Robots and artificial intelligence, wearable technology and telehealth will help people stay in their homes for longer, says
\nCoreLogic\u2019s chief technology officer Greg Dickason.<\/p>\n
Around 15 per cent of Australia\u2019s population, or 3.8 million people, is currently aged 65 and over \u2013 and this is projected to more than double by 2057.<\/p>\n
This ageing population presents many challenges, but technology is coming to the rescue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and connected cloud infrastructure will come together to provide e-health, telehealth and monitoring that helps people stay active and in their homes for longer,\u201d Mr Dickason said.<\/p>\n
Expect real-time monitoring to accelerate rapidly in independent living units, as wearable devices keep tabs on heart rates, intelligent toilets test sugar levels and cameras connected to AI algorithms watch for warning signs.<\/p>\n
\u201cAI will pick up that a person\u2019s gait has slowed or that their temperature is elevated, for example, and will notify doctors who will then check in via video conferencing facilities,\u201d Mr Dickason said.<\/p>\n
AI \u201clearns\u201d normal patterns of behaviour at the individual and grouphome level and can alert supervisors of any issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cNeutral systems powered by AI will eliminate elder abuse in aged care facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Technology will support physical activity and physiotherapy, with older people firing up the Xbox or Wii for exercise.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see older people exercising together \u2013 not physically in the same room, but still together.\u201d<\/p>\n
All of these technologies will keep people in their homes for longer \u2013 but Mr Dickason said many advancements may be more than a decade away.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat will come soon is IoT monitoring solutions, they are already here; but we\u2019ll see more apps and smart watches that communicate with local WiFi.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe big thing for me is integration, at the simple level. When Uncle Bill doesn\u2019t turn the light on overnight, a system will raise an alert – we don\u2019t need much extra technology for that.\u201d<\/p>\n
What can the retirement living industry do now to prepare for this brave new world?<\/p>\n
\u201cSell the benefits of technology and of ageing with confidence\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnology will help people to stay independent, and we\u2019ll be trading off a bit of privacy for a future where people enjoy a better quality of life for longer.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Robots and artificial intelligence, wearable technology and telehealth will help people stay in their homes for longer, says CoreLogic\u2019s chief technology officer Greg Dickason. Around 15 per cent of Australia\u2019s population, or 3.8 million people, is currently aged 65 and over \u2013 and this is projected to more than double by 2057. This ageing population […]<\/p>\n