Digital Health, AI, and Technology in Geriatric Rehabilitation: Current Status and Future Directions

Maintaining health and independence is the primary concern for older adults. For the last two decades, technology-based tools, including digital health, artificial intelligence (AI)-based care management models, and assistive technologies (AT), have emerged to provide innovative and effective ways to help seniors in managing their daily activities, mobility, comorbidities, and remain in their homes independently as long as possible. Technology may also enable healthcare systems and rehabilitation specialists to effectively and efficiently address the specific needs of older adults. These technologies often complement traditional healthcare services, aiming at chronic disease management, fall prevention, mobility enhancement, cognitive support, nutrition, and improving social connectedness. The key to developing effective digital health and technologies is the seamless integration of the user's capabilities and the technologies. Literature reports promising results for the feasibility and effectiveness of these digital health and AI-based technologies, as well as their potential for widespread dissemination.

Healthcare providers should be knowledgeable about the role of digital health, AI, and other technologies in meeting the specific needs of older adults, including their pros and cons, target population, barriers to implementation, and strategies for overcoming them. This session will discuss the needs and market analysis of digital health and AT, currently available technologies and their effectiveness, and considerations for their meaningful utilization in the future. The presentation will cover categories of digital health, AI use, and technologies, as well as their target areas: chronic disease management and medication optimization, mobility enhancement and fall prevention, cognitive assessment and training, addressing social isolation, and supporting caregivers. Presenters will also discuss potential issues, including privacy, ethical concerns, and the affordability of technology tools, as well as how healthcare providers can collaborate with tech sectors to drive the meaningful development of technologies.