Balancing care for ageing parents: How can technology help?
Caring for an ageing parent can be one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do. It can also be one of the most challenging.
Many adult children find themselves balancing work, relationships, financial commitments and raising children while also supporting an ageing parent. If you've ever felt stretched too thin, worried you aren't doing enough, or guilty that you can't be there all the time, you're not alone. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around 3 million Australians are carers, representing almost 12% of the population.
The reality is that most people are doing the very best they can, even when it doesn't always feel like enough.
The challenge of balancing competing responsibilities
The Australian Institute of Family Studies notes that informal caregiving can often be comparable to a full-time role, with caring responsibilities affecting carers' health, wellbeing, employment and financial circumstances.
The term "sandwich generation" was coined to describe people who are caring for both children and ageing parents at the same time. While family life has changed over the years, the pressures remain familiar.
Many carers are juggling full-time work, family responsibilities and the emotional demands of supporting a loved one whose needs may be increasing over time. It can feel like there's always something more you should be doing.
But providing good care doesn't necessarily mean being available every hour of every day. It's about ensuring your loved one has the support they need, even when you can't be there yourself.
When you can't be there
For many families, the hardest part of caring for an ageing parent is the time spent apart.
Questions like these can weigh heavily on carers' minds:
- What if Mum falls when she's home alone?
- What if Dad becomes unwell and can't get to the phone?
- What if there's an emergency while they're out and about?
Many older Australians want to continue living safely and independently in their own homes. Family members often want to support that independence while also knowing help is available if something goes wrong.
How technology can help families feel more supported
Technology is playing an increasingly important role in helping older Australians live independently.
While technology can't remove the responsibilities that come with caring for an ageing parent, it can help reduce some of the worry that many carers experience.
For families, one of the biggest challenges is not knowing what might happen when they're not there. Modern technologies such as video calling, medication reminders, wearable devices and personal alarms can provide reassurance that older loved ones have access to support when they need it.
Rather than replacing family involvement, these tools can help carers feel more confident that their loved one can stay connected, maintain their independence and access assistance in an emergency.
This can be particularly valuable for people balancing caring responsibilities alongside work, children or other commitments.
How personal alarms support independence and peace of mind
A monitored personal alarm can provide an extra layer of support for both carers and loved ones.
With the press of a button, users connect to a 24/7 emergency response team who assess the situation and arrange assistance if required. This means family members don't need to feel solely responsible for being available every moment of every day.
The key benefits for carers are:
- Reducing worry when you can't be there
- Knowing someone will respond in an emergency
- Feeling less solely responsible
- Supporting independence without compromising safety
For many people, a monitored personal alarm provides greater confidence to live independently and continue enjoying everyday life. For families, it offers reassurance that support is available around the clock and that trained responders know how to handle the emergency.
Support for carers
If you're supporting an ageing parent or loved one, remember that help is available for carers, too.
Carer Gateway
A national support service for unpaid carers. It provides counselling, coaching, peer support, respite services and practical information to help carers manage their caring responsibilities.
Carers Australia
Information, advocacy and links to support services across Australia, helping carers navigate the challenges of caring while balancing their own wellbeing.
My Aged Care
The national aged care services and support hub. Also helps families understand the aged care services available to older Australians.
It's okay to accept support
Many carers place enormous pressure on themselves to manage everything alone. But seeking support isn't a sign of failure. In fact, it's often one of the most caring decisions you can make.
Having the right support in place can help older Australians maintain their independence while giving families confidence that assistance is available if it's ever needed.
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