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Digital Telecare: Enhancing Healthy Ageing Through Innovation

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Digital Telecare: Enhancing Healthy Ageing Through Innovation

Discover how digital telecare is revolutionising healthy ageing, offering safety, independence, and peace of mind for seniors and their families.

For the first time in history, the global population includes more people over 65 than children under five. This demographic shift presents challenges but also opens doors to innovation, particularly in the ‘healthy ageing’ sector. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines healthy ageing as “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age.” This includes staying mobile, meeting basic needs, and maintaining physical and cognitive health.

Products like personal alarms play a pivotal role in supporting independence and safety for older adults. These sensors, part of the broader healthy ageing industry, help individuals remain active, socially connected, and secure in their own homes.

How Social Alarms Work: A Lifeline for Independence

Introduced in the 1970s, personal alarm systems (or telecare) are designed to detect emergencies and send alerts. They range from wearable pendants to fall sensors and safety watches. A typical system includes a base unit (care phone) connected to a phone line or digital network, paired with a wearable alarm button. When pressed, the button triggers an alert to a monitoring centre, family member, or carer, enabling immediate communication through the base unit.

Why Digital Telecare Outshines Analogue Systems

Swedish municipalities have led the way in adopting digital telecare, reporting significant benefits such as real-time monitoring, cost savings, and improved efficiency. The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKL) highlights that analogue systems increase costs as they rely on phone lines and in-person checks. In contrast, digital solutions like our products free up staff for mobile response teams, enhancing care delivery.

It is good that we no longer rely on a landline and have more flexible installation options. To be able to get an all-in-one solution is a big time saver.

Borås Municipality

Digital systems also empower users with dementia. Outdoor activities like gardening, made safer with GPS-enabled wearables, can stimulate the brain and manage symptom

Lessons from Sweden: A Blueprint for the UK

Sweden’s rapid transition from analogue to digital in 2008 left some unprepared, but its successes offer a roadmap. The UK is now undergoing a similar shift, with companies like us advocating for user-centric upgrades to protect vulnerable groups.

Technology-enabled care (TEC) is revolutionising ageing globally. It enhances independence for seniors while helping carers deliver efficient, high-quality support. For the UK, Sweden’s experience underscores the need for careful planning to ensure safety and dignity for all.

The Future of Healthy Ageing

The shift to digital telecare is more than a technical upgrade, it’s a commitment to compassionate, efficient care. By learning from Sweden’s journey, we can create systems that truly support healthy ageing, keeping individuals safe, independent, and connected.

Last updated: July 9 2025