Aging well in a digital world

As Australia and the world face rapidly ageing populations, technology is increasingly promoted as the answer to helping older people live safely, independently and well - but experts warn that innovation alone is not enough.

Without careful design, strong ethical safeguards and genuine involvement from older people themselves, technology risks missing the very people it is meant to support, according to a new study led by Flinders University.

The new paper, published in the international journal Digital Health, explores how smart technologies such as home sensors, wearable devices and artificial intelligence can support older people while still protecting dignity, choice and human connection.

“The conversation about ageing and technology needs to move beyond the idea that new devices automatically lead to better care,” says lead author, Dr Claire Gough from Flinders’ Caring Futures Institute.

“Technology is often presented as a quick fix for the challenges of ageing, but it’s never just about the device. It’s about people, relationships, values and the environments older people live in.”

Smart technologies can offer real benefits, she says. Devices that detect falls, monitor daily routines or assist with medication reminders can provide peace of mind for families and help older people remain in their own homes for longer. Virtual assistants and personalised apps may also encourage physical activity, healthy eating and social connection.

However, despite these advantages, uptake among older adults remains lower than expected.

“One of the biggest barriers is that many technologies are developed without fully understanding the lived experience of ageing,” says Dr Gough, a physiotherapist and researcher who specialises in clinical rehabilitation.

“Older people tell us they worry about privacy, loss of control and being constantly watched in their own homes and if technology feels intrusive or makes someone feel less respected, it’s unlikely to be welcomed, no matter how advanced it is.”

The paper highlights that decisions about technology are rarely made by individuals alone. Families, carers and health professionals play a major role in what is adopted and how it is used.

If technology is difficult to operate, adds to workloads or feels ethically uncomfortable, care workers may be hesitant to use it.

Dr Gough says this is why human factors matter just as much as technical performance. “Care doesn’t happen in isolation. If we don’t design technology that fits into real lives and real care settings, it simply won’t be used as intended.”

The research also draws attention to how homes are changing. They are no longer just physical spaces, but may include digital systems quietly collecting and sharing information. While these systems can improve safety, they can also change how a home feels.

“We need to ask hard questions such as, who decides what data is collected, who can see it and how it’s used? And how does that affect someone’s sense of autonomy and comfort in their own home?” says Dr Gough.

A key message of the paper is the importance of involving older people from the very beginning of design and testing. Co-design helps ensure technologies are useful, respectful and culturally appropriate. Clear, plain‑language explanations about what technology does and what choices people have are essential to building trust.

“Co-design isn’t a nice extra, it’s fundamental to making sure technology supports older people rather than making decisions for them,” she says.

The authors also emphasise the critical role of nurses and care workers, who often act as the link between technology and the older person. Education in digital skills, ethics and data interpretation can help ensure technology enhances, rather than replaces, human care.

“Technology should never take the place of human connection,” says Dr Gough. “When it’s done well, it actually supports care workers to spend more meaningful time with the people they care for.”

The paper calls for stronger policy support and funding that focuses not just on innovation, but on fair and ethical implementation. This includes addressing gaps in rural access, affordability and digital literacy, and ensuring older people are properly represented in data used to train artificial intelligence systems.

“The future of ageing is not just a technical challenge, it’s a human one,” says Dr Gough. “If we can keep dignity, choice and equity at the centre, technology can play a powerful role in helping people age well.”

The paper, ‘Beyond innovation: Reimagining inclusive and ethical technologies for ageing populations’, by Claire Gough , Gordana Dermody (University of Sunshine Coast) and Antonio Palmeira (Universidade Lusofona and CIFI2D Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal), was published in Digital Health.  DOI: 10.1177/20552076261418907