In homecare, networks are formed by professional, semiprofessional, and informal actors, who collaborate to care for people in need. Modern information and communication technology (ICT) might play an important role to enhance cooperation in homecare networks. Through infrastructuring work, the authors seek to build a comprehensive understanding of the types of collaboration complexity in homecare networks to determine if, when and which technologies are most suitable. This paper examines how homecare networks can be classified according to collaboration complexity. A four-stage research design was followed to develop a taxonomy for homecare collaboration. The taxonomy was applied to 21 care networks, and five types of homecare networks were identified. The taxonomy considers network, tasks, and communication particularities across 13 dimensions, each of which includes three characteristics. Three clusters were identified as more likely than the others to benefit from increased technology use. The taxonomy and archetypes highlight which homecare network types could benefit from increased technology use. Additionally, the taxonomy allows for an iterative re-evaluation of networks to initiate measures for improvement.

Scientists promote the fostering of caring communities as a means of sustainably coping with demographic changes. They consider community-based technologies to have a high potential for supporting the establishment of caring communities. However, implementing community-based technologies is a complex endeavor, making sustainable adoption difficult. We have developed a maturity model aimed at standardizing the monitoring and evaluation of neighborhood projects. Based on a maturity model for integrated care, we conducted a Delphi study, to develop a maturity model for information and communication technology (ICT)-supported neighborhood development. In eight case studies, the model was validated and subsequently adapted to the specific needs and requirements of neighborhood projects. These studies emphasized the importance of at least 12 decisive dimensions and showed that the maturity model could be applied at different stages of a project. The current form of the maturity model can be used to help orient, as well as monitor and evaluate, neighborhood development projects. Future work will be necessary to further develop accompanying materials and services and to foster the exchange of best practices and experience between projects.

Objectives: Mixed home care, in which informal and professional actors work closely together, contributes significantly to ensuring home care up to old age. In this context, collaboration applications can considerably enhance the interactions among caregivers. However, although much research is conducted on need and requirement analyses of such applications, little is known about their introduction and use in care models. The purpose of this contribution is to identify studies that evaluate collaboration applications for mixed home care and compare their outcomes.Methods: To identify literature on mixed home care collaboration applications (mHCA) and their evaluation, a systematic literature review was conducted in five bibliographic databases covering the years 2008 through 2019. The results were supplemented by a search in the meta-database Google Scholar. The evaluation approaches of the studies were analyzed and results compared by using the NASSS framework. Finally, a context concretized model was derived which summarizes interrelations.Results: Twelve qualitative studies evaluating eleven applications could be identified. They report on increased competency in self-management, psychological relatedness, involvement, and understanding. However, most studies conclude that large scale platform tests are still needed to prove significant changes in care processes, communication, or organization.Conclusion: Among other things, their implementation is rather difficult due to the specifics of the target group. To enable a more targeted and successful implementation, it might be helpful to classify care networks beforehand and assess their communication behavior and needs. To prove the added value of mHCAs standardized assessment tools should be used.