Title page 1

Contents 4

Abbreviations 9

Contributors 10

Acknowledgments 12

Foreword 13

1. Reimagining Elder Care: Unlocking the Potential of Digitalization in Meeting the Needs 15

1.1. Introduction 15

1.2. Digitalization for Improving Elder Care: An Analytical Literature Review 17

1.3. Digital Healthcare Transformation: Strategic Challenges and Measurable Impacts 27

1.4. Conclusion 29

References 31

PART I. Understanding the Care Landscape of Older People in the Digital Era 32

2. Barriers to Digital Healthcare Adoption Among Older Populations: A Comprehensive Review of Challenges and Policy Solutions 33

2.1. Introduction 33

2.2. Methodology 35

2.3. Barriers to the Adoption of Digital Healthcare Solutions for Older People 38

2.4. Training and Education Needs 42

2.5. Policy and Regulatory Frameworks 46

2.6. Limitations and Future Research Directions 49

2.7. Conclusion 50

References 51

3. Silver Surfers and Digital Drift: The Adoption of Technology and Elder Care Amid Rising Suicide Rates 58

3.1. Introduction 58

3.2. Empirical Methodology 62

3.3. Dynamics of Demographic Transition: Insights and Interpretations 66

3.4. Robustness Check 76

3.5. Conclusion 77

References 79

Appendix 81

4. Digitalization in Elder Care: Addressing Global Aging Challenges and Bridging Healthcare Gaps with Voice-Assisted Technology 83

4.1. Introduction 83

4.2. Literature Review 86

4.3. Methodology 88

4.4. Conclusion 100

References 102

PART II. Regional Insights into Digital Healthcare for Older People 105

5. Use of Telemedicine in the Care of Older Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Case Studies of Singapore and Hong Kong, China 106

5.1. Introduction 106

5.2. Case Study of Hong Kong, China 107

5.3. The Case Study of Singapore 113

5.4. Comparative Analysis on the Use of Telemedicine in Singapore and Hong Kong, China 118

5.5. Critical Factors for the Use and Growth of Telemedicine 119

5.6. Conclusion 122

References 123

6. Smart Platforms for Elder Care: A Case Study of Taiyuan, People's Republic of China 131

6.1. The Concept of Smart Elder Care 131

6.2. Challenges of Use of Smart Technologies for the Care of Older People in Developing Economies 132

6.3. Smart Elder Care in the People's Republic of China 134

6.4. The Practice of the Smart Elder Care Platform: A Case Study of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province 139

6.5. Policy Implications 144

References 147

Appendix 150

7. Assessing the Potential for Digital Transformation in Elder Care in the Rural Sector: The Case of Sri Lanka 167

7.1. Introduction 167

7.2. Literature Review 169

7.3. Data and Methodology 171

7.4. Results and Discussion 178

7.5. Conclusions and Policy Implications 188

References 191

PART III. Technology's Impact on Elder Care and Well-Being 198

8. Global Trends and Opportunities of Healthcare Driven by Generative Artificial Intelligence and Behavioral Attitude of Older People... 199

8.1. Introduction 199

8.2. Literature Review 202

8.3. Research Methodology 204

8.4. Future Trends and Implications 212

8.5. Limitations and Future Research Guidelines 215

8.6. Conclusions 215

References 216

9. Nexus Between Smartphone Use and Objective and Subjective Well-Being Outcomes: Insights from Older Residents in Rural Areas... 221

