Reflecting on a great AgeingFit Conference in Lille, France 10-11 March! The convergence of five European nationalities in my panel discussion as a moderator added an extra dimension to the event. I extend my sincere gratitude to leaders and experts Guillaume Gogué-Meunier, Sascha Saßen, Hussain Al-Zubaidi and Geert Houben for their insightful and honest presentations. They sparked thought-provoking discussions on barriers and solutions for the successful implementation of health technologies in care settings – seen from the industry & technology provider’s point of view. During our 1.5-hour panel session, we uncovered many aspects and several insights (some well known, but still a challenge across Europe):
🔔 The critical importance of robust WiFi infrastructure for sustainable IT support solutions in nursing homes and similar settings.
🔔 The necessity of having technology ambassadors who champion the adoption of innovative solutions.
🔔 The transformative potential of design thinking, exemplified by immersing oneself in an elderly care home for an extended period of time to gain profound insights into the daily life of the elderly. And from there be able to bridge the gap between technology solutions, staff, and residents.
🔔 The recurring theme of placing the user at the center of all initiatives.
🔔 The pivotal role of leadership providing strategy, time and resources in driving successful implementation efforts (underrated!).
Personal reflection: It is always a great experience to reconnect with the French language, thinking happily back to my early career days when I was an export manager with France as a key sales destination. If you are considering expanding into healthcare markets, I welcome the opportunity to connect and share insights.
