Welfare Technology in the Senior and Disability Field in Aabenraa Municipality

Seventy-five participants, mostly older citizens, attended the meeting at Folkehjem on January 22, 2025, to share their views on technology, gadgets, and the future of the healthcare system.

"In Aabenraa Municipality, we have a long tradition of working intensively on the implementation of welfare technology. Now we are due to get a new strategy that builds upon the municipality’s ambitious approach", explains Karen Storgaard Larsen, Director of Social & Health in Aabenraa Municipality, and continues:

- To succeed with the implementation of welfare technology, brave politicians, brave employees, and brave citizens are prerequisites. All these elements were present at the citizen meeting, where ambitions, hopes, concerns, and opportunities were discussed in a constructive and positive spirit.

At the meeting, participants were given insight into the changes the future will bring, allowing them to provide input on how technology can contribute to daily life. Additionally, they were shown solutions that they can purchase themselves to make their lives easier.

Technology in relation to ethics, relationships, quality of life, and equality

Two slightly speculative and different future scenarios served as a background for curious discussions among citizens, professionals, and politicians, especially on topics such as technology in relation to ethics, relationships, quality of life, equality, and more. 

Once the scenarios were thoroughly considered, it became an opportunity to explore the possibilities that these technologies might carry.

“Technology should support where it makes sense!” remarked one citizen.

What future are we looking into?

Charlotte Maria Max from The Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark contributed with a presentation on the future we are heading towards: the challenges posed by demographic changes, rising healthcare costs, expectations regarding healthcare and elder care reforms, and future megatrends in technology and AI, the wellness economy, along with ongoing concerns and focus on sustainability and climate.