Exploring new horizons: challenges and opportunities for ehealth in geriatric rehabilitation

Abstract

eHealth holds potential to improving rehabilitation outcomes for older adults receiving geriatric rehabilitation. Blended and simple eHealth interventions are the most promising and feasible. Despite these potentials, the adoption of eHealth in geriatric rehabilitation is still limited. Key barriers need to be overcome, such as the lack of usability outcomes, the lack of an organization-wide implementation strategy and the urgent need for healthcare professionals for reliable information on how to effectively identify, use and evaluate eHealth. Additionally, wearable sensors have proven to be capable of quantifying physical activity, sedentary behaviour and the patterns of sedentary in older adults during and after geriatric rehabilitation. Notably, this population engages in very low levels of physical activity and spends the majority of their waking hours in sedentary behaviour. Finally, The use of wearable sensors show potential in improving the prediction of functional recovery at discharge.