According to a group of industry, university and government partners, the government must increase funding for technology in home care packages to relieve pressure on aged care facilities and hospitals.
Under the current proposal, Support at Home participants will be entitled to between $500 and $15,000 of assistive technology and/or home modifications under the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme from 1 July 2025.
NSW Smart Sensing Network human health lead Catherine Oates Smith said the lowest level of funding for assistive technology in government’s home care packages ($500) falls “woefully short” of what is needed.
“A smart watch costs upwards of $300, then you need an internet plan,” Ms Oates Smith said.
“We want the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme’s lowest funding tier increased so that more older Australians can live independently with dignity and improved quality of life.”
The consortium comprises five NSW universities, healthcare providers, local health districts, and the NSW Smart Sensing Network, and their recommendation is that wearable technology such as a smart watch, phone or ring can track and report lifestyle and biometric information, such as activity data and blood pressure data, and trigger preventative and vital alerts about falls and seizures to family members and carers.
In a recent report funded by Maridulu Budyari Gumal, the Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE) results highlighted that of the 1,000 older Australians, their family and carers that were surveyed, nine out of 10 family carers or older people thought smart-sensor technologies in the home should be funded via a home care package or other type of government assistance.
University of Newcastle’s FASTLab Professor Paul Eggleston said it was imperative government properly invested in smart technologies to enable Australians to stay at home as long as possible.
“The message from Australians is clear: they want smart technology to help them stay in their homes longer, live healthier lives, and feel safer,” Professor Eggleton said.
“This isn’t just about convenience – it’s about dignity, independence, and easing the strain on our health system. Appropriate investment in smart technologies will enable our parents and grandparents to live the quality of life we’d all want for them.”
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