Age-Inclusive ICT Innovation for Service Delivery in South Africa

This open access book presents the first systematic, co-created process to develop and implement an information and communication technology (ICT) solution for all ages, which would be relevant to their tangible and intangible care needs, It presents the discussion in the context of South Africa, a developing country and details a workable, transdisciplinary and relational approach to 21st-century ICT innovation that helps create applications tailored to purpose. Worldwide, it is anticipated that care needs of older populations will outstrip available resources. Sub-Saharan Africa lacks long-term care systems, and technology could play a crucial role in supporting families, communities and government in care management. This volume addresses the under-explored topic of age-inclusive ICT development and use in resource-poor countries. Divided into three parts, Part I provides a context of the work relating to ICT service delivery to older persons globally and within South Africa. It discusses the we-DELIVER project as an example of age-inclusive technology in developing countries. Part 2 critically evaluates Eurocentric ethical protocols which are either irrelevant or even harmful when applied without context, and discusses alternatives that are more suited to poorer countries with differing cultures. Part 3 discusses the impact and sustainability of such ICT projects and provides useful templates to assist with future designs of age-inclusive ICT solutions in developing countries. This topical volume is of interest to social science researchers and students of lifecourse studies, ageing and age care, technology studies, social policy, and social work.