Technology Support to Integrated Care for the Management of Older People

In the quest for sustainable systems for the deployment of healthcare, Integrated care represents a pillar for the de-hospitalization of care, the management of chronic conditions, and the prevention of frailty. This model, though, implies a multilevel complexity and many challenges that have often led to its underutilization in the past. Modern ICT offers the possibility of collecting and sharing large amounts of data and opening new avenues of utilization and intercross of data. Digital solutions can contribute to more efficient use of healthcare resources and better targeted, more integrated, and safer healthcare. Moreover, ICT allows to cross the traditional dividing lines between health and social care and supports independent living and home care for those with chronic conditions. These opportunities require a paradigm shift and change management, for which ICT once again provides good support. In this chapter, we propose some hints of the future of ICT-supported integrated care.