近年來智慧照護在機構與居家都是一股風潮,幾年前在學術界一直在討論隱形輔助科技(ambient-assisted living)的論點,預測未來全球將逐漸成為高齡化社會,會有網路連線、行動裝置的普及等,因此提出打造隱形輔助生活的科技。而隱形科技的相反就是「過度科技」,所謂的過度就是試圖「取代」人的功能;長期照護提倡應用各式各樣的科技來協助高齡者的安全照顧,這類過度科技的產品對高齡者的健康可能沒有幫助,往往還造成更快的退化,更忽略了高齡者對自主尊嚴生活的渴求。真正的隱形輔助科技照護環境,重點在結合5G資通訊科技與元宇宙虛實整合的照護思維,形成一個網狀的生態系統,而不是一個線性串連的科技組合。
Smart care has become a trend in care institutions and households in recent years. Ambient-assisted living (AAL) has been a topic of increased academic interest over the past decade in line with societal aging and the proliferation of internet and mobile technologies. At the extreme end of AAL is "over-science", a situation in which human functions are over replaced by scientific technologies. This may not only jeopardize the health of older individuals but exacerbate the progress of their dysfunctions by ignoring their desire for self-respect and autonomy. Therefore, the aim of AAL should be to create a web ecosystem rather instead of creating a linearly clustered combination of computerized gadgets.