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Older Australians have said they would welcome government-funded smart tech in their homes, especially for fall detection.
A survey of 1,000 older Australians and their carers has revealed that seniors would happily accept government-funded smart tech in their homes, particularly if it means they can age in place without going into care.
More than half would even make a small monthly financial contribution, especially for technology that can detect falls and other emergencies.
The survey results were released today (22 November) at the NSW Smart Sensing Network’s third annual Ageing Forum.
“A large number of older people and carers who participated in the survey considered technology-supported care in the home to be appealing for themselves or the person they care for, believing it would enhance safety, independence, and their ability to live at home for longer,” Professor Jason Prior from UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures said in a statement.
“But at the same time, their acceptance of technology-supported care at home is nuanced, with varying levels of engagement and some reservations and cautiousness. While technology-supported care was valued by many participants in emergencies and for extending independent living, privacy concerns were also evident for many. While the cost of these technologies was a concern for many participants, many also indicated that they were willing to pay varying amounts for the technologies.”
The number of people expected to be older than 65 in Australia is expected to double by 2057, presenting a challenge to the aged-care industry. Recent government reforms will add more home-care arrangements, which survey respondents believe could be used to fund smart monitoring tech.
“In caring for our ageing population, sensor-driven alert systems powered by AI and data have the potential to significantly reduce fall incidents among frail and elderly individuals, especially during nighttime,” NSSN human health lead Catherine Oates Smith said.
“These systems can generate both preventative and emergency alerts, complementing the care provided to older adults, and may also incorporate telehealth services. This ecosystem approach helps ease the burden on caregivers by reducing the need for frequent in-person checks, enabling elderly individuals to remain safely at home – whatever ‘home’ means for them – while reducing pressure on our busy hospitals.”
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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