The Shift Towards Preventative Healthcare in Australia’s Ageing Population
As Australia's demographic ages, those aged 65 and over will comprise roughly 16% of the population, but they will account for 45% of hospitalisations and 21% of emergency department presentations in 2021-2022. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that potentially preventable hospitalisations (PPHs) will represent 6.2% (778,000 cases) of all hospitalisations in 2023-2024. In 2021–2022, around 6,900 PPHs were reported for older Australians 65 and older, compared to 1,700 PPHs for younger adults.
Why Preventable Hospitalisations Matter in the Ageing Journey
People typically become more vulnerable to chronic illnesses, mobility problems, and sudden declines in health as they age, and PPHs have become a growing concern for several reasons:
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Older individuals may experience a functional decline, resulting in the loss of independence, a slower recovery time, and the need for long-term care.
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Families, especially adult children living apart from aging parents, have difficulty recognising early health changes from a distance.
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For aged care and health providers, these hospitalisations represent missed chances for early intervention and add pressure to already stretched systems.
Furthermore, many early warning signs are subtle, such as slight changes in sleep patterns, reduced movement, elevated resting heart rates, or a drop in oxygen levels.
Wearables as Proactive Health Tools: Introducing Yeyro Ring
By monitoring key health indicators that often precede hospitalisation, Yeyro Ring empowers older adults and their families to stay informed and connected through real-time health insights.
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Heart rate tracking: Detects irregularities that may signal cardiovascular stress or early signs of illness.
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Body temperature: Subtle temperature shifts can reflect infections, inflammation, or autonomic imbalances-especially critical in frail or immunocompromised seniors.
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Blood oxygenation (SpO₂): Low oxygen saturation is often an early indicator of respiratory distress, sleep apnoea, or COVID-related complications.
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Sleep tracking: Poor sleep is linked to cognitive decline, frailty, and chronic disease progression. Yeyro passively captures sleep quality and disruptions.
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24/7 activity tracking: Real-time monitoring of movement patterns can help identify physical decline or increasing fall risk.
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Step tracking: Consistent step count data helps detect functional changes and promotes physical activity goals.
The Future of Preventative Care: In integration with AI and Healthcare Providers
Wearables with artificial intelligence capabilities such as the Yeyro Ring are emerging as critical tools as Australia transitions toward a preventative and person-centred healthcare model. Rather than simply recording raw health data, Yeyro utilises artificial intelligence to provide meaningful, personalised insights based on trends in activity, sleep, heart rate, and other biometrics. Users and caregivers can utilise these insights to make informed decisions without relying on medical interpretation. By converting passive monitoring into actionable guidance, Yeyro enhances health literacy and supports early intervention—while maintaining the user’s dignity and autonomy. It is anticipated that integration with clinical systems and digital health platforms will enable healthcare providers to share such insights, thereby aligning wearable technologies with broader public health strategies to reduce preventable hospitalisations.