From walking frame to robots

A report about seniors and technology

Our ambition at Careium is to help our users live a richer and safer life. However, ageing entails major challenges for the individual, relatives and society. Healthcare and medical services are facing substantial challenges in terms of care as the number of seniors increases.

We are convinced that technology has an important role to play in addressing these challenges. In an effort to increase awareness of how we can be part of the solution, Careium has studied the attitudes of seniors toward new technology and new smart healthcare-solutions and their use.

A changing world

Seniors represent a growing proportion of the global population. These demographic changes are placing new demands on society, particularly in terms of healthcare and social care for the growing proportion of seniors. To meet these challenges, healthcare and medical services must become more efficient.

New digital technology and e-health solutions may enable improvements. This is a complex and costly process. However, by a long-term perspective this could mean higher-quality healthcare, better working conditions for personnel, efficiency improvements and better resource allocation.

What do the seniors have to say?

Society, caregivers, relatives and the elderly themselves all benefit from the implementation of new technology and digital solutions. But how substantial is the interest in these services? How interested are seniors in new technology?

Two-thirds of seniors are very or fairly interested in technology. In an analysis we see that this manifested in the fact that many seniors use social media and chat apps. However, telephone calls continue to be the most popular channel for communicating with family and relatives.

In general few seniors use technical aids, which may be due to a number of factors. Perhaps there is simply no need. Or it may be the case that people have a need, conscious or otherwise, but lack the necessary information or access to the aid. Given the interest in technology among seniors is so substantial, the use of technical aids in their daily lives should reasonably expected to be higher. 

Health benefits

While most seniors want to continue to live at home for as long as possible, we can also see that some seniors feel insecure in their own homes. Technology can offer major opportunities to enable a more secure and safer life. Technology can make seniors feel safer at home and provide extra security for relatives. It is about offering new technology and digital solutions to everyone who needs them. This can provide substantial benefits.

Across Europe, demographic changes represent a major challenge, and we can see that relatives are taking considerable responsibility for the care of their loved ones in many countries. Significant resources gains are available at both a societal and individual level. New technology and digital services have significant potential to relieve the burden on both care givers and relatives and enable seniors to live life to the fullest.

 

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From walking frame to robots - a report about seniors and technology (en)

Från rullator till robot - seniorers inställning till teknik som hjälpmedel i vardagen (se)