Climate Change, Health, and Aging

Die Hände einer älteren Dame halten eine kleine Weltkugel
Foto: AdobeStock

Climate Change Meets an Aging Society

Climate change and demographic change are among the greatest societal challenges of our time. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and changing environmental conditions are having an increasing impact on health, care, and quality of life—especially for older adults.

The Institute for Health, Aging, Work, and Technology conducts research on how society, care systems, and technologies can be adapted to these changes. The goal is to protect health, strengthen resilience, and create sustainable living and working conditions for older adults.

Why This Topic Is Important

Climate change is not only an environmental challenge, but increasingly a health and social challenge.

  • Older adults are particularly vulnerable to heat, environmental stressors, and extreme weather events.
  • At the same time, the proportion of older adults in Europe is steadily increasing.
  • Healthcare systems and long-term care must adapt to both of these developments simultaneously.

The intersection of climate change, health, and aging is therefore becoming a key issue for the future for local governments, healthcare providers, and policymakers. Research is needed to develop preventive strategies and reduce health risks at an early stage.

Projects at GAT

Cobot²
In the Cobot² research project, the HSZG institutes ZIRKON, IPM, and GAT are developing a system using collaborative robots (cobots) designed to reduce the workload of nursing staff in hospitals and nursing homes. The robots perform support tasks such as safely collecting, analyzing, and sorting medical waste, thereby reducing the risk of injury and freeing up more time for direct, person-centered care. At the same time, the goal is to recycle more materials in inpatient care facilities and integrate them into a circular economy, which conserves resources and can reduce costs in the long term. The project is investigating how these processes can be most effectively integrated into everyday care practices on the ward without placing an additional burden on nursing staff. To this end, the perspectives, needs, and requirements of nursing staff regarding such a system are being incorporated into the development process.
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