New assisted-living technology plays an important role in Denmark’s elderly care. Every day, a range of solutions help improve the quality of life for elderly citizens and support healthcare professionals in creating an efficient, high-quality framework for care, rehabilitation, and prevention.
Denmark’s tradition of publicly funded care for elderly citizens dates back to the emergence of the welfare state in the 1930’s. But over the past few decades, the approach to care has changed significantly. By working with targeted efforts, elderly citizens can maintain their independence and stay in their own homes for as long as possible. Nursing homes and other care facilities have also been supplemented with efforts to help improve the quality of life for residents. These efforts are increasingly supported by assisted-living technologies and other innosupported innovative solutions that bring a number of benefits for both vative citizens and caregivers.

Innovative Danish solutions

This white paper describes some of the assistive technologies that are currently being implemented in Denmark’s elderly care. Some are already commonly used by municipalities across the country while others are still in early trials. Overall, these innovative solutions have been developed to empower elderly citizens, giving them a more active role in their own treatment, assisting them in their daily routines, and keeping them connected, active, and physically safe. These innovative solutions, which also facilitate improved communication and information sharing between caregivers, citizens, and their families, are important enablers for the comprehensive Danish home-nursing support of elderly citizens in their own homes.

Prevention and early detection

Data-driven solutions can assist municipalities in detecting the need for preventive efforts, identifying citizens with special challenges, or reacting faster in cases of emergency. The specific technologies range from wearable technology that is simple and easy to use to complex digital platforms allowing data to be gathered, shared, and utilized in new ways, improving citizens’ quality of life as well as the workflows of care professionals.

Person-centered approach to rehabilitation

In Denmark, rehabilitation interventions are person-centered and adapted to the individual, aiming at the highest possible level of participation and inclusion. This enables the citizen to remain independent, self-reliant, and to participate actively for as long as possible. Technology-driven solutions are important in honoring the ambition of ‘everyday rehabilitation’. These solutions include, among other things, intelligent rehabilitation equipment such as motion sensors and robots that help citizens train independently.

Improving the working environment for healthcare professionals

Being known for having a safe and attractive working environment is a factor in attracting new employees. This is a priority for most care- giver organizations as the issue of workforce shortages is on the rise. Innovative technologies can improve the working environment for healthcare professionals while maintaining a high level of care quality. Ceiling lifts, bathing chairs, reversing systems, sliding and turning systems for beds, entry-exit beds, and hygiene solutions support citizens in their everyday routines, improve professionals’ physical working environment and free up physical and mental resources allowing more time for personal contact and primary care.

Nursing homes of the future

New technologies can be integrated in the dsign of nursing homes to support the overall aim of homeliness, stimulation, mobility, and social inclusion. This white paper describes some of the solutions that meet current and future demands for the design and interior of nursing homes. These solutions share a holistic approach to care, often addressing multiple concerns such as functionality, safety, aesthetics, and accessibility at the same time.