Experts call for technology and innovation to tackle Australia’s aged care crisis

With thousands of older Australians still waiting for aged care support – and reports of some dying before help arrives – health, government and technology experts are urging the rapid adoption of innovation to address Australia’s escalating care crisis.

They say wearable and smart technologies can capture vital data to deliver personalised care, helping people remain healthy and connected at home through telehealth, and robotic solutions which reduce loneliness. This urgent conversation will take centre stage at the NSW Smart Sensing Network’s Ageing Forum at the NSW Parliament on 30 October, just two days before the new Aged Care Act 2024 and Support at Home program – offering 80,000 support packages – come into effect.

With a majority of people over the age of 65 at home, and a large backlog of older Australians still waiting for home care, managing the growing demand for health and aged care services is now the single biggest challenge facing governments, NSSN Human Health Theme Lead Catherine Oates Smith says.

“We cannot solve this aged care crisis with policy tweaks alone. We need to integrate technology into care models now, from sensors that detect falls to AI that monitors wellbeing, to help people stay safe, independent and connected in their own homes. This technology already exists in Australia, but it’s being seriously underused.”

Under the new Support at Home program, the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme will offer capped annual funding for equipment and home upgrades to help older Australians live safely at home. However, with payments as low as $500, experts warn the scheme may exclude access to vital digital tools such as smartphones which enable independence and safety.

“The government’s Support at Home scheme could make a real difference to hospital bedlock – but only if funding reflects real needs,” Ms Oates Smith says.

The NSSN Ageing Forum will bring together a range of innovation and ageing experts – including the Australian Digital Health Agency, eHealth NSW, Standards Australia, and universities – to explore how everyday smart technologies such as smart watches can support ageing in place, relieve pressure on hospitals, and ensure the new aged care model delivers for those most in need.

The forum will unpack the economics, ethics and innovation driving sensor-enabled care, exploring who pays, how AI and sovereign data systems can underpin a smarter future, and how sensor technologies can be commercialised and seamlessly integrated into homes and health settings. Researchers at last year’s Ageing Forum unveiled preliminary results from an Australian-first survey of 1,000 older Australians, their families and carers which showed strong support for government-funded technology in the home.

Most respondents said they would welcome technology if it helped them live independently for longer.