Aged Care innovations attract $800,000 funding

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

AI brain games co-designed with kaumātua, gaming technology to prevent online scamming and Te Reo Māori fluent personalised virtual companions are some of the grant recipients of the inaugural Respectful Ageing Innovation Challenge.

The Selwyn Foundation launched the challenge in October 2023. More than 100 applications were made with twelve winners selected who will share almost $800,000 in funding.

One of the successful applicants is Elli Cares, an age-in-place advanced monitoring app for older people with impaired cognitive function to enhance safety and independence.

Gamefroot will use the funding to develop cognitive games using gaming technology to empower older people against online scamming and Dev Academy Aotearoa will develop an Artificial Intelligence training programme for people working with seniors.

JIX attracted funding for Te Reo Māori fluent empathic personalised virtual companions for older people to alleviate social isolation and loneliness and JKV Kitcal for age-in-place accessible digital technology with built-in wireless capability to enable social connection and wellbeing for seniors.

Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust is co-designing AI brain games with kaumātua to support ongoing cognitive functioning and the Pasifika Digital Knowledge Bank provides training for older Pacific people to enhance their digital literacy.

Auckland University won two grants: to create a digital VR health system to increase effective exercise and reduce falls for seniors, and a system for mobile-based advanced real-time tracking in dementia care called Smart-Dementia.

Research commissioned by The Selwyn Foundation last year highlighted that older people’s need is great and growing. 

Over a third of seniors in Aotearoa New Zealand experience vulnerability and 13 percent experience multiple disadvantage (vulnerabilities in two or more domains of life and wellbeing) and there are at least 37,500 seniors in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Te Tai Tokerau Northland who are experiencing multiple disadvantage. 

Older Māori and Pacific people experience particular inequity and adverse outcomes, as do seniors with mental health issues and single older women, and there are many others who are marginalised and ‘invisible’ within society, the research found.

The Selwyn Foundation chief executive Denise Cosgrove, says applications for the challenge came from social enterprises, tech entrepreneurs, community organisations, businesses and academic institutions. 

“As the number of older people in Aotearoa New Zealand increases – by 2028, one in five of us will be aged over 65 – the proportion of those experiencing need will also grow significantly. So it’s critical that we bring fresh thinking to address the range of complex challenges that vulnerable seniors face,” she says.

“Each of the successful applicants is doing remarkable work that has the potential to have a major impact on improving seniors’ quality of life.”

Chief executive of Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust, Rangimahora Reddy, says it is a privilege to be chosen as a recipient. 

“We are thrilled by the opportunity to co-create with Kaumātua once again and support them to realize their vision with the exceptional resources and support provided by The Selwyn Foundation,” he says.

Read more Digital Patient news

Return to eHealthNews.nz home page