Writer: Nuttawut Kulkaew

Editor: Wittaya Wonglor

Home Technology Boosts Well-Being for Older Adults

Mental health of older adults is an urgent issue. Thailand is stepping into a fully aged society, with 18.8% of its population over 60 in 2022 (2.5 of 66.7 million people). As life expectancy rises from 77.74 years today to 85 by 2025, there will be 20.4 million older adults in Thailand by 2040 (about 30% of the population of 69 million). Surveys in Thailand and around the world find that older adults are willing to live in their own space. But 70% of people over 65 need long-term care. Mental healthcare can enable older adults to live happily with the support they need as well as independence and good social relations.

More accurate and easily accessible information about mental healthcare, such as stress management, is being provided. Simple psychotherapy knowledge can be applied to everyday life. Many technological ideas can improve mental healthcare not only for the elderly but all members of the family. Online mental health services can be provided through various platforms. Small robots can be connected to home devices to help collect health data for doctors. An assistant robot can conduct preliminary screenings and also call ambulances and contact relatives in an emergency. 3D printers can produce personalized medicines and dietary supplements. More technology will be used at the city or national level. A real-time mental health situation detection system will be able to improve mental health and quality of life.

Implications for the future:

- Increased mental health and dementia services for elderly patients will help provide more inclusive care. An application at the community level will reduce the disparity of access to services and make it easier to reduce the severity of the disease.

- Technology for government administration (GovTech) will play a greater role in public healthcare.

- The silver economy will play an important role in social, economic, and ethical aspects for all sectors to cope with health and well-being issues.

Reference:

- Future Opportunities Report: The Global 50 https://www.dubaifuture.ae/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Future-Opportunities-Report-TheGlobal50-English.pdf

- https://hospicenews.com/2022/09/28/rippl-to-offer-home-based-mental-health-care-for-seniors-after-32-million-seed-round/

- Where We Live, Where We Age: Trends in Home and Community Preferences https://www.aarp.org/research/topics/community/info-2021/2021-home-community-preferences.html

- Population of Thailand https://statisticstimes.com/demographics/country/thailand-population.php

- Thailand Demographics https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/thailand-demographics/#life-exp

- Modern science and technology can help improve both physical and mental health of the elderly at home.

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