More Seniors Choosing to Age in Place: How Technology Is Empowering Independence
By Nancy Lanthier
Special to The Globe and Mail
Published Yesterday
As many seniors aspire to remain in their own homes rather than move into long-term care facilities, innovative technologies are playing an increasingly pivotal role in making this choice feasible and safe.
A Personal Story of Aging in Place with Technology
Betty Falkner, a nearly 80-year-old retired accountant living just outside Edmonton, is a testament to how technology can support independent living. Having developed essential tremor—a hereditary neurological condition causing severe hand shaking—Ms. Falkner struggled with everyday tasks such as writing, brushing her teeth, eating, and dialing a phone. “You scrape your gums with your toothbrush,” she explains, describing the challenges before discovering a technological aid.
Ms. Falkner now uses a "smart" glove developed by Toronto-based startup Steadiwear Inc. This innovative device stabilizes the wrist joint, helping to reduce tremors for individuals with essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease. “I am just thrilled with it. It’s made such a difference in my life because I have control of my hands again,” she expresses with gratitude.
In addition to the glove, she employs the Fall Detection feature on her Apple Watch. The watch can detect hard falls and automatically alert emergency services, while its gait steadiness function provides early warnings to help prevent falls. “If I ever end up by myself, I won’t have to leave my home because I know there are so many things available now that would make me feel safe here,” Ms. Falkner says.
The Growing Demand to Age at Home
Ms. Falkner’s experience reflects a widespread desire among Canadians aged 65 and older to avoid moving into long-term care. According to a 2024 federal government study titled Supporting Canadians Aging at Home, up to 96 percent of seniors surveyed indicated they would do everything possible to remain in their homes.
This aspiration is driving growth in Canada’s age-tech sector, which innovates technologies designed to maintain independence, health, and quality of life for older adults. Bridgette Murphy, acting CEO of Age-Well—a national technology and aging network—highlights that the organization supports around 180 innovations aimed at seniors, partnering with over 400 academic, industry, and government collaborators.
Addressing Healthcare Challenges with Technology
Canada’s demographic shift is significant: nearly one in four Canadians will be aged 65 or older within five years. Seniors currently represent nearly half of all healthcare spending, with per capita expenditures five times higher than for those under 65, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
Research indicates that as many as 22 percent of hospital visits by seniors could be prevented through improved health management enabled by technology. Ms. Murphy explains, “When you’ve got a healthcare system that can’t take much more pressure and individuals who would rather not be in it, there’s a clear pathway for technology to help keep costs down and improve quality of life.”
Bustling Beyond Stereotypes: Seniors and Technology
Contrary to common perceptions of seniors being technophobic, studies show that nine in 10 older adults use the internet daily, and 80 percent are confident that technological advancements can help them stay safe, independent, and in their homes longer.
To bridge the gap between available innovations and seniors’ awareness, Age-Well’s Innovation Studio in Toronto showcases Canadian-made technologies in a setting modeled after a typical one-bedroom senior apartment. The studio introduces visitors to a diverse range of aids, such as:
- The Steady-3 smart glove for tremor management
- Quantum Robotic Systems’ QBii robot, which assists in carrying heavy loads and navigating stairs
- TochTech Technologies Ltd.’s smart stove monitor that sends alerts if left unattended
- Centivizer’s virtual biking experience, where users pedal stationary pedals while watching travel videos, turning exercise into a motivating activity
Supporting Caregivers Through Technology
Recognizing that half of Canadians will act as caregivers at some point, the Innovation Studio also presents technological solutions designed to ease caregiving challenges.
Remote monitoring systems like AltumView and Chirp detect human activity and can alert caregivers in emergencies such as falls. These systems prioritize privacy by using methods such as scrambling video images into stick figures or employing non-video sensors (radar, thermal, and audio). Importantly, their AI-powered apps can identify early signs of health decline, such as extended bed rest, enabling proactive intervention.
Research Leadership in Tech for Seniors
Dr. R. Bruce Wallace, an Ottawa-based professor and engineer, leads developments focusing on seniors with mobility and memory challenges as well as caregivers’ needs. His work at the Age-Well National Innovation Hub on Sensors and Analytics for Monitoring Mobility and Memory (SAM3) involves implementing sensors in homes to monitor patterns like eating, sleeping, and movement.
During the pandemic, Dr. Wallace transformed his own home into a smart-home testing site, installing sensors on appliances, floors, doors, and beds. If someone leaves their bed and doesn’t return promptly or an exterior door opens at unusual hours, caregivers receive alerts. This technology not only provides an added safety layer but also helps caregivers rest easier.
“We have a baby boomer issue,” Dr. Wallace notes, referring to the insufficiency of long-term care bed availability as the population ages. “If boomers are institutionalized at the same rate as their parents, we don’t have enough long-term care beds.” He sees technology as a means to support family caregivers and help seniors live safely at home.
A Holistic Vision for Aging in Place
Ms. Murphy emphasizes that aging in place involves more than just individuals; it entails their environment, social connections, and caregivers. “Technology isn’t the only solution,” she says, “but it can be harnessed to support people remain where they want to remain as they age.”
As innovations in age-tech continue to expand, seniors like Betty Falkner can look forward to more options, enhanced independence, and improved quality of life while aging comfortably in their own homes.
