Cuaderno de enfermería. Revista científica

Vol. 3(1), 39-44, 2025

https://doi.org/10.62574/e4fzm962

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Technological innovations to improve the well-being of the elderly in nursing

homes. Systematic review

Objective: to analyse the contributions of technological innovations to improving well-being in nursing

homes based on a systematic review. Method: systematic review, population of 15 articles.

Conclusion: Technological innovations represent a transformative opportunity to improve the well-

being of residents in nursing homes, optimising their autonomy, quality of life and medical care.

However, their successful implementation depends on overcoming barriers such as lack of resources,

resistance to change and inequalities in access, especially in rural areas or in institutions with limited

resources. The role of nurses is essential in this process, as they are primarily responsible for

integrating these tools into daily care, educating residents and ensuring their safety and effectiveness.

mejorar el bienestar de las residentes en hogares de ancianas, optimizando su autonomía, calidad

de vida y atención médica. Sin embargo, su implementación exitosa depende de superar barreras

como la falta de recursos, la resistencia al cambio y las desigualdades en el acceso, especialmente

en áreas rurales o en instituciones con recursos limitados. El rol de las enfermeras es esencial en

este proceso, por cuanto son las principales responsables de integrar estas herramientas en el

cuidado diario, educar a las residentes y garantizar su seguridad y efectividad.

Descriptores: hogares para ancianos; casas de convalecencia; instituciones de vida asistida.

(DeCS).

Cuaderno de enfermería. Revista científica

Vol. 3(1), 39-44, 2025

Innovaciones tecnológicas para mejorar el bienestar en hogares de

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INTRODUCTION

The ageing of the world's population has led to a significant increase in the demand

for long-term care services, especially in nursing homes. These environments face

challenges related to the quality of care, staff overload and the specific needs of

older adults, many of whom have chronic conditions, physical disabilities or cognitive

impairment (1,2). In this context, technological innovations are being developed as

tools to address these issues, improving both the well-being of residents and the

efficiency of care services (5,9).

cultural change within the institutions (5,6,8).

The role of nurses is fundamental in this process, as they are primarily responsible

for implementing and adapting these technologies to the daily care of the residents

(1,3,15). In this sense, nurses play a key role in educating and motivating older

women to accept and use these tools, as well as in evaluating their effectiveness

and safety (6,9). Despite the progress made, significant barriers remain, such as

unequal access to these technologies, especially in rural areas or in homes with

limited resources (10), and resistance to change on the part of staff and residents

(2,5).

The objective of the article is to analyse the contributions of technological

Cuaderno de enfermería. Revista científica

Vol. 3(1), 39-44, 2025

Innovaciones tecnológicas para mejorar el bienestar en hogares de

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METHOD

An exhaustive search was carried out in recognised scientific databases, including

PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science, covering publications from January

2018 to October 2023. MeSH terms and keywords related to the topic were used,

such as: ‘nursing homes’, ‘technological innovations’, ‘elderly care’, ‘assistive

technology’, ‘virtual reality’ and ‘nursing workforce’.

RESULTS

Assistive technologies contribute to promoting the autonomy and participation of

residents. In this case, André et al. (11) pointed out that these technologies can

improve independence and quality of life, especially in older women with physical or

customisation and specific training for nurses, which can be a challenge in homes

only effective, but also well accepted by older people, suggesting their potential to

complement traditional therapies. However, the lack of access to technological

equipment and resistance to change on the part of staff and residents can limit its

large-scale implementation, as also mentioned by Sturmberg et al. (2) and Nkodo et

al. (6). In this context, nurses have an important role in educating and motivating

residents to participate in these activities.

The organisational culture of nursing homes also has a significant influence on the

adoption of technological innovations, therefore, Deprez et al. (5) explain that

Cuaderno de enfermería. Revista científica

Vol. 3(1), 39-44, 2025

Innovaciones tecnológicas para mejorar el bienestar en hogares de

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person-centred care models, such as the Greenhouse model, can maximise the

organisational processes. On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted

the importance of supporting nursing home staff in the adoption of new technologies.

Likewise, Nkodo et al. (6) pointed out that the lack of resources and work overload

during the pandemic made the implementation of technological tools difficult, which

highlights the need for specific support strategies for nurses and other health

professionals.

In the medical field, technological innovations have also shown potential for

improving pharmacological care and the transition of care. Therefore, Tancredi et al.

(4) analysed the use of pharmacological treatments in residents with osteoporosis,

medication. Likewise, Wang et al. (12) identified that technologies can facilitate the

A major challenge is the unequal access to these technologies, especially in rural

areas or in homes with limited resources, in the face of which Sharma et al. (10)

pointed out that the closure of nursing homes in rural areas can exacerbate

disparities in access to quality care, which raises the need for public policies that

promote equity in the distribution of technological resources. Likewise, the

sustainability of these innovations depends on the ability of nursing homes to

integrate these tools into their daily operations. Therefore, Sturmberg et al. (2)

emphasised that systemic failures in geriatric care, such as a lack of trained

Cuaderno de enfermería. Revista científica

Vol. 3(1), 39-44, 2025

Innovaciones tecnológicas para mejorar el bienestar en hogares de

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personnel and work overload, can limit the effectiveness of these technologies. In

Consequently, technological innovations can influence long-term outcomes such as

time to nursing home admission and mortality. In this regard, Brück et al. (13)

conducted a meta-analysis that showed that technological interventions can delay

nursing home admission and improve the quality of life of residents. McWilliam et al.

(14) also highlighted that these tools can reduce unnecessary transfers between

nursing homes and hospitals, improving continuity of care. In this sense, nurses have

a crucial role in coordinating these transitions and implementing strategies to reduce

the associated risks.

CONCLUSION

well-being of nursing home residents, optimising their autonomy, quality of life and

FINANCING

Non-monetary

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There is no conflict of interest with people or institutions linked to the research.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To the UNIANDES research department.

Cuaderno de enfermería. Revista científica

Vol. 3(1), 39-44, 2025

Innovaciones tecnológicas para mejorar el bienestar en hogares de

43

Cuaderno de enfermería. Revista científica

Vol. 3(1), 39-44, 2025

Innovaciones tecnológicas para mejorar el bienestar en hogares de

44