Study: Home automation a sound investment for people with disabilities, but more funding needed

Providing home automation for people with disabilities brings about substantial social benefits and represents a sound investment for funding agencies such as the NDIS, a new analysis has revealed.

Led by researchers at Flinders University's Caring Futures Institute, the analysis, published in the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, found the technology greatly improved independence and quality of life and reduced a reliance on caregivers, highlighting a compelling case to prioritize home automation in funding support decisions.

"Serious long-term injury or disability may impact on a person's ability to manage independently within their home, but home automation technology can help to control a number of household functions including opening and closing doors and blinds, operating heating and cooling and turning lights on and off," says lead author Dr. Claire Hutchinson from Flinders' College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

"Despite this, many people have difficulty obtaining approval for home automation through funding agencies, or they face lengthy delays, so we wanted to see if we could quantify their benefit."

The researchers calculated the social impact of the technology, putting forward monetary figures based on various scenarios of different levels of home automation support.

For the simplest scenario—installation of automation for heating and cooling, lights, blinds and television operation—the analysis found that for every $1 invested there was a social value of $38.80.

While the social return on investment decreased as the technology became more complicated, even the most complex scenario, involving automated doors, intercom and automated taps and showers, a $1 investment still returned $15.10 worth of social value.

"Even the most expensive systems provide enough social value to repay the investment within the first year," says Dr. Hutchinson.

One of the key savings identified in the analysis was the reduction in the need for caregiving hours, either by family members or professional caregivers.

"Home automation allows individuals to perform more tasks independently and this not only lowers the costs associated with care but also empowers people with disabilities to live more autonomous lives," says co-author Professor Kate Laver from Flinders' College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

The authors say the findings are significant for policymakers, health care providers, and funding bodies.

"Our study showed that by investing in home automation there are a number of tangible outcomes, not just the reduction in caregiver hours, but also improved mental health and well-being, increased social connections, increased dignity and improved physical and psychological safety," says Professor Laver.

"Focusing on the financial savings in care attendant hours alone should be compelling evidence for funders to recognize home automation's value.

"But even beyond that outcome, the benefits are clear and along with the potential to improve quality of life, our study provides clear economic justification to support continued funding and expansion of these assistive technologies."