December 21st, 2022New CSIRO-developed digital platform helping older Australians in their homes
A report published by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has detailed the successful trial of a new sensor-based platform with the potential to better support older Australians to live in their own home longer.
The report, titled DACS: Smarter Safer Homes to Support Older People Living in Their Own Homes Through Enhanced Care Models, is based on findings of research to trial the Smarter Safer Homes (SSH) sensor-based platform.
Developed by CSIRO, SSH was the first consumer driven smart home technology in the world to help people live independently in their homes.
CEO of CSIRO’s Australian e-Health Research Centre, David Hansen, said trials found statistically significant evidence that older people living with SSH showed their social care related quality of life decrease was 10 times less than the control group who experienced usual care.
“The outcomes of the trial reveal that the SSH technology is beneficial in ensuring older people can live independently in their home for longer,” Dr Hansen said.
Service providers, family members and other caregivers can check a data dashboard that reveals patterns in an older person’s behaviour. Any changes in the patterns may indicate a need for action. For example, if mobility patterns change, this may suggest a fall or injury, prompting a check in.
Co-author of the report, CSIRO’s Liesel Higgins, said this technology in the hands of Australia’s aged care workforce will benefit older people who are living at home and receiving community care services.
“The platform is perfect for connecting families living apart, as people often are these days. Say there’s a family member in Brisbane, another in Adelaide and an ageing parent living in a rural town. SSH would help the family to support their parent from a distance. In addition to community aged care supports, the technology could allow the parent to stay in their home for longer, if they wish,” Ms Higgins said.
“This technology takes the guesswork away from the question of your family’s wellbeing when you’re not around,” she said.
