Older Australians and their families show widespread support for government-funded sensor devices to facilitate better and safer home care.
Many older Australians, their families and health professionals believe access to smart-sensor technologies would significantly improve their capacity to live at home for longer.
But they must be backed by sufficient government funding, according to new research from the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures.
Featuring a total of 1000 participants, the survey’s preliminary findings revealed the majority of respondents felt having sensor-technology available would help them maintain their autonomy and remain in their homes for longer, so long as the technologies were largely government-funded through home-care packages or similar types of arrangements.
Cost was frequently cited as a concern for participants alongside fears over privacy and security.
Many participants were also willing to contribute varying amounts of money to cover the costs, with more than half indicating they would be happy to pay a small amount every month or so to be able to access the technologies.
Devices aimed at detecting emergencies such as falls and alerting an individual’s carer or family member came out on top as the most valued technology among participants.
“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, lecturer in planning, health and environment at the 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.”
Final outcomes from the survey, developed in collaboration with the NSW Smart Sensing Network and University of Newcastle’s FASTLab as part of the university’s Healthy at Home initiative, are scheduled to be released sometime next year.
“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,” said NSSN Human Health Lead Catherine Oates Smith.
“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.”