AGEING AND TECHNOLOGY: CREATING ENVIRONMENTS TO SUPPORT AN AGEING SOCIETY (KEYNOTE)

Ageing populations have raised specific challenges, in terms of how best to support older adults to age-in-place i.e. to live independently at home and in the community. This is particularly important in developing countries, many of which are experiencing rapidly ageing populations, yet without the necessary investment or infrastructure in health and social care. There is increased recognition of the potential of assistive technologies to support the everyday lives of older adults including social participation, activities of daily living and lifestyle monitoring. This paper assesses the potential contribution of assistive technologies in supporting older adults to age-in-place, identifying some of the cultural, organisational and institutional opportunities and barriers to widespread adoption. The paper concludes by identifying gaps in current understanding and recommendations for the future development of assistive technologies if they are to become a more pervasive aspect of the home environment.