The Victorian Division of the AAG is the only state branch with a dedicated sub-committee focused on technology. We are a small group of researchers and practitioners who share an interest in the role technology can play in supporting the lives of older Victorians. We are sometimes asked why Victoria needs a technology sub-committee, especially given that the AAG already has a national Special Interest Group (SIG) on Assistive Technologies.
The answer is twofold. First, our sub-committee has a broader remit than the Assistive Technologies SIG. While we aim to share knowledge about the possibilities and challenges that new technologies present in assisting older adults and supporting caregivers, we are also interested in how co-designed technologies can support wellbeing, foster social connections, and challenge ageing stereotypes.
Second, in reflecting on this question, we have found that Victoria is home to substantial innovation in technology and ageing. We recently pooled our knowledge of local technology startups and companies offering technology-based services for older adults and aged care. Our initial list included local companies developing and deploying social robots for companionship, virtual reality for enrichment, video calling tools to support social connection, apps that prompt reminiscence, and AI technologies that monitor movement and alert caregivers to unusual activity or inactivity.
It’s exciting to see such strong interest in the potential of new and emerging technologies to support older Victorians. However, innovation in this space must proceed thoughtfully and be sensitive and attuned to the needs of those it seeks to support. In the startup world, there is always a risk that new tools and services may be developed by people with limited first-hand experience of the issues they aim to address. Older adults and other stakeholders must play a central role in this innovation. Co-design - where people with lived experience contribute to the design of new tools and services - should be standard practice.
Alongside co-design, ongoing research is essential to evaluate the impact of new technologies on the lives of older adults and, where relevant, their caregivers. Many members of our sub-committee are actively engaged in this research, which sometimes involves measuring impact using quantitative assessments of wellbeing. More often, however, we conduct in-depth qualitative research, talking to people and observing their interactions with new technologies. We collect stories about their experiences and use our findings to inform the careful design of future technologies for older adults.
A recent LinkedIn post by Adam Jahnke, the founder of Umps, emphasised why older adults’ voices must be central in conversations about technology and ageing. Reflecting on the limited uptake of their sensor technologies, Adam shared a key message he received from clients: “I already have people making decisions for me. I don’t want technology doing that too.” Despite being well-designed, the sensors were not being used because they did not align with what older people wanted.
We hope Victoria’s innovation in technology and ageing continues to flourish, but with the crucial caveat that older adults’ voices are at the heart of this innovation and progress.
If you would like more information on the activities of the Vic Technology sub-committee, or would like to be involved, email: [email protected].