What if a simple change in daily habits could be your first warning sign?
For older Australians and New Zealanders living independently, it often is. And now, there’s a smarter way to spot it early.
Thanks to a collaboration between the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Talius Group, home care providers now have a powerful new way to track wellbeing in the home. It’s called Objective Activities of Daily Living (OADL).
Rather than waiting for something to go wrong, OADL uses discreet in-home sensors to monitor how someone is moving, eating, dressing and more — all without cameras or wearable devices. The system then analyses this data to detect any major changes in routine that might signal a potential health issue.
Why OADL Matters
Many older Australians and New Zealanders prefer to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. But as health conditions develop, the earliest signs are often small changes in daily routines. Skipping meals, sleeping more than usual, spending more time on the toilet, or moving around less can be early signs of concern.
OADL daily and weekly reports flag these changes early, prompting timely support.
Here’s how it works:
- The Care@Home alarm is installed in a central location and the resident is provided a wearable help button
- Activity sensors are placed in key areas of the home, such as the bedroom, kitchen, living areas and bathroom.
- Over the first month, the system learns what’s “normal” for each individual.
- After that, it scores daily activity and highlights any changes using an easy-to-read colour system:
- Green means all is well
- Amber suggests something may be off
- Red signals a high-risk change in activity
Providers can check the dashboard and follow up with the client, adjust services or alert a family member or GP if needed.
What the System Tracks
OADL focuses on five essential daily activities:
- Transfer – Moving from bed to chair, or room to room
- Mobility – Walking and general movement throughout the home
- Meals – Use of the kitchen/dining area and fridge, indicating regular eating
- Dressing – Wardrobe or drawer use, reflecting clothing changes
- Hygiene – Bathroom visits and grooming activity
Each of these areas is monitored and scored based on how closely the person’s behaviour matches their usual (baselined) pattern.
Spotting Health Issues Early
Imagine this situation.
Mae, a 79-year-old living alone, usually has a score of 8 out of 9. But over a few days, the system notices she’s staying in bed longer, visiting the toilet more often, and not going near the kitchen.
Her daily score drops to 2.
Thanks to the alert, her care provider checks in. It turns out Mae has a urinary tract infection. Left unnoticed, it could have led to confusion, a fall, or hospitalisation. But because of the early signal, she gets help quickly and avoids serious complications.
Who Is It For?
The Talius OADL system is ideal for people who may not always be able to speak up when something changes in their health. It’s especially useful for:
- Older individuals or couples living alone, particularly those with limited or no family support
- People with chronic health conditions such as asthma, emphysema, or early-stage dementia, where small changes can signal bigger risks
- Patients recently discharged from hospital, recovering from surgery or injury, including hip replacements or heart procedures
Better Data. Smarter Care.
OADL isn’t about replacing human care. It’s about giving carers better information so they can make faster, more informed decisions. It helps providers:
- Catch early signs of illness
- Reduce preventable hospital visits
- Tailor support to the person’s actual needs
The Care@Home alarm is also backed by a 24/7 emergency response monitoring service, so help in an emergency is always just a call away.
With aged care services under pressure, tools like OADL provide real-time visibility and peace of mind — for providers, families and most importantly, for the people receiving care.
Want to See OADL in Action?
Let’s take aged care from reactive to proactive and help more Australians and New Zealanders live well at home, for longer.
Talk to a Talius Representative and book a demo now.