Using Supportive Technologies to Foster Healthy Aging at Home and in Our Communities 

The Aging and Thriving in Place project uses digital care coordination to enhance self-care, socialization, and healthcare for seniors, reducing hospitalizations and promoting independence.

AUTHORS & CREDENTIALS: Dr. Keith R. Brunt, PhD., Tricia Friars, RN and Cassy Hemphill, Communications and Engagement Coordinator

AFFILIATED INSTITUTIONS: Dalhousie University, IMPART, and AGE-WELL National Innovation Hub, Advancing Policies and Practices in Technology and Aging (APPTA)

As the population continues to age, many older adults express a desire to remain in their homes, a preference known as “aging in place.” While this choice allows seniors to maintain their independence and stay in familiar surroundings, it also presents significant challenges, such as social isolation, gaps in healthcare, and difficulties in coordinating care. The Aging and Thriving in Place at Home Utilizing Digital Care Coordination and Virtual Care to Foster Self-Care, Socialization, Family and Community Involvement project, led by Keith R. Brunt, PhD. and Tricia Friars, RN, seeks to address these challenges by harnessing the power of technology to improve the lives of seniors who wish to age in place. 

The project, which involved 58 older adults, used a Virtual Care Platform designed to monitor health, provide real-time data, and facilitate communication between healthcare providers, informal caregivers, and seniors. The platform aimed to enhance self-care, promote socialization, and strengthen connections to family members and community services. By integrating digital tools into the home care experience, the project aimed to support older adults in managing their health while preventing hospitalizations and reducing the impact of social isolation and stress on healthcare providers. 

A Promising Solution for Aging in Place 

The project results are promising, demonstrating the potential of digital care coordination to address some of the most pressing challenges aging populations face. Participants reported consistent and reliable communication with healthcare professionals and informal caregivers, which helped identify new or monitor existing health conditions, improve well-being, and prevent avoidable health crises. Connecting with caregivers and healthcare providers in real-time was particularly valuable for seniors with chronic health conditions or those experiencing cognitive impairments. 

The project also facilitated greater social engagement among older adults by fostering more substantial connections with caregivers and healthcare professionals. Social isolation is a significant concern for seniors who live alone, and the ability to stay connected through technology by digital engagement with family or other seniors has shown promise in alleviating this issue. Virtual care platforms also allow seniors to stay more involved in their care decisions and promote independence and a sense of control over their health. Healthcare providers also ensured seniors adhered to prescribed care plans using passive and active monitoring. 

Overcoming Challenges in Technology Integration 

One of the key lessons learned was the need for a platform that is both user-friendly and compatible with new or existing health-monitoring tools such as blood pressure cuffs and glucose monitors. Many of the seniors involved in the project had limited familiarity with digital tools or disabilities, creating barriers to adoption. Simplifying the user interface and ensuring compatibility between various devices are essential to improving the accessibility of such platforms.  

Moreover, the project highlighted the importance of training both healthcare providers and informal caregivers to use the technology effectively. Ensuring all parties are familiar with the platform’s features and functions is critical to the program’s success. 

Expanding the Reach and Impact 

The project has paved the way for future initiatives to support aging populations through digital care solutions. One of the major recommendations is to expand the program’s reach by involving a broader and diverse group of older adults with various levels of need. Understanding which demographic groups—such as individuals with chronic/unstable health conditions or those experiencing cognitive decline—could benefit most from this technology is crucial for refining the approach. Further research into the effectiveness of virtual care technologies in different settings, such as rural or underserved areas, and through community care clinics could also help determine the scalability of these solutions. 

Integrating digital care coordination into broader health services, such as extramural or home care, could further enhance the quality of life for seniors by streamlining care processes. By providing a seamless connection between healthcare providers and family caregivers, virtual care technologies could reduce the burden on healthcare systems and empower aging populations to direct and monitor their care goals. 

Policy Implications

The policy implications of this project are far-reaching. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating digital tools into home healthcare services to serve aging populations better, improve efficiency and accountability, particularly in rural or remote areas. By reducing hospital admissions and facilitating more efficient healthcare delivery, digital platforms can play a key role in addressing the costs of travel and strain placed on healthcare systems, particularly as the number of seniors continues to rise. 

For policymakers, the project suggests investing in scalable, user-friendly technologies that can be easily integrated into existing health services. There is also a need to provide ongoing support and training for healthcare providers and caregivers to ensure these technologies are used effectively to create system efficiencies and improve outcomes. Finally, ensuring that appropriate digital platforms are accessible to seniors, regardless of their technological familiarity or health status, is critical for maximizing their potential.

Relevant policies enabling prescribing digital platforms to seniors in need are required (e.g., special authorization of appropriate duration). It is necessary to overcome remuneration barriers to uptake from a single government payer or their service provider contracts, which can impair service efficiency gains by utilizing digital platform innovations.  

Future Directions

As we look to the future, the Aging and Thriving in Place project offers valuable insights into the role of digital care coordination in supporting older adults to live independently and healthily at home. The results from this pilot initiative highlight the positive impact that technology can have in enhancing self-care, fostering social connections, and improving overall well-being for seniors and their care providers. By continuing to innovate and expand these efforts, we can ensure older adults can thrive in place, with the support they need to maintain their dignity, independence, and quality of life. 

For further insights into the project, visit the full project page. (EN)

For further insights into the project, visit the full project page. (FR)