Ageing, technology, and health: Advancing the concepts of autonomy and independence

Abstract

The global pandemic expedited the adoption of AgeTech solutions that aim to help older adults maintain their autonomy and independence. This article examines the negative impact of the Western worldview of autonomy and independence on older adults. Negative impact can manifest as ageism and may be compounded by intersections of identities with race, gender, and culture. We propose an inclusive framework for health leaders, one that is not binary or categorical, but instead, on a continuum: (1) relational autonomy which assumes that relationships form one’s identity; therefore, no one is autonomous to the exclusion of others, and (2) interdependence which proposes that one’s lifestyle choice is supported by interreliance with aspects of one’s environment. We examine two examples of AgeTech from the perspective of relational autonomy and interdependence and discuss how health leaders can use this inclusive framework to ensure that their services do not discriminate against older adults.