There’s a running joke that many grandparents’ homes still flash “12:00” on their DVD players. It’s a lighthearted nod to older Australians’ uneasy relationship with technology, but behind it lies a deeper story.
Despite an explosion of smart devices promising safer, more independent ageing, many older Australians still say no to home-based technologies. From surveillance fears to emotional barriers, digital exclusion, and poor design, it’s a much more human story than just “not being tech-savvy.”
It’s not just about learning
Older Australians aren’t averse to learning new things. In fact, many embraced telehealth and Zoom during the pandemic. But even with support, research from the ACMA shows they still feel overwhelmed and frustrated by fast-paced digital change. For many, technology isn’t second nature; it’s a source of stress.
The problem is rarely just technical literacy. Often, it’s emotional. Accepting a fall sensor or installing a remote-monitoring system can feel like surrendering control. Technology meant to empower can instead become a symbol of dependency. No wonder many choose to go without.
Surveillance or support?
Passive monitoring devices – motion sensors, smart plugs, AI cameras – can collect sensitive data without ongoing user involvement. While these tools aim to keep people safe, they can also feel intrusive. Older adults, especially in private home settings, may resent the idea of being “watched” without permission.
One Australian startup, Umps, initially deployed smart plugs in seniors’ homes to track daily routines. Though designed with privacy in mind, the tech was often rejected. The insight? Seniors didn’t want to be monitored without consent. Even subtle tech felt invasive when it lacked user control. As CEO Adam Jahnke reflected, “If the user has no control over the data or alerts, that’s a significant barrier.”
This finding aligns with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare research, which highlights that older adults consistently rank independence and autonomy as top priorities.
The stigma of “needing help”
Using a personal alarm or fall detector can also feel like admitting frailty. For older people who’ve lived independently all their lives, wearing a device that screams “medical” can feel like wearing a label.
Stigma is a silent barrier. Many personal alarms are left unworn, stashed in drawers, or forgotten on windowsills. If a device feels embarrassing or infantilising, people simply won’t use it. Co-designing tech that feels like a choice, not a compromise, is essential.
Left behind by design
Let’s face it: much of today’s tech isn’t built for seniors. Tiny fonts, confusing apps, hard-to-press buttons. These design flaws frustrate older users. Without thoughtful design, a device meant to assist can become just another obstacle.
Moreover, support is lacking. Many older Australians don’t have easy access to someone who can explain how to set up or troubleshoot a device. Without guidance, tech confidence falters. And when confidence goes, so does usage.
As noted in the CSIRO Future of Aged Care report, many older Australians reported abandoning technology after just one negative experience, citing lack of support as a key reason.
Cost is a real barrier
Even when the will is there, the wallet might not be. Many older Australians live on fixed incomes. While some government programs offer subsidised devices through Home Care Packages or CHSP, navigating funding can be confusing and time-consuming. Those who miss out are left paying out-of-pocket for tech they may not be sure about.
And even low-cost devices come with hidden expenses – home Wi-Fi, charging stations, repairs, and software updates. If there’s no one around to help, these extra steps become hurdles.
The fear of replacing human care
Technology can bring incredible efficiencies, but it can also raise a subtle fear: that human connection might be replaced. If a sensor can alert a nurse, will the nurse still visit? If a loved one knows there’s tech in the home, will they check in less?
Older people value relationships. They want to feel cared for, not managed. If tech makes them feel alone, it’s likely to be met with resistance.
A different story in residential care
Interestingly, many of these fears ease in residential aged care. There, some level of monitoring is expected. Families often welcome sensor technology when it’s used transparently and respectfully. In a structured setting, technology can enhance care without threatening autonomy.
A 2022 survey by Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) found that 70% of families supported the use of sensor-based monitoring in aged care homes when paired with clear communication and staff involvement.
Designing for dignity
So where do we go from here? First, tech needs to be designed with older people, not just for them. That means co-design, real feedback, and solutions that respect choice. Technologies that empower older people, giving them control over when and how to use it, are far more likely to be embraced.
Second, wraparound support is critical. That means training, troubleshooting, and digital coaching tailored to seniors. Without it, even the best-designed tech can fail.
Finally, affordability matters. Tech that supports safety and wellbeing should be accessible to all, not just those who can afford it. Government and providers have a role to play in ensuring the benefits of innovation are shared.
The future is familiar
As Baby Boomers age, attitudes may shift. This generation is more tech-literate, more demanding, and more likely to question outdated models of care. But the core lesson remains: successful aged care technology isn’t just about features. It’s about how it makes people feel.
Technology must enhance dignity, not diminish it. It should foster independence, not take it away. Most importantly, it should fit into older people’s lives on their terms. Until then, many will keep saying “no thanks” – and who can blame them?
I agree totally. I work in the aged care industry and at 64 I find the technology frightening. I’m slower to learn slower in typing reports. We do not much more help via education. This is a problem because younger people don’t realise how slow we take new things in and they need to explain things a
Lot differently. The need to go over and over instructions again and again is necessary in a language we can understand. It requires a lot of patience.