International Rural Aging Project

Invited Symposia

Revolution in Information and Communication Technology, Impact on Rural Aging

Convener: Michel Frossard
Professor, University Pierre Mendes, Grenoble, France

Date Saturday, June 10
Time 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location Parlor A, Civic Center

Abstract
New technologies of information and communication can offer a considerable opportunity to elderly people living in rural areas in many ways, including health, citizenship and empowerment. They can also offer economic opportunity. This symposium will focus on three issues, representing three different ways to address the challenge of rural aging.

1. Incapacity is generally correlated with a decrease of contacts with friends, sometimes with relatives, and more generally, with the human environment. The decline of physical capacity, the loss of autonomy, and the development of mental impairment are often related to a loss of social roles and an increase of social handicap. How can the NTIC contribute to improve social relationships, social roles, participation and empowerment? Can the access to the virtual world they can promote compensate for the negative consequences of incapacity?
   

2. NTIC are already very present in the healthcare industry. Telemedicine allows physicians to share a diagnosis, to perform surgery at a distance, and to promote continued education. Telecare technologies to chronic patients and disabled elderly are less common, but a great number of projects and experiments are being developed all around the world. What are the real benefits for the patients? How do they change professional practices? How are these changes accomplished? How are nurses and social workers associated to the decisions? What are the benefits, in the economic meaning, for social security systems and public and private health insurance companies? What are the difficulties to assess scientifically such an innovation? And what are the significant results already received by researchers and professionals?
   

3. NTIC are generally considered a means to promote economic growth in remote areas, to maintain an active social life. A lot of money is given in many developed countries, in North America and in Europe, where specific research and demonstration programs are convened, associating several countries. What do we know of the impacts of this strategy, especially on rural areas and on rural aging? How can we be successful in trying to achieve both economic and social goals, this being generally considered impossible until now? Are NTIC the magic tool to succeed in this challenge?

Support for Older People and Their Family Careers by Using Internet and Videoconference - A Presentation of the EU Project ACTION
H. Berthold, , L. Magnusson,, L. Brito., M. Chambers., T. Daly, D. Emery.

The Demand of Telemedicine: An Economic Assessment
Michel Frossard, Nathalie Genin, Jerome Fourcade, GPSP, CPDG – Universite Pierre Mendes, Grenoble, France

From Health Care Services to Internet Publishing: How to Deliver Health, Prevention, Wellness and Self-Care Information Anywhere, Anytime
Marcie Parker, Golden Valley, Minnesota, US

Teleremedy Project
Vassiliko Danelli, OTE, Greece

Continuing Education Credits
WV Social Work: 1.5 hrs
1.5 AMA Category 1 CME