This article presents an exploration of conversational chatbots designed to alleviate loneliness among older adults. In addition to technical evaluation, it delves into effective communication between these systems and this demographic group, considering linguistic nuances, communicative preferences, and specific emotional needs. The intrinsic importance of chatbots as innovative solutions in combating loneliness is highlighted, emphasizing their ability to be understanding and empathetic allies, contributing to emotional well-being and socialization. The article explores how improved emotional well-being can positively impact the health and quality of life of older adults. The methodology, rooted in triangulation between a literature review and qualitative research through interviews and focus groups with older adults, provides a comprehensive insight into the findings. Ethical, technical, and design considerations such as privacy, autonomy, technology adaptation, and usability are also addressed. The article concludes with practical recommendations for developing user-friendly interfaces that encourage the active participation of older adults in chatbots. This holistic approach not only analyzes the technical effectiveness of chatbots in mitigating loneliness in older adults but delves into human, ethical, and practical aspects, enriching the understanding and implementation of these agents for social and emotional support.

The Quality of Life (QoL) of older adults in nursing homes depends on multiple factors. It is necessary to discover the dimensions of QoL, and to obtain an integrating model, analyzing their relationships. With this aim, an exhaustive systematic literature review has been conducted in this area over the last decade. The research question has been to obtain the advances on the key factors influencing the QoL and well-being of older adults living in nursing homes in the last decade. Multiple databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and Emerald were used. This review was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. “Thematic Synthesis Analysis” was used to analyze the studies. The CADIMA web tool was used to conduct the systematic review. The quality of the studies was assessed. The findings were summarized, obtaining a classification of the relevant studies: models or scales for QoL; vision and perception of the QoL of the stakeholders; and determination of QoL through factors (relationship between factors and predictive factors). The results not only evidence the need for further research into this topic, but also the need for an integrative model of QoL, personalized and adapted both to the residents and the nursing home.

A systematic review of the literature (up to September 2023) has been conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and following the checklist for reporting systematic reviews of PRISMA 2020. The research objective is related to the ethical issues of the Social Work profession associated with the use of digital technologies in professional practice. Increasing ethical challenges arising from the integration of digital technologies in Social Work practice underscore the necessity of this study. Thematic Synthesis Analysis was used to analyze the studies ( n = 15), extracted from five databases: Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and Dialnet Plus. The analysis of documents was carried out with the support of the CADIMA web tool. The results have been grouped into three categories: the effects of digitization on professional practice; education, research and engagement; and ethical challenges in digital professional practice. This article evidences the need to adopt ethical principles and regulatory standards that support the application framework of the profession, and within this framework the right to the protection of digital personal data and the regulation in which they converge.

This review aims to obtain the relationships between characteristics of the facilities and the quality of life of older adult residents, and to obtain the direction in which new studies should be addressed as well as their application to healthcare policies. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Multiple databases have been used: Scopus, Web of Science, Wiley online library, PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and Emerald, from January 1, 2011 to July 1, 2023. Ten studies from 1,037 articles were included. Evidence exists on the positive relationships between quality of life and hours of management, care, activities, and qualified staff, and in general, the characteristics included in the categories of space management, supporting facilities and building services. In contrast charitable and for-profit facilities, Medicaid status, resident acuity, deficiencies, chain affiliation, size, hours of practical nurses, turnover, and financial resources (except occupancy rate) have a negative impact on quality of life or their dimensions.

Este estudio examinó la brecha digital como un motor de exclusión social, analizando el acceso, uso e impacto de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) en la sociedad contemporánea. Como recurso metodológico se llevó a cabo una revisión conceptual y bibliográfica, examinando la interrelación entre la brecha digital y la exclusión social. Se analizaron estudios de caso y datos estadísticos para comprender la magnitud del problema. Se demostró que la brecha digital va más allá de la mera posesión de dispositivos, abarcando la capacidad de uso efectivo y la apropiación de las TIC, influenciada por factores como la alfabetización digital, la infraestructura tecnológica y la disponibilidad de recursos. La falta de acceso y formación tecnológica limita el ejercicio de derechos fundamentales, el acceso al empleo y la educación, generando nuevas formas de marginalización. Llegando a la conclusión que la brecha digital no solo refleja la desigualdad social, sino que actúa como un mecanismo que la perpetúa y amplifica. Se requiere la implementación de políticas públicas integrales que garanticen un acceso equitativo a las TIC y fomenten su uso significativo para la inclusión social, promoviendo la alfabetización digital y la inversión en infraestructura.

En este artículo ofrecemos un argumentario y discusión teórica con base en los principios éticos, valores, moral y normas reguladoras que sustentan el marco de actuación de la profesión del Trabajo Social. Esta ha tenido que reinventarse en los últimos tres años, haciendo uso de su capacidad resiliente y de adaptación ante complejas situaciones, en las que para la profesión y sus profesionales prima el bienestar social de la población como pilar sobre el que avanza la propia disciplina. En este marco, el derecho a la protección de datos personales digitales y la normativa reguladora en la que convergen, teniendo en cuenta el devenir diario de la profesión, de las personas profesionales y de la ciudadanía usuaria. Procediendo a valorar, si en el contexto actual, con el desarrollo y la utilización profesional de recursos tecnológicos, la protección de datos personales y sociales se mantienen en la intimidad, en la privacidad y la confidencialidad. Valorando así mismo, en este contexto, si son extensibles a todas las personas en igualdad, o si, en este tejido de revolución y vorágine tecnológica, en la que nos vemos sumidos, se favorecen situaciones de exclusión y vulnerabilidad social.