How technology can support ageing well

Do you hope to stay living at home as long as possible as you grow older? You may be surprised to discover that technology can play a vital role in helping you achieve this.

When we think of technology, sleek gadgets like smartphones or smartwatches often come to mind. However, ‘technology’ really means anything that serves a practical purpose and makes life easier. From grab bars in the bathroom to wearable health trackers, all kinds of gadgets and developments can support your health, wellbeing and independence.

Technology can help you in older age by:

1. giving you increased safety and security

2. improving your health

3. making living at home easier

4. keeping you entertained and connected with loved ones.

In this article, we explore the many ways technology can support your wellbeing and empower you to live confidently in your own space.

Staying safe at home

Whether you live at home or with others, technology can improve your safety, as Associate Professor Frances Batchelor, Director of Clinical Gerontology at the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI), explained.

‘I hear a lot of older people say they don’t necessarily want to have Big Brother watching them, but they want a sense of security,’ Associate Professor Batchelor noted.

Here are some examples of how technology can help improve your safety at home:

• Grab bars and handrails: Install these assistive technologies in bathrooms, on stairs and even in hallways to prevent falls and improve mobility.

• Smart sensors and lighting: These can be programmed to turn on when you enter a room to reduce the risk of trips and falls.

• Video doorbell: See who is at the front door before you open it.

• Medical alarm or Personal Emergency Response System (PERS): Worn around the neck, these alarms use GPS tracking and 24/7 monitoring so you can contact someone at any time if you have an emergency.

Improve your health

There are lots of ways technology can help improve your health, particularly smart watches. Not only can they monitor your health but, as Professor Batchelor explained, they can also be a trigger for you to take action.

‘I think that’s particularly relevant for older people, because we know that a high proportion of older people aren’t meeting the physical activity guidelines,’ Professor Batchelor explained.

Some examples of health tech include:

• Wearable devices: Watches like an Apple Watch, Garmin or Fitbit can track your steps or measure your heart rate – some can even monitor your sleep. Many also have fall detection, so they can alert your loved ones if you have a tumble.

• Exercise programs: There are many home-based exercise apps and videos that can help you stay active at home, like this one from NARI. Alternatively, many local parks have age-friendly exercise equipment installed, with QR codes that link to videos and instructions on how to use it.

• Medication management: You can organise your medicines with physical devices like Webster-paks and apps like MedicineWise that remind you when to take your medication and how much to take.

Help around the home

If things begin to get a bit more difficult at home, there are ways technology can help here, too. Some devices or assistive technology you can try include:

• Stair lifts and ramps: Access different levels of your home to help you move around safely and independently.

• Adaptive eating utensils: Options like weighted or angled handles are designed to improve grip and control if you have limited hand strength or coordination.

• Voice assistants: This ‘smart technology’ can connect to your phone and respond to your voice to help you play music or access news and information.

• Robot vacuum: These small appliances can clean and mop your floors on a schedule or at the touch of a button through your phone.

 Stay entertained and connected

One of the greatest appeals of modern technology is that apps and devices can make it easier to stay in touch with loved ones and even meet new people. Some ideas include:

• Video-calling apps: Use video-calling platforms such as Zoom or (on Apple phones) FaceTime to see and talk to family and friends.

• Chat apps: Many people enjoy chatting through text messages, social media such as Facebook or Instagram, or apps like WhatsApp or WeChat.

• Gaming: Whether it’s to increase mental stimulation, connect with younger relatives or just have fun, almost half of older Australians took up gaming during the pandemic.

How to feel more confident with technology

Understanding new technology can be a barrier to making use of it, but there’s plenty of help at hand. Here are some examples.

• BeConnected is an Australian Government initiative to help you improve your tech skills. It offers lots of practical tips on topics ranging from how to create a passkey in myGov to setting up and using email. It also helps you find free computer classes near you.

• In New South Wales, Telstra has partnered with the state government to deliver a Tech Savvy Seniors Program. It provides a range of online guides in 14 languages, so you can learn more about technology.

• The Queensland Government offers a Digital learning and support website that includes information and links to resources, support programs and services, such as Brisbane Seniors Online.

• Many libraries and community colleges also offer face-to-face classes in technology use. Ask at your local library or council office.

How to stay safe online

We all need to be aware of online safety when we start using technology. Scams are a legitimate concern, with 92% of Australians reporting they were exposed to a scam in 2023.

‘With good reason, older people can sometimes be cautious about adopting new things because of the potential for scams or threats to security,’ Professor Batchelor commented.

Instead of avoiding the online world, education is key. Here are some simple tips to remember:

• If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

• Avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails or text messages from people or companies you don’t know.

• When shopping in online stores, check reviews of the stores to make sure the sites are genuine. Read the Product Review website to see if any real customers have reviewed the store there.

• Look out for any strange requests for money or credit card details, particularly if they’re urgent.

• Don’t share your PINs or passwords with anyone, not even friends and family.

• Check the Scam Watch website.

COTA has also provided these tips on how to stay safe online.

Technology offers many ways to support and boost our safety, health, independence and connection. By adopting the right tools and staying informed, it can empower us all to live safely and independently at home.