Sharjah 24: A session titled "Sharjah as a Modern Age-Friendly City" was held at Al Jawaher Centre as part of the 13th edition of the Senior Citizens Services Forum, organised by the Department of Social Services in Sharjah in collaboration with the World Health Organisation. The event, themed "Artificial Intelligence in Service of the Elderly," featured prominent speakers discussing how their institutions and initiatives aim to improve the lives of the elderly through technology and artificial intelligence.
The session included contributions from First Lieutenant Ali Al Ghaithi of Sharjah Police, Dr Ali Bouzinjal from Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park, Asma Al Khodari, Director of the Sharjah Age-Friendly City Office, Asma Al Ali, a physiotherapy specialist from the Department of Social Services, and Dr Obaid Saleh Al Baloushi, President of the UAE Retirees Association.
First Lieutenant Ali Al Ghaithi from Sharjah Police emphasized the importance of smart security applications in improving elderly care, particularly home-monitoring systems that use data analysis tools to ensure safety. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration among security, technical, and social institutions to ensure seamless and secure services for seniors.
Dr Ali Bouzanjal from the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park spoke about the incorporation of AI in social services, emphasising its potential to enhance the quality of life for the elderly. The AI lab at the park is focused on creating systems that collect and analyse data, enabling service providers to make informed decisions and providing technological solutions specifically designed for seniors.
Asma Al Khodari, Director of the Sharjah Age-Friendly City Office, emphasised Sharjah's dedication to creating a nurturing environment for seniors. AI technologies oversee health and provide prompt medical alerts, enhancing both autonomy and security.
Al Khodari noted that Sharjah's initiatives to transform into an age-friendly city have established it as a worldwide benchmark for elder care, inspiring other nations to emulate its achievements.
Asma Al Ali, a physiotherapy specialist at Sharjah's Social Services Department, emphasised the significance of advanced technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), in enhancing physiotherapy for the elderly. AI facilitates tailored treatment plans by analysing individual health data, aiding in the identification of the most effective therapies and speeding up recovery. Al Ali highlighted the importance of AI-driven virtual reality programs that replicate daily activities, motivating seniors to participate more actively in physical exercises, thereby enhancing mobility and flexibility.
She observed that these advanced technologies greatly alleviate pain and improve treatment results, increasing patient satisfaction and autonomy. AI serves as a preventative tool, consistently monitoring the health of seniors and notifying medical staff when intervention is necessary, thereby ensuring timely care.
Dr Obaid Saleh Al Baloushi, President of the UAE Retirees Association, addressed AI programs designed to assist the elderly, emphasising their crucial contribution to enhancing quality of life. These technologies offer communication platforms that enable seniors to maintain social connections, even when family or friends are not present.
Al Baloushi stated that the association seeks to incorporate AI into everyday programs for retirees, promoting a holistic and nurturing atmosphere for their mental and social health. He highlighted that AI creates new opportunities for sustainable mental health care, improving social integration and overall long-term quality of life.
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