One in three people over the age of 65 lives alone. Since the mid-1980s, the number of one-person households has nearly doubled – with older people increasingly living alone. According to data from Statistik Austria, in 2020 there were almost four million private households – 1,506,000 of which were single-person households. However, if this trend continues, it will have a huge impact on the quality of life and care for older people by 2030 at the latest.
As shown by a Statistics Austria study and many other research projects, our society is undergoing demographic changes. This will lead to a significant change in the population structure in the coming years. The aging of the baby boomer generation, combined with the trend toward single-person households and a declining birth rate, is significantly worsening the situation in the care sector. As is well known, the care sector has been suffering from a shortage of certified caregivers for years. In 2030 alone, Austria is projected to need around 100,000 caregivers. This estimate, of course, also means new career opportunities in a diverse and dynamic professional field. Increasing digitalization is making work in the care and support sector even more attractive.
Another solution for easing the burden of daily care and improving the quality of life for older adults is the JAMES tablet, a specialized device that entertains seniors with senior-friendly, easy-to-use software. The tablet serves as a comprehensive communication hub between professional care and in-home care. Consequently, the system brings professional care tools into the homes of users. Care organizations can send a professional care plan, which includes instructions and video guides, to caregivers and family caregivers via the JAMES tablet. Both the plan and the content are tailored to the needs of the care recipient. Additionally, caregivers and family members can easily document daily tasks using checklists in the tablet's care app. By integrating additional features, such as a family portal to improve communication with relatives, the tablet is evolving into a comprehensive service platform.
The demand for higher-quality care is growing, not only from professional care facilities and home health aides, but also in the broader field of home care. However, this should not discourage people from entering the nursing profession. The nursing workflow is becoming increasingly simplified with the help of digital tools, allowing care professionals to focus on what's most important – the person they are caring for – while also being able to meet new challenges.