Commenting on the technology that automatically detects falls and alerts caregivers which is now on trial, SMU Dean of Students; Director of Centre for Research on Successful Ageing and Professor of Sociology (Practice) Paulin Straughan suggested pairing seniors who are not so tech-savvy with those who are, and forging tie-ups with neighbouring schools to encourage students to regularly visit and offer seniors tech assistance. “Seniors with social support do very well. But if the support person is missing, tech becomes a burden,” said Prof Straughan. Even for telemedicine, seniors like to see a regular face such as a family physician online, she added.