Technology has the potential to revolutionise aged care, a pressing issue highlighted at the recent NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) 3rd Ageing Forum. With Australia’s ageing population creating unprecedented demands on the healthcare system, experts argued that integrating smart technology into home care must become a political priority.
Survey Reveals Strong Support for Home Care Technology
Preliminary results from an Australian-first survey, funded by Maridulu Budyari Gumal (SPHERE), show overwhelming support for government-funded home care technologies. The survey of 1000 older Australians, their families, and carers found many respondents are willing to adopt technology if it helps them remain at home longer.
“Seven out of 10 (respondents) were somewhat, definitely or likely to adopt smart sensor technology, or encourage an older person living independently to adopt smart sensor technology in the home…which is quite high,” said Professor Jason Prior from the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures. More than half found the idea of technology-supported care “very or extremely appealing”, with confidence and comfort in using such tools consistently high across gender and age groups.
While most participants believe the government should fund these technologies through home care packages, just over half were also prepared to contribute a small monthly amount.
A Political and Economic Imperative
Professor Paul Egglestone from the University of Newcastle’s FASTLab emphasised the urgency of addressing this issue in the political arena. “We need to advocate for where technology and humanity work hand in hand to keep our parents and grandparents healthy at home,” he said. “I’d like to suggest we make this an election issue.”
As federal parliament passes significant aged care reforms, including higher costs for some residents, the forum’s discussions underline the importance of reducing hospital and aged care facility pressures by enabling older Australians to age in place.
A Critical Challenge for Society
Associate Professor Celia Harris, Senior Research Fellow at Western Sydney University, called the ageing population “the most significant demographic change” impacting Australian society. She highlighted the strain on hospitals, citing a recent case where thousands of geriatric patients occupied beds due to a lack of aged care options.
MetaDog (left) and MetaCat (right) are companion lap robots which mimic the animals fur and look, with soft paws and responsive actions to voice and touch inputs from the user.
Smart Sensors: The Future of Aged Care
Smart sensors and AI were central to discussions at the forum, organised by the NSW Smart Sensing Network and its Healthy@Home consortium. Dr George Margelis, Chair of the Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council, described a future ecosystem where sensors and apps provide cost-efficient, high-quality care at home.
“Sensors are critical, and we can capture information that we never knew was viable before,” Dr Margelis said. “If that data becomes available, we start thinking of new ways of delivering care,” He suggested expanding the scope of the My Health Record Modernisation Act to include sensor data, enabling individuals to play a more active role in their care.
Coordinating Across Government
Catherine Oates Smith, NSSN Human Health Lead, highlighted the challenges of aligning state and federal responsibilities in aged care. “Payment of GPs and aged care package administration are federal matters, whilst the transition of patients from hospital to home, are managed by our state government departments,” she said. “We need both to work together to make this easier for our ageing citizens who want to receive care at home wherever possible.”
Ms Oates Smith also stressed the need for consumer input as funding levels are set for new home care payments, the government’s largest expenditure in the coming decade.
A Health Minister’s Perspective
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park opened the forum, acknowledging that traditional care models and workforce structures cannot meet future demand. “The number of Australians aged 65 and over is expected to double by 2057,” he said. “Technology is not just a tool; it’s a lifeline for an ageing population.”
Bridging the Gaps
Janet McDonald AO, an older Australian, described the aged care system as “muddled” and in need of reform. “Most people don’t think about being aged, or caring (for an older person), until it happens to them,” she said. “We need to think about how we find our way through that muddled system.”
Experts at the forum agreed: adopting technology isn’t just about convenience, it’s about creating a sustainable, effective healthcare system for future generations.
