Use and development of new technologies in public welfare services: A user-centred approach using step by step communication for problem solving

Abstract

Demographic changes and the resultant projected increase in older people needing care and support combined with a concurrent decrease in numbers of professional carers has led to increasing focus on possible technical care solutions. These solutions are supposed to support people who need care with their health, quality of life and level of independence on the one hand, and on other achieve cost savings in the health care system by keeping more people in their own homes rather than nursing homes. Against this background, this chapter shows contextual factors in this area in the first section, key drivers in the second and finally factors affecting success in the development and implementation of technical solutions. It takes account of the perspective of voluntary care services and focuses on lessons learnt in practice. In this way, this chapter provides important tips for implementing new projects-without going beyond the bounds of general knowledge.