The state of Upper Austria is responding to the demographic challenges in care and support with the Care Technology Fund. As part of the skilled nursing staff strategy of the Upper Austrian Department of Social Affairs, the Upper Austrian Association of Municipalities and the Upper Austrian Association of Cities, the expansion of innovation and digitalization is to be implemented, among other things. The Upper Austrian Care Technology Fund strengthens the introduction of digital innovation in the care and support of older people.

Care is not just an organizational and financial challenge for municipalities. The further development of modern technology, which supports professionals and makes their everyday work much easier, must also be promoted. If administrative and additional tasks can be reduced, there will be more time available for interpersonal relationships. The implementation of such projects should now be made much easier with the launch of the care technology fund, thereby giving our care facilities and social associations more resources for care and support through innovation and digitalization.

-Mayor Christian Mader, President of the Upper Austrian Association of Municipalities

‍

2 million euros for cooperation between care and industry/research

The aim of the fund is to take advantage of the opportunities offered by digitalization and technology and to support and relieve the burden on employees in care and nursing as well as caregiving relatives through technical assistance systems. A total of two million euros will be awarded in two funding rounds in 2024. The submission deadline for the first funding call in 2024 runs from 1.1. to 30.4.2024. Funding will be provided for cooperation partnerships between social institutions or care facilities and innovators from industry or research. The aim is to enable the use of digital care and support technologies that specifically serve to make the work of employees or caregiving relatives easier and thus provide digitalized support in the care and support of people in need of care. An advisory board with representatives from the social sector, business and research will decide on the projects to be funded.

Upper Austrian care technology pitch gives go-ahead for collaborations

At the "Care Technology Pitch", the Care Technology Fund will be presented in more detail. On the other hand, innovative companies and start-ups present their developments for elderly care in short pitches. This offers care facilities and companies the opportunity to build the partnerships between geriatric care, business and science that are necessary for a submission to the Care Technology Fund and for the sustainable establishment of innovative solutions. At the first pitch on 22 November 2023, voize presented how documentation can be easily recorded on a smartphone, significantly reducing the burden on carers.