How to Use Technology to Make Wellness Programs More Inclusive in Aging Care

As technology continues to evolve, it’s becoming an increasingly valuable tool in helping long-term care homes and aging care programs reach more residents in meaningful ways.

Tech-enabled participation is about embedding technology into your wellness and creative programming so that it becomes a bridge to connection, self-expression, and inclusion.

This is particularly important for residents who face barriers to participation, such as:

• Limited mobility

• Communication challenges

• Cognitive impairments

• Reduced social interaction

• Fatigue or memory loss

By using technology thoughtfully and intentionally, care providers can create more accessible, responsive, and engaging experiences that allow every resident to participate on their terms.

How Technology Supports Participation

Gone are the days when tech in aging care meant broadcasting a virtual event. Today’s approaches emphasize flexibility, personalization, and interactivity, helping residents feel empowered and included.

Here are some ways you can leverage technology to support participation:

1. Go Hybrid

Use tablets or smart TVs to stream live or pre-recorded sessions. Hybrid programs give residents multiple ways to engage, whether in a group or one-on-one in their rooms. This is especially valuable for residents who may not tolerate large groups or require flexible timing.

2. Use Assistive Technology

Voice-activated tools (like smart speakers), large-font apps, and adaptive devices can help residents with visual or motor impairments engage more independently. These tools also support residents living with dementia by offering more intuitive and non-intimidating interfaces.

3. Design for Inclusion

Choose platforms and content that are intuitive and culturally responsive. Avoid apps and programs that rely heavily on Western-centric imagery or complex navigation. Content should feel familiar and welcoming, and platforms should support residents with varying levels of digital literacy.

4. Encourage Co-Creation

Invite residents to contribute photos, stories, and playlists through simple tech tools. For example:

• Create a shared community playlist using a tablet or smart speaker

• Invite residents to capture photos during art walks

• Record personal stories for intergenerational sharing

When residents are invited to co-create, they feel a greater sense of ownership and engagement.

5. Enable Asynchronous Access

Record wellness programs and make them available for residents to access on their own time. This is especially helpful for residents dealing with fatigue, cognitive challenges, or those who prefer participating outside of structured group sessions.

Recommended Resources

To help you get started, here are some excellent tools and frameworks:

Tech Connect – AGE-WELL: A practical toolkit for care providers on integrating tablets, smart speakers, and other digital tools to enhance social connection and engagement.

Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) – Innovation Showcase: A showcase of vetted tech solutions supporting participation, cognition, and wellness in older adults, including virtual art programs and adaptive games.

Connected Canadians: Offers free 1:1 digital literacy support for older adults across Canada, empowering them to engage confidently with online wellness programming. Visit Connected Canadians

Technology in Dementia Care – Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC): Provides guidance on selecting and using technology to support residents living with dementia in respectful and enabling ways.

The Future of Tech-Enabled Participation

As the field of aging care continues to evolve, technology will play an ever more important role in helping us deliver personalized, culturally relevant, and inclusive programming. Thoughtful use of technology can help us reach residents who may otherwise feel isolated or left out and provide new pathways for creativity, joy, and meaningful engagement.

At MIYA Creative Care, we’re excited to see how tech-enabled participation will continue to enrich the lives of the older adults we serve.

Ready to explore creative care solutions for your team?

👉 Contact us today