Dr Alessandra Doolan is an Australian healthcare professional with more than 25 years’ experience across the public, private and NGO sectors. Her expertise includes health technology, health economics, policy, research medicine and governance. She is a strong advocate for equitable, person-centred care and focuses on safe, high-quality health, disability and policy solutions that meet real-world community needs. Dr Doolan has contributed to government consultations on MBS and Primary Care reviews, aged care, disability reform, digital health and workforce sustainability. She has served as a Specialist Advisor to the TGA and contributes to Australian Standards and global ISO committees.
Dr Doolan provides ongoing mentorship to students through her affiliate roles with the Australian MedTech Industry, the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney, and as Founder of HTAG – The Health and Technology Advisory Group, a healthcare and NDIS provider registered across all Australian States and Territories.
The Economic and Clinical Value of Assistive Technology: Enhancing Dementia and Chronic Care Management in the Home and Community
In Australia, dementia is now the leading cause of death, accounting for about 1 in 10 deaths nationwide. The total health and aged care system expenditure for dementia care costs around $6 billion annually according to a recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report. Currently, around 70% of Australians with dementia live in a community setting. However, there is a severe shortage in the care workforce, and future projections suggest the demand for face-to-face care workers will not be met. Innovative technologies are increasing the possibility for older Australians with dementia to remain living independently at home.
Evidence shows that staying at home can slow the progression of dementia, and continuous access to in-home supports, healthcare, allied health services, and family support remains important for daily health management and ongoing well-being.
Practical digital solutions can promote safety, independence, connection, and timely intervention. Examples of these tools include medication reminders, orientation aids, digital calendars, item finders, fall detection, telehealth, and virtual care consultations. When implemented safely, technology and digital tools can assist people with dementia to maintain daily functions, reduce avoidable risks, and continue to actively participate in decisions about their care.
Additionally, remote monitoring, wearable devices, and smart home technologies help care teams recognise changes in behaviour, mobility, sleep, medication use, nutrition, or functional capacity. These tools do not replace human care – but can enhance the capability of clinicians, nurses, and support workers – saving hours each week, improving workforce efficiency, and ease staff shortages. Furthermore, when integrated into digital care planning, these insights can support earlier intervention, better coordination between services, and more responsive decision-making.
Implementing technology use in dementia care also presents challenges. Barriers include limited digital confidence, access to technology funding, affordability challenges, fragmented infrastructure systems, and concerns about privacy, consent, and monitoring. Successful adoption requires co-design with people living with cognitive conditions such as dementia, their carers, clinicians, and frontline care teams.
Technology and assistive devices provide a positive impact when they focus on safe and person-centred care. A comprehensive national approach to digital health must ensure that Australians with dementia, chronic conditions, and disabilities have equitable funding access to safe technologies, which will significantly improve quality of care, lower healthcare system costs, reduce carer burden, and improve workforce efficiency.