Homeara+: Enhancing Health Smart Home Monitoring with Machine Learning to Support Ageing in Place and Regional Aged Care Workforce

The project deployed the Homeara+ HSH system in the homes of 10 community-dwelling older adults across regional and rural Queensland, in partnership with Suncare Community Services and the Kilkivan District and Community Care Association Inc. (KDCCAI). Passive environmental sensors (motion, contact, and environmental) were installed to monitor everyday patterns of movement, room use, sleep-related activity, and household routines — without cameras, microphones, or wearable devices. A dashboard was developed to present sensor data to care staff in an accessible format. Workforce engagement activities included a webinar for Suncare nursing staff (June 2026) focused on HSH technology literacy and data interpretation. Older adults and family caregivers were engaged through face-to-face co-design sessions, and community members of the KDCCAI provided end-user feedback on project resources. Four open-access stakeholder guides were developed, along with webinar-based educational content. A machine learning approach to behavioural pattern recognition was explored alongside the passive sensor platform. 

Key outcomes included: 

• successful deployment of the Homeara+ system in 10 homes using a low-burden, privacy-preserving approach; 
• demonstration that passive sensing can surface patterns relevant to health, function, and wellbeing; a workforce webinar building awareness among Suncare nursing staff; community education sessions for KDCCAI members; 
• development of four stakeholder-specific open-access guides and supporting educational materials; 
• and generation of important implementation insights regarding workforce readiness, funding models, organisational capacity, and the impact of aged care reform on technology adoption.

The findings highlight that the aged care sector may be at risk of falling behind broader digital health developments unless greater attention is given to workforce capability, implementation readiness, and technology-enabled models of care. Aged care providers are currently operating in highly constrained environments, and without clear implementation pathways, funding support, and workforce investment, emerging technologies risk remaining peripheral to routine practice. The project demonstrates that passive HSH technologies can be implemented in ways that are acceptable to older adults and have potential to support workforce augmentation — enabling care staff to monitor patterns remotely, prioritise home visits, and engage in more proactive care planning. Successful broader adoption will require coordinated action across policy, funding, workforce development, research, and consumer engagement. 

Future plans include: a larger national study on perspectives of older adults, families, and providers towards HSH technologies; expansion of educational resources including culturally appropriate guides; establishment of an Australian Gerontechnology Chapter under the International Society of Gerontechnology; a higher degree research program (Masters/PhD) in gerontechnology and machine learning; and pursuit of international funding (e.g., Horizon Europe) to support multinational implementation studies. A presentation at the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) conference is confirmed for November 2026, Melbourne, and a presentation at the International Conference on Biosensors and Biosensing Technology (Berlin, October 2026) has been accepted.