Online workshop on assistive technology

An online workshop today and tomorrow is discussing the role of technology in the future of care and community support services, both for older people and people with disabilities.

Above: Professor Niki Ellis, CEO of the Institute of Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research.

By Stephen Easton

An online workshop today and tomorrow is exploring ways that cutting-edge technologies can be applied in aged care and other areas to change the lives of frail older people and people with disabilities.

The two-day online workshop, Future Directions in Assisted Living and Healthcare, was convened by the Institute of Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR), a joint venture between Monash University, WorkSafe Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).

The event is invite-only, however many of the speaker’s presentations are publicly available on the ISCRR website and more will continue to be added. 

After the workshop has ended members of the public will be welcome to join an online discussion with presenters. To access the discussion board, email info@iscrr.com.au and request a username and password to log in.

Topics include: similarities and differences between aged care and disability care; the integration of aged care facilities, independent living units and community facilities in the existing urban environment; how digital technology can help keep elderly people in their own home and community; and sustainable assisted living communities.

ISCRR chief executive, Professor Niki Ellis, said that emerging technologies had the potential to change the lives of people with a disability, and frail older people. 

“With longer lifespans, an ageing population and an association between age and disability, the need for assistive technologies is expected to increase dramatically,” Professor Ellis said.

“The aim of the workshop is to identify the key needs of people with disabilities and the aged, and to explore the potential for technology to assist them to live independently and remain in their home.”

Professor Ellis said the workshop and similar stakeholder discussions in the future will provide valuable insights and give direction to the implementation of ISCRR’s Neurotrauma Research Strategy.

“ISCRR manages a $20 million neurotrauma research program funded by the Transport Accident Commission,” she said.

“The strategy’s priorities include models of lifetime care including attendant care, provision of appropriate accommodation and facilitating the integration and participation of TAC clients in the community.”

According to ISCRR, the workshop speakers will include “international and national industry experts, architects, designers, IT specialists, and disability and carer professionals and interest and consumer advocacy groups”.

Speakers include the The CSIRO’s Scott Martin, who leads development of manufactured devices and will present ‘future scenario planning for assisted living’, a talk that will use input from four aged and community care professionals to explore “the range of possible futures in which community care may have to operate”.

The Dean of Monash University’s Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture, Professor Shane Murray, will speak on his research into contemporary housing and urban design issues, and Kian Saneii, the CEO of technology firm Independa, will speak about how digital health technology can provide remote monitoring and the potential for 24/7 care.

Tags: assistive technology, indpendent-living, technology,

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