We are delighted to announce the upcoming publication of our book, Technologies in Palliative Care for Older People. It will be released on the 22nd of December 2025, as part of the prestigious Synthesis Lectures on Technology and Health series of Springer Nature.
As experts in palliative care and digital health, we have written this book to help address a critical gap in the evidence about around technology, aging and palliative care. Our book provides a knowledge synthesis about technologies within palliative care for older people. It will be essential reading for practitioners, students, policymakers and those providing hospice care, who wish to understand how to best use digital health in palliative care practice.
The importance of recognising the unmet potential of technological innovation in palliative care
Our book forms parts of the AGE-WELL series. This is a collection of books published in partnership with AGE-WELL, an international technology and aging network, that explores AgeTech. AgeTech refers to the use of advanced technologies such as Information and communication technologies, robotics, mobile technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), ambient systems, and pervasive computing to drive technology-based innovation to benefit older adults [1].
Although the use of digital health is increasing, there is significant unmet potential in palliative care [2]. This is vital to address, as the global need palliative care is increasing due to an aging population (and other socioeconomic factors) [3, 4].
Despite an increase in digital innovations, there is limited understanding of how they can be meaningfully used to manage older adults as their health deteriorates [5]. Although there is a continued plethora of new digital health technologies (e.g. wearables, sensors, monitoring. physical aides, communication aides etc etc), many existing AgeTech applications are designed to facilitate diagnosis, share information and maintain physical function in healthy older adults [6].
There is often little focus on how these tools can be used dynamically to respond to escalating, complex physical and psychosocial needs that accompany worsening health and palliative care [7, 8]. For example, a digital health application which requires touch and voice inputs may become unusable for someone with serious illness who develops decreased hand dexterity and speech problems due to fatigue.
Technologies in Palliative Care for Older People explores the opportunities and the challenges of using digital health innovations by and for older people as their palliative care needs increase. It provides a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary overview moving the focus of digital health from prevention, and ‘aging in place’, to the evolving care requirements of individuals facing a life-limiting illnesses.
A personalised and practical exploration of important digital health issues in palliative care for older people
Aims and objectives
The book begins with an overview of palliative care’s origins and describes the exciting developments in technology for ageing. We then address the key barriers that limit the meaningful use of technology in practice, factors include issues around interoperability, cost, data privacy, and societal concerns (e.g., that new technology will cause harmful disruption and displace face-to-face human interaction).
We highlight the importance of defining digital health research priorities in palliative care. This includes debating how finite resources should be allocated to make the biggest impact. To ensure our work remained grounded in the user experience, we adopted a unique and uniform structure for the core chapters.
We describe the possibilities of how technology can support an older person across different phases of their health trajectory (e.g., diagnosis, supportive care, and end-of-life care). This is achieved by using ‘personas’ (semi-fictionalised case studies) with practical examples of how technological interventions can be used in the real-world. We use these ‘personas’ to tell a story from the perspective of an older person. For each topic, we present the real-world ‘challenge’ and then suggest potential digital health solutions.
These ‘persona’ chapters focus on the following key areas:
- Communication
- Physical Health
- Psychosocial Care
- Care Coordination
- Care at the End of Life
We also dedicate specific examples to illustrate the potential of AI in these contexts. In the concluding sections, we summarise our findings, discuss emerging issues, and identify future directions for research and policy related to palliative care digital health.
Who is Technologies in Palliative Care for Older People for?
Our primary goal was to provide health practitioners, care professionals, academics, and students (who are interested in technology and aging) with an accessible and practical overview of how digital health technologies can potentially support palliative care delivery.
After reading the publication, you will be better equipped to:
- Understand the significance of palliative care needs as people age.
- Appreciate the potential of technology-based products and services to meet those needs.
- Develop understanding of the specific practical, research, and policy challenges in this area.
- Have greater insight into the main directions for future research and innovation.
- Understand areas of good practice when working with people with palliative care needs and technology.
