Ageing is a population issue
The ageing of Australia must be considered when determining appropriate immigration levels and government policy for a sustainable population, the Smart Technology for Healthy Longevity report by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) says.
More working-age people will be needed to support a growing number of older Australians, the report says, but more people means more stress on finite social security and health care systems.
Vince Morello, from AAP wrote the report found that while the larger number of old people could have a positive impact on society if their healthy years can be extended, they also have higher health care demands due to chronic illness, disability and degenerative diseases, leading to increased costs to the Australian and state governments.
Australia needs an increased national focus on developing and applying smart technology for healthy longevity, says a new report from ATSE.
This increased focus is essential to realise the potential of smart technology to ensure a healthy, safe, secure and fulfilling future for the increasing aged population in Australia and the maintenance of a healthy, harmonious and prosperous society.
The report, which also says national coordination and sustained research and development support are essential to make optimum use of the available resources.
The ATSE report recommends a number of national initiatives to reduce the impact of population ageing, by helping older Australians remain in their homes and out of hospital care.
Using “smart technology”, people over 65 could one day have sensors in their shoes, their pill bottles and their beds, to detect changes in their behaviour which could reflect a decline in their health.
Early intervention could then allow them to be treated at home instead of in hospital.
