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Story by
Alice Cumming
September 19, 2023
In this guest article, Dr Lynne Douglas, Chief Executive of Bield Housing & Care and a former Director for the NHS, discusses the need for tech advancement and inclusion in social care and housing.
Pursuing a long, healthy life has long been a national priority. The statistics, however, have been less than promising, with the number of healthy years Scottish people can expect to live consistently declining since 2017.
In fact, the healthy life expectancy – the age to which you can expect to live without any serious health impairments – has now dropped lower than in 2009-2011, for women, it’s 61.1 years, and for men, it’s 60.4.
These figures provide a stark reminder of the need for innovative approaches to really make a difference in the quality of life of our ageing population, and technology is emerging as a pivotal solution.
Prevention and early intervention are key to addressing a number of issues not only for the social housing sector but for any organisations invested in caring for our growing ageing population.
Technology and digital services can, and should, take centre stage, empowering individuals to take control of their health and identify those at risk of health crises, enabling the timely deployment of preventative support.
The evidence is clear: when older people embrace technology, be it through monitoring apps for vital signs, virtual physio exercises, or video calls with loved ones, their health deterioration can be slowed, and the pressure on statutory services can be reduced.
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However, a significant barrier to the adoption of assistive technology among older adults is fear and hesitancy towards apps, websites, and everyday devices. Organisations need to be innovative with their approaches and avoid making assumptions to not discount the over 70s when developing solutions.
Digital literacy is a huge barrier when trying to introduce new technology. The unfamiliarity with technology, coupled with distrust of ‘big brother’ web companies, can be overwhelming for many of us, but especially those who don’t use the internet daily.
The older generation is often presented with equipment and tech-enabled devices without meaningful conversations, resulting in them feeling discouraged. We should instead ask about their interests and aspirations to personalise digital solutions to not only empower individuals but ensure they engage.
Many elderly people have spent time in the hospital, and some worry about falling or being unable to care for themselves. Implementing predictive and analytical tech solutions not only helps tenants regain confidence but can improve their quality of life.
Our biggest takeaway from the co-production projects we carry out is the impact tech has on our tenants’ support systems, providing them with peace of mind knowing their loved ones have access to preventative services.
Digital literacy is not just a concern with our tenants, but our team too. Introducing new platforms that help streamline operations, pull data from multiple sources and automating tasks can have a profoundly positive impact on operations.
However, the impact can be detrimental if those using these solutions on a day-to-day basis don’t understand how to make the most of it, costing organisations valuable time and money.
Scotland’s older population deserves the opportunity to live the life they desire, and technology is a key enabler in making this a reality.
By harnessing the power of digital services, fostering confidence, and personalising technology solutions, organisations can bridge the digital divide and empower older individuals to lead fulfilling and independent lives.
In doing so, we not only contribute to the public service reform agenda but also improve outcomes for our cherished older population.
Scotland’s older people should be able to live the life they want, and technology is the catalyst for this transformative journey.
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