Lesley Barton, National Clinical and Training Manager at Bunzl & Atlas McNeil Healthcare Community, discusses how telecare and wearable technologies offer practical, scalable ways to deliver round-the-clock support, promote independence, and reduce the risk of avoidable emergencies.
Imagine a world where your ageing parents can live independently, safely, and confidently, all while being quietly supported by technology that never sleeps. This is no longer science fiction—it’s the emerging reality of caring for older people.
According to a 2023 report by the United Nations, the number of people aged 65 and above globally will be 1.6 billion by 2050, more than double the 761 million recorded in 2021. In the UK, that figure stood at 12.7 million in 2022 and is projected to climb to 22.1 million by 2072.
This demographic shift is placing growing pressure on health and social care systems already stretched by workforce shortages and rising costs. To meet demand, caring for older people must evolve. Telecare and wearable technologies offer practical, scalable ways to deliver round-the-clock support, promote independence, and reduce the risk of avoidable emergencies.
Why caring for older people needs to evolve
The current model of caring for older people faces mounting pressures from an ageing population, limited resources, and changing lifestyle preferences stemming from:
NHS overload and resource constraints
Older adults often require longer hospital stays and more frequent medical interventions, placing sustained pressure on beds, clinical staff, and already stretched NHS resources including the supply of various incontinence products that are essential to managing age-related conditions with dignity.
Without a shift toward more proactive, tech-enabled care, this cycle is set to continue as the population ages.
Shortage of professional caregivers
The UK faces a caregiver crisis. Skills for Care reported a 9.9 percent vacancy rate in adult social care roles in 2022–23, with 150,000 unfilled positions each day. Low wages, stress, and high burnout exacerbate the shortage, leading to delayed or inadequate care.
Rise in elderly living independently
In 2023, 4.2 million people aged 65+ lived alone in England. While independence can enhance quality of life, it also raises risks. A missed meal, fall, or forgotten medication can escalate quickly without someone nearby to intervene. For many families, the balance between respecting independence and ensuring safety is a constant concern.
The role of telecare in modern elderly support
Unlike traditional care models that rely on scheduled check-ins, telecare offers continuous, unobtrusive support within the home, including:
Fall detection and emergency alerts
Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults. Telecare systems with automated fall detectors use sensors to identify sudden movements or impacts, triggering alerts to caregivers or emergency services. This reduces response times, minimising the risk of complications from delayed intervention.
Remote monitoring for chronic conditions
Telecare supports ongoing management of chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease by monitoring vital signs and sending data to healthcare providers. If issues like a blood sugar spike occur, doctors can intervene quickly, helping avoid in-person appointments.
Integration with emergency services
Telecare systems connect directly with healthcare providers or emergency responders. When an alert is triggered, whether from a fall, a panic button, or an abnormal health reading, the system shares critical information like location and medical history. This ensures faster, more informed responses, which can be life-saving in critical situations.
How wearable devices are supporting safer, independent living
Wearable devices, such as smartwatches and medical alert bands, empower older people to maintain independence while offering peace of mind to families and caregivers in the following ways:
Real-time health monitoring
Wearables track vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, alerting users or caregivers to anomalies. By providing continuous data, wearables help older people and their care teams manage health proactively, reducing the likelihood of emergencies like atrial fibrillation.
GPS tracking for safety
For older people with dementia or those prone to wandering, GPS-enabled wearables provide a safety net. Caregivers can monitor a senior’s location in real time and respond quickly if they become disoriented.
With six out of 10 people with dementia experiencing episodes of wandering, these devices are essential for patient safety and independence.
User-friendly design for older people
Wearables for older people prioritise simplicity and accessibility. Large displays, voice commands, and single-button interfaces accommodate age-related challenges like reduced vision or dexterity.
For example, a wearable might feature a prominent emergency button or voice-activated controls, ensuring older people can use the device confidently, even with limited tech experience.
The road ahead: Caring for older people
As technology continues to evolve, several emerging tools and trends are reshaping how older adults will be supported in the years ahead:
- Robotics for in-home assistance: Robots are helping with tasks like mobility support, cleaning, and companionship to reduce reliance on human carers.
- Smart home integration: Voice assistants and automated lighting or heating systems are making homes safer and friendlier for older people.
- Medication management tools: Smart dispensers and reminder apps help older adults take the right medication at the right time.
- Predictive analytics for early intervention: Data-driven tools are identifying health risks before they escalate into emergencies.
- Virtual reality for cognitive and emotional well-being: VR experiences can reduce loneliness and support mental health through stimulating, immersive activities.
Conclusion
Telecare and wearable devices are moving caring for older people from a reactive model, where help arrives after a crisis, to a proactive one that prevents emergencies and promotes well-being. These tools offer practical solutions to rising pressures on healthcare systems, workforce shortages, and the needs of an ageing population. As adoption grows, elderly individuals will be better supported to live safely, independently, and with dignity.
About the author
Lesley Barton is National Clinical and Training Manager at Bunzl & AMHC Atlas McNeil Healthcare Community (AMHC), with more than over 40 years of healthcare experience. A registered nurse, midwife, and continence nurse specialist, she transitioned into healthcare sales and management, leading education in continence, wound care, and medical consumables.
She serves as Board Director at the Continence Foundation of Australia and founded the Clinical Care Connections (CCC) program, playing a key role in developing AMHCAtlas McNeil Healthcare’s education and training initiatives to support best practices in clinical care.
The post EXCLUSIVE: Telecare and wearables – What the future of caring for older people looks like appeared first on AT Today – Assistive Technology.