9.1. Introduction 221

9.2. Background and Literature Review 223

9.3. Conceptual Framework 225

9.4. Materials and Methods 228

9.5. Empirical Methods 235

9.6. Conclusions, Policy Recommendations, and Limitations 244

References 246

10. Enhancing Elder Care Through Technology: Empirical Insights from Older Urban Women in India 254

10.1. Introduction 254

10.2. Literature Review 256

10.3. Proposed Conceptual Framework and Hypothesis Statements 259

10.4. Study Design and Demographics 262

10.5. Measurement Model: Reliability and Validity 269

10.6. Hypothesis Testing 271

10.7. Conclusions 279

References 281

Appendix 286

Conclusion 298

11. The Future of Digital Healthcare: Policy Options 299

11.1. Introduction 299

11.2. Age Dependency Ratio and Healthcare Status 300

11.3. Current State of Digital Healthcare 301

11.4. Sustainability of Elder Care and the Role of Digitalization 304

11.5. Proposed Policy Formulation 305

11.6. Conclusion 308

References 310

Table 1.1. Inclusion Criteria of Systematic Literature Review 18

Table 1.2. Cluster Analysis Score 20

Table 3.1. Results: Panel Data with Random Effects in Developed Economies 73

Table 3.2. Results: Panel Data with Random Effects in Emerging and Developing Economies 74

Table 4.1. Distribution of the Population Aged 53 Years and Older in Mexico by Gender, Age Group, and Principal Illness, 2018 and 2021 90

Table 7.1. Summary Statistics of Sample Data and Statistical Significance of Differences Between Two Age Groups 172

Table 7.2. Benchmark Values of the Digital Literacy Levels 174

Table 7.3. Benchmark Values of the Awareness Levels 175

Table 7.4. Variables of the Multiple Regression Model 177

Table 7.5. Digital Literacy Level of the Respondents 182

Table 7.6. Awareness of Digital Services and Equipment 183

Table 7.7. Affordability of Digital Equipment and Internet Services 183

Table 7.8. Accessibility to Digital Facilities in Rural Areas 185

Table 7.9. Results of the Multiple Regression Model 186

Table 8.1. Autonomous Systems for Elder Support: Present Status and Future Trends 206

Table 8.2. Demographic Information 207

Table 8.3. Factors Pursuing Positive Attitude Toward Autonomous Systems Driven by GAI 208

Table 9.1. Variable Definitions and Descriptive Statistics 231

Table 9.2. Mean Differences in Selected Variables Between Older Rural Smartphone Users and Nonusers 234

Table 9.3. Predictors of Older Rural Residents' Smartphone Use: Probit Model 237

Table 9.4. ATE Estimates 238

Table 9.5. Disaggregated by Gender 240

Table 9.6. Disaggregated by Living Arrangements 243

Table 10.1. Cronbach's Alpha, AVE, and CR scores of all Constructs PE, EE, SI, FC, and ADT 270

Table 10.2. Divergent Validity Analysis (using Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio) 270

Table 10.3. Fit Indexes of the Three SEM Models (all gender, male, female) 271

Table 10.4. H1 Hypothesis Testing Metrics of the Three SEM Models (all gender, male, female) 272

Table 10.5. H2 Hypothesis Testing Metrics of the Three SEM Models (all gender, male, female) 273

Table 10.6. H3 Hypothesis Testing Metrics of the Three SEM Models (all gender, male, female) 275

Table 10.7. H4 Hypothesis Testing Metrics of the Three SEM Models (all gender, male, female) 276

Table 10.8. H5 Hypothesis Testing Metrics of the Three SEM Models (all gender, male, female) 278

Table 11.1. Proposed Policies for Elder Care Through Digitalization 308

Table A3.1. Description of Variables Used in PCA for Forming the Digital Index 81

Table A3.2. Importance of Components for PCA Results 82

Table A6.1. Policies on Smart Elder Care issued by the Central Government of the PRC 150

Table A6.2. Policies Related to Smart Elder Care Issued by Local Governments in the PRC's 31 Provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) 156

Table A10.1. State-wise Key Policies and Programs and Gaps 286

Table A10.2. Summary of Key Education and Training Programs for Older Citizens and Women: Digital and Business Skills 287

Table A10.3. Key Organizations Supporting Older People in India: Focus Areas and Services 288

Table A10.4. Identified Gaps and Implications for Elder Care 289

Table A10.5. Questionnaire for Survey Conducted among Older Urban Individuals 290