£2m offered to create technology to support Jersey's older people

£2 million is being offered to companies to develop tech solutions that support Jersey's ageing population.

The 'Care Tech Challenge' is part of the publicly-funded Impact Jersey programme.

The £20m fund launched last year and is being delivered by Digital Jersey.  The cash was ring-fenced to fund technologies that support economic, environmental and community aims and address some of the island's biggest challenges.

This latest programme, which will open for grant applications this summer, is for innovators who can develop tech tools that could support and address the health, independence and safety of Jersey's increasing population of older people.

It's predicted that the number of islanders aged 65 and above will increase by 58% within the next 25 years. 

2029 projections also suggest the cost of caring for Jersey's older citizens will outstrip the government's Long Term Care income. 

Therefore, finding new solutions to support people getting older in the island is a key priority the government wants to invest in.

READ MORE: The Steps Needed To Save Ageing Economy

Applicants will need to demonstrate that their developing technologies can: 

• reduce hospitalisations
• help people to live independently in their homes for longer
• stay connected to communities for longer
• showcase a proactive and preventative community care model
• improve the lives of older people and their carers. 

READ MORE: Dementia And Heart Failure Rates To Soar

Kirsten Morel, Minister for Sustainable Economic Development shared his hopes for the project: 

"This is an exciting second programme for the Impact Jersey scheme that will creative positive change for the long-term future of islanders. 

"Impact Jersey is designed to help solve the biggest challenges we are facing as an island through digital technologies, and I am very much looking forward to seeing the innovative solutions that emerge from this challenge and the value they can add to our community."

Applications to the CareTech Challenge will be assessed by a panel of judges from the island and abroad. 

The programme will be officially launched this summer.