As the global population ages, the integration of technology into eldercare has become a critical area of focus. While gerontechnology has advanced the intersection of aging studies and technological innovation, a more interdisciplinary and human-centered approach is necessary to ensure that these solutions address the complex social, cultural, and economic factors that shape aging experiences. Social technology offers a framework that not only enhances functionality but also prioritizes the lived experiences of older adults, fostering more meaningful and sustainable interventions.
Hong-Tu Chen, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, co-director of the Social Technology for Global Aging Research Initiative (STGA) at Harvard Medical School. The STGA initiative aims to develop socially and culturally appropriate technological solutions to improve care for older adults with frailty, dementia, and other age-related conditions. By integrating technological innovation with complex social systems, STGA seeks to enhance quality of life, reduce caregiving burdens, and ensure ethical and humanistic standards in aging interventions.
The initiative brings together expertise from six Harvard schools, including:
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS)
- Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD)
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (SPH)
- Harvard Business School (HBS)
- Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS)
- Harvard Medical School (HMS)
This interdisciplinary collaboration ensures that social technologies are contextually relevant, scalable, and sustainable.
In this Q&A, Dr. Chen discusses the evolution of the social technology framework, the role of interdisciplinary partnerships, and the emerging trends shaping the future of aging-related technologies.
Q: What led to the adoption of social technology as a framework for addressing the needs of older adults?
Dr. Chen: Our research program, Social Technology for Global Aging Initiative at Harvard, was established before we formally adopted social technology as a framework. Professor Arthur Kleinman was the first person to propose the term “social technology.” Initially, we combined “social” and “technology” because the program involved collaboration between social scientists and engineers. Over time, this interdisciplinary approach evolved into a structured approach spanning six Harvard schools.
Q: How does social technology improve upon traditional approaches, such as gerontechnology, in supporting aging populations?
Dr. Chen: Gerontechnology, for example, has long focused on integrating aging studies with technological advancements. While social technology also emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, it goes further by prioritizing a deep understanding of older adults’ lived experiences within their social and cultural contexts. This approach ensures that technological solutions are not only functional but also meaningful and relevant to their users.
Q: What methodologies do you use to ensure that social technologies are tailored to diverse cultural, economic, and social contexts?
Dr. Chen: A critical step in designing or adapting social technologies is achieving a comprehensive understanding of the target population’s context. Ethnographic field studies conducted by multidisciplinary teams play a key role in this process. A combination of ethnography and interdisciplinary collaboration allows us to gain nuanced insights into the needs and challenges of diverse aging populations, ensuring that solutions are contextually appropriate.
Q: Which digital tools (e.g., mobile apps, wearable sensors) have shown the most promise in reducing social isolation and loneliness among older adults?
Dr. Chen: Social isolation and loneliness among older adults have become pressing global challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous studies tested digital interventions for mitigating these issues. Real-time video communication with family and friends proved highly effective but also posed challenges, such as time constraints for family members. Online games, such as Mahjong, have shown promise in fostering social engagement among older adults who enjoy such activities. These tools provide accessible and enjoyable ways to maintain social connections.
Q: Beyond digital literacy, what are the key factors influencing older adults’ adoption of technology?
Dr. Chen: While digital literacy is often highlighted as a key factor in technology adoption, we believe it is only one part of the broader picture. A more comprehensive approach considers multiple contextual factors, such as social support, motivation to learn, community norms, financial constraints, and accessibility. Viewing technology acceptance through this broader lens allows for a more inclusive and effective strategy for adoption.
Q: How has interdisciplinary collaboration between social scientists, engineers, and healthcare providers shaped the development of social technologies for aging populations?
Dr. Chen:
Our research has demonstrated that interdisciplinary collaboration enhances social technology development in at least three critical ways: 1) It shapes how we conceptualize and study aging-related challenges. 2) It increases the likelihood that technological solutions align with older adults’ lived experiences. 3) It facilitates the scaling and sustainability of effective interventions in real-world settings.
Q: With advancements in AI and Internet of Things (IoT), what are the most promising emerging trends in social technology for eldercare?
Dr. Chen: This is an ongoing discussion within our group, and we have yet to reach a definitive conclusion. Broadly, there are two possible perspectives: One views AI as a component of technology, in which case we would apply our social technology framework as a methodological approach to developing AI-driven solutions for older adults. The other sees AI as a fundamentally different category of tools that may require new conceptual and practice frameworks. Despite these open questions, several promising emerging trends are already shaping the landscape. These include AI-powered social robots that support companionship and mental health, and personalized care coordination platforms that enhance communication between clients and healthcare providers. We continue to explore how these developments can be ethically and sustainably integrated within a social technology framework as the field evolves.
The application of social technology in eldercare offers a structured framework that integrates technological innovation with the social, cultural, and economic contexts of aging populations. The interdisciplinary collaboration among social scientists, engineers, and healthcare providers is essential for developing contextually appropriate and sustainable technological solutions. Digital tools present new opportunities to address challenges such as social isolation, accessibility, and caregiving support. By refining this approach and integrating emerging technologies to improve the quality of care and support systems for older adults.