Pre-order your copy today!
Technologies in Palliative Care for Older People will be an essential guide for anyone working at the intersection of aging, technology, and serious illness. You can pre-order your copy below and ask your librarian to obtain a copy for your institution. You might also want to ask directors of relevant educational courses to include this book as a recommended resource.
Book Title: Technologies in Palliative Care for Older People
Publisher: Springer Nature
Release Date: December 22nd, 2025
Hardcover Edition: The durable hardcover edition is available for pre-order at £79.99. Take advantage of free shipping worldwide by securing your copy here:
https://link.springer.com/book/9783032042767
Paperback Edition: A paperback edition will be available in 2026
eBook Edition: For academic and healthcare professionals, please note that the book will also be widely accessible through the Springer Nature eBook licence, meaning many readers may have access to the eBook on release. Please consult your institution library for further details if you have a Springer Nature licence.
Left to right: James Norris, Dr Amara Nwosu, Professor Mark Taubert, Sarah Stanley
Authors
Dr Amara Callistus Nwosu
Palliative Care Department, Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster, United Kingdom
Sarah Stanley
Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
James Norris
Founder of MyWishes,& The Digital Legacy Association Michael Sobell Hospice, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood London, United Kingdom
Professor Mark Taubert
Palliative Care Department, Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff, United Kingdom
——————-
References
- Sixsmith A. AgeTech: Technology-based solutions for aging societies. Promoting the health of older adults: the Canadian experience. 2021;135.
- Nwosu AC, McGlinchey T, Sanders J, Stanley S, Palfrey J, Lubbers P, et al. Identification of digital health priorities for palliative care research: modified delphi study. JMIR aging. 2022;5(1):e32075.
- Bone AE, Gomes B, Etkind SN, Verne J, Murtagh FEM, Evans CJ, et al. What is the impact of population ageing on the future provision of end-of-life care? Population-based projections of place of death. Palliative Medicine. 2017;32(2):329-36.
- Etkind SN, Bone AE, Lovell N, Cripps RL, Harding R, Higginson IJ, et al. The Role and Response of Palliative Care and Hospice Services in Epidemics and Pandemics: A Rapid Review to Inform Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of pain and symptom management. 2020;60(1):e31-e40.
- Finucane A, O’Donnell H, Lugton J, Swenson C, Pagliari C. Digital Health Interventions in Palliative Care: A Systematic Meta-Review and Evidence Synthesis. medRxiv. 2020:2020.09.16.20195834.
- Mariano B. Towards a global strategy on digital health. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2020;98(4):231.
- Hancock S, Preston N, Jones H, Gadoud A. Telehealth in palliative care is being described but not evaluated: a systematic review. BMC Palliative Care. 2019;18(1):114.
- Nwosu AC. Telehealth requires improved evidence to achieve its full potential in palliative care. SAGE Publications Sage UK: London, England; 2023. p. 896-7.
This blog post on the upcoming book Technologies in Palliative Care for Older People highlights a critical and timely discussion It is encouraging to see experts address the gap in using digital health to support the complex needs of older adults with life limiting illnesses The focus on practical solutions using personas is particularly valuable for practitioners Organizations like DEAN Foundation which provide hospice and palliative care services in India would find these insights crucial for integrating technology to improve communication psychosocial support and care coordination for their patients as needs evolve
Palliative Care in Kanchipuram, Hospice Care in Kanchipuram, Paediatric Hospice and Palliative Care in Kanchipuram, Rural Healthcare in Kanchipuram, Palliative Care in Coimbatore, Hospice Care in Coimbatore, Paediatric Hospice and Palliative Care in Coimbatore, Rural Healthcare in Coimbatore, Palliative Care in Chennai, Hospice Care in Chennai, Paediatric Hospice and Palliative Care in Chennai, Rural Healthcare in Chennai, Palliative Care in India, Hospice Care in India, Paediatric Hospice and Palliative Care in India, Rural Healthcare in India