owens said.