Assisted Living Technologies for Older and Disabled People in 2030
A new report by Plum for Ofcom looks at “Assisted Living Technologies for Older and Disabled People in 2030”(1).
The report highlights the potential of technology not just in terms of telecare and telehealth but also in terms of supporting “wellness”, improving social interaction and helping older people work for longer.The report posits a future scenario of Moores law resulting in cheaper equipment; broadband becoming universally available; and a move away from specific products to mass market devices. Plum argue that this could reduce the cost of assisted living technologies significantly (10 fold), result in a growth in the number of technologies, and change the nature of industry from delivering boxes to providing software for mainstream products.
Whilst recognising the potential for technology to help improve the quality of life of older people (and reduce health and care costs), Plum highlight a number of challenges which could prevent this scenario from becoming a reality. How do we ensure the user retains control of their care?; How can we deliver low cost personalised services?; How can users make accurate assessment of their needs?; and How do we tackle the challenges of privacy and confidentiality?. Plum also highlight the very real fear of some that technologies could replace personal contact; that there is a need to balance the needs of users and carers; and that new technologies need to be designed in a way which is not stigmatising.
Plum point out that digital exclusion remains a major barrier to take-up of the new technologies and points out that on historic trends it will take 33 years for 90% of over 75s to become internet users!
Amongst other things, the report calls for more information for older people; an ethical framework; better awareness of the potential of technology; and digital inclusion initiatives to be targeted at older people. It also points out that integrated electronic care records could help the market as could a review of the financial incentives for investment by NHS. And it proposes exploring the centralised purchasing of technologies.
All of the recommendations seem very sensible. But perhaps the main weakness of the report is the lack of targeting of the recommendations. No-one is asked to lead on the recommendations. As a result there is a real risk that this report sits on the Ofcom website alongside other similar reports on the sector.
Many of these issues aren’t new ones yet why haven’t we seen action before? Part of the problem is that there is no real pressure on government (or indeed industry/the voluntary sector) to tackle the challenges outlined.
Neither industry nor the voluntary sector (who mainly have their lobbing eyes narrowly focussed on the bigger issues of how to pay for care) has become an adequate advocate for new technology. It is not clear where the leadership should lie but if the optimistic scenario painted by Plum is to become a reality then those leaders must be found.
It’s great that Ofcom are interested in this area and will be interesting to see if they do have plans for pushing forward the recommendations. Let’s hope this report doesn’t just sit on the shelf.
David Sinclair
(1) http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/technology/research/sectorstudies/assisted/ (2): To declare an interest, ILC-UK were interviewed as part of this research and participated in the scenario workshops)See ILC-UK papers/blogs on related issues
Simon Roberts The Fictions, Facts and Future of Older People and Technology http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/record.jsp?type=publication&ID=54
Building a National Care Service White Paper – Technology and Care http://blog.ilcuk.org.uk/2010/04/01/building-a-national-care-service-white-paper-%e2%80%93-technology-and-care/
Tackling Digital Exclusion: http://blog.ilcuk.org.uk/2009/09/24/tackling-digital-exclusion/