technology and our parents, it’s a tale as old as time; from the lady who thought her computer came with a cup holder (remember cd-roms?) to my dad trying to find the “any” button on his keyboard. in a world where nursing homes are becoming more expensive and more isolating for our loved ones, some people are turning to technology to keep them safer and closer to us.
canada is getting older. as of 2023, it’s estimated there are about 7.6 million people aged 65 and older in canada, and by 2043 that number will be
over 11 million
. there is a silver tsunami coming and most experts agree that our healthcare system, particularly our old age infrastructure, is poorly equipped to handle it.
one answer people have been looking to, with growing frequency, is aging at home. multiple studies have shown elderly people deteriorate faster once you take them out of familiar surroundings, with
community being a key longevity factor
. to support connection and independent living, caregivers are increasingly using technology. this “agetech” market is exploding, with people predicting it will
double from $1 to $2 trillion dollars within the next decade.
many elderly people do not want to use tech. in canada, 85 per cent of seniors would like to age in the homes and communities that they know, however, only
33 per cent would consider installing smart home technology
. they did not grow up with it, they got along fine without it up until now. not only can it be intimidating, challenges with dexterity or sight further exacerbate the issue. technology in this space has to be done right and must seamlessly integrate into lives and existing patterns.