The Straits Times says

Smart Nation, smart senior citizens

New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

A smart floor mat to help healthcare professionals or caregivers monitor the elderly, especially those who live alone, could be on the market by early next year. It is a good example of how technology can and should be used to improve the lives of senior citizens in the Smart Nation that Singapore aspires to be. The floor mat is a small but important device, and an indicator of how family members or other parties could be involved in keeping track of the daily well-being of elderly citizens without intruding into their privacy.

It would be wrong to think that Smart Nation initiatives appeal to and are targeted mainly at the young or the tech-savvy. Undoubtedly, they will be its primary beneficiaries as they will reap the rewards of the progress that is envisioned by the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office. It sees a Singapore connected seamlessly by technology, enriched by businesses that flourish in the digital economy, and transformed in the crucial domains of health, transport, urban solutions, finance and education. The young will enjoy the dividends of a nation plugged into a world where digitisation reduces the effects of physical distance on the collaborative potential of nations. The Asean Smart Cities Network initiative is one such concrete example.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 17, 2018, with the headline Smart Nation, smart senior citizens. Subscribe