Could smart tech be the answer to aging at home?

Older Australians will accept government-funded technology in the home if it enables them to age at home for longer, a survey has found.

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 NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) and the University of Newcastle’s FASTLab.

It found that technology-supported care at home has a key role to play in the solution to the aged care crisis, with hopes that it will allow older Australians to live in their homes longer and take pressure off the health system.

What were the survey findings?

While most participants felt that smart-sensor technologies should be funded via home care packages or other types of government assistance, just over half of the 1000 respondents were also happy to contribute a small amount each month to the technology.

The survey results also suggested that the most valued technology would be technology which can detect or alert a carer or family member about an emergency, such as a fall.

“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,” said Professor Jason Prior from UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures.

“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.”

Reducing pressure on the aged care system

The results of the survey come just after the federal government and Opposition agreed to aged care reforms to help alleviate the demands of Australia’s rapidly aging 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.

“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 night-time,” said Catherine Oates Smith, NSSN Human Health Lead.

“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 in 2025. It is hoped the survey outcomes will help to 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.

“These survey results make one thing clear: older Australians are ready to use technology that empowers them to stay at home longer,” FASTLab founder and Director Professor Paul Egglestone said. “This data will guide how we roll out these solutions to keep people independent while easing the burden on our healthcare system.”

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