In continuation to my post on world population, here let’s try to find a solution to the only
concern regarding declining population. “ Elderly caregiving ”
The statistics and chart above are cause for concern. By 2080, the number of people
aged 65 and above will exceed the number of children under 18. By 2030, one in six
people globally will be over the age of 60. In Japan, 30% of the population is already
over 60.
This data highlights the growing need to focus on elderly care. Key health concerns
faced by older adults include:
● Hearing and vision loss
● Osteoarthritis
● Diabetes and pulmonary conditions
● Depression
● Dementia
Japan is currently facing all of these challenges in real-time and offers a valuable case
study in elderly care. We must observe and learn from their strategies by exploring:
● What are they doing now?
● What do they plan to do in the next five years?
● What do they aim to achieve in the next decade?
Learning from Japan will help the rest of the world better prepare for the future of
caregiving. Elderly care is an expensive and resource-intensive task, and Japan has
focused its efforts across three key areas:
1. Automation
2. Robotics
3. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
In automation, Japan has digitalised the medical records of elderly individuals. These
individuals wear compact monitoring devices, such as wristbands, which continuously
transmit health data. Station staff can remotely access this information, enabling a
single caregiver to monitor multiple patients and make timely decisions regarding
medication based on the digital records.
Three main robots: PARO, PEPPER, and ROBEAR are being deployed in nursing
homes across Japan to assist with various aspects of elderly care:
● PARO: A therapeutic seal robot providing emotional comfort.
● PEPPER: Recognizes residents, assists with medication, exercises, and
facilitates games.
● ROBEAR: Designed to safely lift and move patients, offering hugs and affection
In the AI front, an advanced integration of automation and robotics, designed to provide
elderly individuals with more personalized and empathetic care has been implemented.
AI systems can interpret facial expressions and behavioral cues to understand what a
person needs and determine the best way to respond.
Japanese elderly care is also addressing two previously unmet needs in caregiving
through innovative technologies:
1. AIREC : This is the first robot capable of rolling over patients and performing two
of the most physically demanding caregiving tasks:
a) Changing diapers
b) Preventing bedsores by repositioning bedridden patients
2.HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) : Often referred to as a “wearable cyborg,” HAL is
a soft-bodied exoskeleton designed to assist elderly individuals with physical
tasks. It detects faint bio-signals from the brain and supports movements that the
aged person may be too weak to perform.
Over the next decade, caregiving technologies will become even more advanced, many
of which we cannot yet fully imagine. However, two innovations are already on the brink:
1. Humanoid Robots : Robots like AMECA and ERICA will become everyday
companions for the elderly. These robots will have faces, voices, and
expressions resembling loved ones, offering not only assistance but also
emotional companionship. They will provide a human-like presence and
interaction, bringing comfort and dignity during the twilight years of life
2. Iron Man Suit (Graphene Clothing) :
Graphene is a remarkable material which is lightweight, incredibly strong,
flexible, conductive, affordable, and durable. In the near future, elderly individuals
may wear clothing made from graphene. These garments will support mobility,
posture, and stability, empowering seniors in their daily lives.
The challenges faced by today’s elderly population are immense. Over the past 50
years, they have witnessed rapid and sweeping changes that have been difficult to
adapt to.They were born into large, connected families but are often aging alone.They
spent their youth in an offline world, and now everything is digital.They experienced real
social interaction, but now much of life happens through screens.They are not part of
the Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok generation.
This generation finds it hard to adjust, but future generations of elderly individuals,
having grown up with technology, may not face such a drastic shift.
Today’s younger generation is already familiar with solitude and digital interaction. When
they grow old, they won’t be as unprepared.
Robots and AI will continue to reshape every field. Yet, caregiving may remain one of
the few professions where machines will not fully replace human touch. Still, technology
can bridge the gap, as the number of caregivers continues to decline in the years
ahead.
