technology
Empowering tech in aged care
How can technology empower
people in later life?
Don Kerr interviewed by Dallas Bastian
I
t was concern about social isolation
and loneliness in his own elderly father
that led Associate Professor Don Kerr to
look into the ways in which technology can
empower people in later life.
Kerr, from the Faculty of Arts, Business
and Law at the University of the Sunshine
Coast, first looked into the potential for
Xbox gaming to bolster older adults’
perceptions of their driving abilities.
But he found that empowering
technologies that involve physical or
educational training to help seniors maintain
their capabilities aren’t as readily adopted by
older adults as supportive technologies that
help them with their everyday activities.
In a recent study he co-authored,
researchers found that elderly people lag
in realising the benefits of empowering
technologies due to the fact their effect
isn’t immediately noticeable.
Kerr says some people think the time to
learn new technologies has passed, but
adds: “Given the demographics now, an
80-year-old could live for another 15–20
years, so you really need to have a positive
outlook on life.
“I think that these sorts of empowering
technologies can help people feel better
about themselves and learn new skills.”
36 agedcareinsite.com.au
Kerr says he hopes older adults,
technology developers and those within
the aged care sector engage more with
empowering technologies, adding in some
cases they might prevent the need for
some forms of supportive technologies.
“Things like the Wii Fit game is a good
example where you can