b'INNOVATIONIntegrating technology intolong-term carethe ironic realityBy David StollerI t is a well-documented truth thatexpectancy at birth for women willthe community. Those who need Canadas population is aging, andrise to 86.2 years from the current24/7 support and supervision are in a that more work needs to be done84.2 and to 82.9 years from theparticularly difficult position, as long-to support the demographic shift wecurrent 80 for men. term beds are not always available and are having in the Great White North.wait lists are long.In fact, by 2030 seniors will numberWith a larger proportion of our over 9.5 million and make up 23% ofpopulation being made up of seniors,This is where the irony exists: There Canadians. According to Statisticsand those individuals living longeris an identified need to support older Canada, by 2036 the average lifethan ever before, Canada (and theadults, there is a well-developed world) is facing a reality that has neversector developing these solutions, existed before. The population isand yet the reality is that many of aging, and were not ready for it. the solutions and technologies being developed will never reach The Original Dry Vapour CompanySince 1979 At the same time, the level ofadoption despite their ability to deliver ELIMINATE technological innovation is moving atsignificant value to the market. Today, a pace that is unparalleled in Canadasthere is not a shortage of good ideas ODOURS history. Today there are new solutionsor solutions; the shortage exists in the Naturally arriving to the market that leveragewillingness to explore, test, and adopt artificial intelligence, predictivethose technologies that will makeanalytics, robotic companions, faciala difference. recognition, and virtual cliniciansall to support the aging population that isFacing the truthever growing. There is no question that technology can support an aging population, The reality of an aging populationparticularly in a retirement or long-% GUA RANTE brings with it a significant challengeterm setting. There is also no denying 00E1 SATISFACTION as it relates to capacity. No longerthe fact that the adoption and 100% GUT EE ARAN are there plenty of options for peopleintegration of technology can prove to find the care they need, in theto be a massive challenge and can simplenaturaleconomicalchoices place they need. People enteringoften end in failure. This can be due vaportek.ca905.632.0921 their golden years are trying to findto a number of factors, but those that ways to age in place and remain instand out are tied to the willingness 40 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2020'