Artificial intelligence (AI) is a wide-ranging tool that is rapidly changing how we live our lives and evolving at a very fast pace. Beyond the convenience benefits, AI offers significant potential in support of healthy aging, including predicting health risks and adverse events.
By 2040, projections suggest that 10.8 million Canadians will be over 65 years of age, almost one-quarter of the population. In the same period, the 75+ age group will double.
Most older adults will age at home. And innovative solutions, such as AI, have become important enablers that can support living longer, healthier, and with as much independence as possible.
Personalized care management is a great example of how AI can support healthy aging. AI can perform tasks like processing health data or identifying patterns much quicker and often with more precision than humans. Medical professionals and patients benefit as more informed decisions about care plans and more accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans become tailored to the individual.
Smart home technologies are another benefit of AI, such as sensors that monitor the health of the tenant. These sensors can detect falls, monitor sleep patterns, and even detect changes in behaviour. This information can be helpful to quickly alert caregivers or family members if there is a problem, providing peace of mind to both the older adult and their loved ones.
AI can also help older adults maintain their independence by providing assistance with daily tasks. For example, AI-powered virtual assistants can remind older adults to take their medication, help them order groceries, and even assist with household chores.
In addition to these benefits, AI can help older adults stay connected to their communities. Social isolation is a significant problem for many older adults, but AI can help by providing virtual social interactions. With careful planning and implementation, AI and other technology enablers are a powerful tool to support living at home longer, with greater independence.
That’s why at The Brenda Strafford Foundation we’re continually exploring new partnerships in innovation and experimenting with the role of technology in support of healthy aging. From investments in our very own smart home, which includes a fully tech-enabled environment and live-in tenant, to the launch of our virtual recreation program that enables older adults to participate in activities that they might not be able to do otherwise from their home.
Because we know that the seniors of tomorrow will have different expectations of how and where they receive care and support to better age-in-place.
Tony Weeks is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Brenda Strafford Foundation (BSF) in Calgary, Alberta. BSF is a leading health, continuing care, and social impact organization with operations in Canada, Jamaica, Dominica, and Haiti.https://innovationsoftheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/imageonline-co-transparentimage-56.png
