Supporting silver surfers at home

Research in the International Journal of Data Science has looked at how network security technologies can be integrated into the redesign of ordinary homes for older adults with a view to improving their quality of life.

The approach could offer an alternative to institutional care for members of an ageing population. The research suggests that conventional housing could be adapted for older residents with a new ethos that overcomes the limitations of earlier approaches. Some of those earlier approaches could not address the complex and evolving risks associated with later-life living.

Home-based care of older people is commonly the preferred choice, but it is often stymied by interiors that were designed for younger, mobile individuals rather than those with reduced mobility, sensory impairment, or cognitive changes. The work suggests that network security systems that protect personal data as well as the interconnected sensors and monitoring systems that manage risk, detect hazards, and respond to changes in a resident’s condition or environment.

The researchers have considered a standard two-bedroom flat and tested an approach that combined a useful setup with intelligent monitoring. The redesigned interior used networked sensors to identify potential dangers, support adaptable layouts, and define functional zones that could change according to daily routines and care needs.

The work highlights how the integration of useful technology into the home can be done so as not to detract from domestic comfort or visual aesthetics, which are also important to quality of life. The modified flat demonstrated how improvements not only in safety but also in usability and overall livability could be undertaken.

The findings have implications for social policy and public finance. Safer, more adaptable homes could allow older adults to remain independent for longer, reducing society’s reliance on residential care facilities. This could thus reduce the pressure on public care budgets and pension schemes. The next step will be to look at other forms of housing and to investigate whether the approach is scalable.

Yu, T. (2025) ‘Design and transformation of the interior space for home-based care for the aged based on network security’, Int. J. Data Science, Vol. 10, No. 7, pp.1–15.