Older Australians and carers call for Government-backed smart tech to support ageing at home

As Australia’s population ages, there’s a rising focus on harnessing technology-supported care at home to help people stay in their homes longer.

From smart devices that monitor health, provide remote care, detect falls and facilitate emergency responses, technology promises new ways to support ageing in place.

But what do older Australians, and their family and carers really think about these innovations? Is it welcome in their home?

What types of technology-supported care do they value?

And what are they willing to pay?

An Australian-first survey of older Australians and their family carers’ attitudes, involving 1000 respondents, provides insight into these questions.

“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 says.

“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.

“Whilst technology-supported care was valued by many participants in an emergency such as a fall, 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.”

Preliminary results are being released today at the NSW Smart Sensing Network’s (NSSN) 3rd Ageing Forum.

The forum is discussing how technology-supported care at home has a key role to play in the solution to the aged care crisis and will allow older Australians to live in their homes longer.

The results come just after the federal government and opposition agreed to aged care reforms to help alleviate the demands of Australia’s rapidly ageing population.

By 2057, the number of Australians aged 65 and over is expected to double, significantly increasing the demand for costly aged care services.

The government’s reforms mean some aged care residents will pay more, and more home care arrangements will be created so older Australians can delay heading into residential aged care.

Funded by the Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise, the survey was for a project led by the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures in collaboration with the NSSN and the University of Newcastle’s FASTLab.

"In caring for our aging 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 says.

“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."

Ten Australian innovation companies, five NSW universities and three NSW Local Health Districts were also involved in the survey.

The final survey results will be published next year.

It's hoped the survey outcomes will help guide existing initiatives across academia, industry, and NSW and federal governments, and lead to a real-world trial of technology in older people’s homes.

“The intent of the survey is to use the data collected to help inform industry and government about how to roll out these devices so that our ageing population can stay at home longer and reduce demand on acute health care services,” FASTLab Founder and Director Professor Paul Egglestone says.

Other project partners include: Tyree Foundation Institute of Health Engineering, UNSW, Central Coast Research Institute, Central Coast Local Health District, InteliCare Holdings Limited, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Tunstall Healthcare, HammondCare, United For Care, NSW Meals on Wheels, Medical Technology Association of Australia, Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council, Hills Corporate, Vlepis Pty Ltd, D&M Research Pty Ltd.