Gerontechnology: A Scoping Review of Telehealth and Ageing in Place Initiatives for Kaumātua with a Focus on Dementia and Loneliness

19 May 2025

This brief was written by Rangimahora Reddy, the inaugural Ageing Well Fellow during her time working with the Office of the Chief Science Advisor as a part of the Ageing Well National Science Challenge.

The Brief includes:

a. a summary of the ageing landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a specific focus on kaumātua

b. key findings from a review of the literature focused on systematic and scoping reviews involving older adults and caregivers, looking at technological innovations, interventions for cognitive improvement, dementia care strategies, and efforts to reduce loneliness and social isolation

c. recommendations to inform practice, policy, and future actions to improve the access, design, implementation, and adoption of gerontechnology solutions for kaumātua. These recommendations include implications for New Zealand and next steps including areas for future research.

Read more

Other stories

Academic LiteratureTe Tiriti
Alter Native title capitalised with a green koru in the background with two korus intertwined in the middle coming from the sides, the left one is white turned up and the right one is less opaque turned down
Decolonising outcome measurement: a systematic review of health and wellbeing measures for Māori

Decolonising outcome measurement: a systematic review of health and wellbeing measures for Māori

The objective of the study is to conduct a systematic review and methodological quality appraisal on studies reporting the development of health and wellbeing outcome measures for Māori (Indigenous people of New Zealand), identify common features and processes, and critically appraise the measures using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN).

Key issues

HEALTH SERVICES AND SYSTEMS

Covering developments in the provision, funding and organisation of health care services.

EQUITY

Exploring the impacts of the health system on minorities within the population, notably including Māori, Pacifica, Asians and LGBTQI.

DRUGS, DEVICE AND DIAGNOSTICS

Covering prescription medicines and medical devices.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Focusing on efforts to promote health and prevent disease through social and economic interventions.

DIGITAL HEALTH

Exploring the potential digital transformation to provide a more connected and accessible health system.

TE TIRITI

Monitoring how the health reforms and the performance of the health sector uphold Te Tiriti obligations.