Techno-Care in households with Dependent Elderly with Parkinson disease

Abstract

Current technological developments and policy support for active aging have led the European institutions to promote technological care for elderly dependents, since it is believed that they save money to the health systems and promotes the independence of the older people. This paper presents a critical analysis of these assumptions and reflects on the expected real impact of this phenomenon. The analysis considers that a high penetration of this technology is very unlikely, while it detects potential inequalities in its use. Techno-care such as it is known today does not allow the full autonomy of the dependents, or their caregivers, they are only an aid. Therefore, the hypothetical savings for the health systems are questionable. The empirical basis of this analysis comes from a sociological research on Parkinson’s patients in Spain.