Aged care is in a period of rapid change and technology has become a critical part of this change. While the potential role of technology in aged care had been highlighted in a number of reports such as the Roadmap for the aged care industry (Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council Technology 2017), [1] pressing issues have accelerated its significance. Major drivers include the impacts of a pandemic necessitating telehealth and virtual care; [2] a reform agenda driven by the findings of the Royal Commission; [3] increasing consumer capabilities; [4] and the rapid evolution of technological applications that can support clinical care and business practice.
Aged care can benefit from a range of technologies that can support direct care, business processes including financial management and staffing, data analysis and reporting, responding to increased demand with technology solutions such as smart homes and robotics, and the use of consumer-directed technologies to enhance connection and quality of life. The Types of technology in aged care webpage highlights existing resources and potential futures for technology.
However, realising the potential benefits will require substantial change at the sector, service, and staff levels. There is a need to build digital and technological capabilities of individuals, services, and the sector generally. [5] There is also a need to build the evidence and practice base to encourage uptake and facilitate its implementation within the sector. [6, 7] Building connections between technology providers and technology users will also be important if the technology is to build relevant and practical resources for the sector that can be readily used and applied. Person-centred care approaches in the development of technology will be crucial. [8]
- Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council. A technology roadmap for the Australian aged care sector [Internet]. Australia, ACIITC 2017. [cited 2023 Feb 21]. Available from: http://aciitc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ACIITC_TechnologyRoadmap_2017.pdf.
- Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Examples of innovation [Internet]. Australia, ACQSC; 2022. [cited 2023 Feb 21] Australian Government. Available from: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/providers/covid-19-provider-resources/visitor-access-residential-aged-care-services/examples-innovation.
- Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Final report: Care, dignity and respect [Internet]. Melbourne, Vic: Australia; 2021. [cited 2023 Feb 21]. Available from: https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/final-report.
- Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology; CISCO. Transforming aged care: Towards a future in which digitisation clasps hands with respect, and connection drives improvement [Internet]. Melbourne, Vic: RMIT University, CISCO; 2022. [cited 2023 Feb 21]. Available from: https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/global/en_au/solutions/industries/healthcare/transforming-aged-care.pdf
- Australian Digital Health Agency. The national digital health capability action plan [Internet]. Canberra, ACT: ADHA; 2022. [cited 2023 Feb 21]. Available from: https://www.digitalhealth.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/national-digital-health-capability-action-plan.pdf
- Ollevier A, Aguiar G, Palomino M, Simpelaere IS. How can technology support ageing in place in healthy older adults? A systematic review. Public Health Rev. 2020;41(1):26.
- Bail K, Gibson D, Acharya P, Blackburn J, Kaak V, Kozlovskaia M, et al. Using health information technology in residential aged care homes: An integrative review to identify service and quality outcomes. Int J Med Inform. 2022;165:104824.
- Waycott J, Zhao W, Kelly RM, Robertson E. Technology-mediated enrichment in aged care: Survey and interview study. JMIR Aging. 2022;5(2):e31162.