At-Home Care Assistive Technology to Promote Aging in Place

iElder has been actively supporting the Aging in Place program by providing home care products, conducting home hazard assessments, and carrying out home modifications. Our goal is to enable seniors to live independently, safely, and with dignity in their own homes.

Our Key Initiatives

1. ACT4Health Training Healthcare Professionals
   In collaboration with ACT4Health, an initiative led by Professor Tan Maw Pin from University Malaya, we conduct training programs for healthcare professionals. These sessions focus on home hazard assessment, home modification, and fall risk assessment to help reduce accidents and support safe living for the elderly.
   
   
2. Monash Gerontology Lab Research & Support for B40 Communities
   iElder has sponsored a research project with Monash University on home improvement programs for the B40 community. Through this initiative, we provide free home modifications to low-income families, making aging in place more accessible. Our first project results will be published soon.
   
   
   Professor Teh Pei Lee from the Monash University Gerontology Lab, together with her research team, visited families as part of the home improvement project.
   
3. iElder Ageing-in-Place Showroom
   We recently launched our new showroom at AIM Healthcare Subang Jaya, designed as a dedicated space for families to explore practical solutions for senior care at home. The showroom demonstrates how the right bedroom setup and assistive technology can enhance comfort, safety, and quality of life.
   
   The showroom features three sample rooms:
   3.1 Dementia-Friendly Bedroom – designed to reduce confusion and enhance independence.
   
   3.2 Fall Prevention / Post-Hospital Bedroom – equipped with safety features to aid recovery and prevent falls.
   
   3.3 Bedridden Comfort Bedroom – tailored to provide maximum comfort and support for long-term care at home.
   
   
4. Home Hazard Assessments for Families
   iElder also provides home hazard assessments for families looking to improve their living environment. These assessments help identify and address potential risks, ultimately enhancing safety and improving the quality of life for the elderly at home.
   

To ensure a safe and dignified living environment for our senior citizens, it is vital to make their homes more senior-friendly. As aging progresses, many elders face risks such as falling, limited mobility, and difficulties in daily living. A home environment designed with safety and comfort in mind can greatly reduce these challenges.

iElder has been taking steady steps to renovate homes for the elderly, addressing practical needs such as walking assistance, safer bathing facilities, accessible home cleaning, emergency rescue systems, and rehabilitation support. These efforts aim to protect seniors from preventable injuries and improve their quality of life.

Many studies have shown that simple changes to the home can make life much safer for older adults and help them stay independent for longer. Factors such as age, health, education, and the type of home we live in can influence the kinds of changes that are most helpful.

Benefits of assistive technology for Ageing in Place

1. Safety & independence
2. Health Monitoring - Telehealth and connected devices support early detection, reducing hospital visits.
3. Reduced caregiver burden - AI assistants, medication reminders and mobility aids ease both physical and emotional load. 
4. Cost Saving - preventative tools delay institutional care and lower healthcare costs for families. 
5. Quality of Life - Active ageing tools reduce isolation and pomote social connectivity with family and community.

Way Forward

We propose that the Government extend support by offering subsidies, funded by the public welfare lottery, to qualified senior citizens who are impoverished, childless, or living alone. Each eligible household could receive remodeling assistance of at least RM3,000, ensuring that no elderly person is left behind due to financial constraints.

One proposal is to set up a government web portal to raise awareness about home modifications and the incentives available. Seniors could apply online or visit a nearby government center for assistance. Once approved, an occupational therapist would visit the home, assess the needs of the elderly person, and recommend suitable modifications. A list of approved vendors would also be provided to supply the items and carry out the work.

The survey identified twelve types of home modifications, grouped into six categories:

1. Floors – Apply anti slip treatment on existing floor, Installing non-slip tiles or vinyl, and flattening uneven floors.
2. Corridors – Adding ramps at thresholds, removing raised steps, and widening doors.
3. Handrails – Placing support rails beside the bed, in toilets, and at doorways.
4. Appliances – Adjusting switches and sockets, installing sensor nightlights, and replacing taps with lever or sensor types.
5. Bathrooms – Removing bathtubs or shower enclosures, adding shower curtains, and creating more shower space.
6. IoT Solution including SOS button – Installing emergency buttons or wearable pendants that connect to caregivers, family members, or emergency services at the press of a button.
7. AI & digital platform: telehealth, medication and virtual assistance
8. Robotics: mobility assistance, fall detection

With these modifications, seniors can enjoy a safer, more comfortable home environment while maintaining confidence and independence.

“More and more senior citizens and their families are seeking solutions to make their homes safer and more convenient,” said Dr. Kong of AIM Healthcare. His team frequently visits seniors’ homes, assesses health and living conditions, develops remodeling plans in consultation with families, and carries out practical upgrades.

However, experts note that home remodeling for the elderly remains in its early stages in Malaysia. Public awareness is still low; many families are unaware of the high risks of falls among seniors or the importance of senior-friendly home design.

Governments, businesses, and community organizations can collaborate with property managers, leveraging outreach methods such as advertisements, workshops, and educational campaigns. Together, we can help seniors and their families recognize the necessity of safer home environments and encourage widespread adoption of senior-friendly remodeling.

Creating safer homes for the elderly is not only an act of care — it is an investment in health, dignity, and social responsibility.

Source: 

• 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025)
• National Policy for Older Persons
• MyDIGITAL