The 5th International Carers Convention was held in July in Leeds, UK, with delegates from every continent sharing their knowledge. I presented on a global initiative to bring a human rights perspective to caregiving, but more on that another time. For now, I'd like to share some of the major conference themes and messages.

The conference was divided into four streams: employment, social care and wellbeing, funding and legal support, and design and technology. The Princess Royal gave the opening address and the British Secretary of State for Health gave the keynote address, demonstrating the importance of this issue to the government and people of the UK. This was confirmed by the quality of delegates from around the world, and what follows is an outline of some of the big messages that this conference delivered.

First of all, we meaning countries around the world are trying to fix modern-day problems with antiquated systems. The health care system is top of the list. The demographic challenges of ageing populations combined and rapidly advancing medical technology are colliding with inflated expectations and spiraling costs. Old systems are cracking under the pressure, whether we examine the Nordic system of high tax and comprehensive services, the solely individual responsibility as exists in India and other countries, or a combination of overburdened systems and individuals that we have in Bermuda.

Secondly, caring or caregiving is seen as a problem of health (or lack thereof) and has been firmly lodged within the domain of the health care system. This is a narrow focus that hampers creative thinking and encourages the 'band-aid' approach to problem solving. We need to look at cultural norms, technology, legislation, policy, services and education outside the domain of health to see how they can fit into a comprehensive plan going forward.

Thirdly, caregiving has divided our populations into two distinct and unequal camps. One camp is made up of individuals who draw the long straw. They have no caregiving responsibilities. They are free to work, take vacations, take part in leisure activities, and generally enjoy life. The other camp is made up those who draw the short straw of caring for family members and friends. For them, leisure, vacations, and even enough sleep are luxuries not to be taken for granted when caring for an elderly or disabled relative or friend.

Fourthly and this is where the conference excelled entrepreneurs in the combined fields of design and technology are seeing the enormous potential in designing systems for both the elderly and infirm as well as those who care for them. The "Intelligent Home" was on display with every imaginable type of aide, as were online medical tracking systems.

One system in particular allows medical professionals to track the vital signs of patients via a link through that piece of equipment that is present in every home if not every room – the television. Medical professionals and family are alerted to any changes before a crisis develops, costs can be contained, and a sense of security will be heightened. Will this be a challenge to implement? No doubt, but somewhere, somehow, we have to think outside the current box of inadequate services and spiraling costs.

Finally, by bringing together the four streams of the conference employment, social care and wellbeing, funding and legal support, and technology we can take caregiving into this century as a mainstream driver of our economies. There are opportunities for rebuilding our economies and our workforces through education and training, health and social support services, creative design for cities, homes, recreation spaces and public buildings, and technology in general.

In closing, let me ask you to imagine India. This is a country of more than a billion with millions of elderly, sick, frail and disabled. They do not have cultural or health support structures in place for a rapidly ageing population of monumental proportions. They do, however, have a technologically savvy workforce and there are indications that they will leapfrog over the now over-burdened systems of the western world into solutions for the new millennium.

Our job is to look ahead, not backwards, for solutions to modern-day problems, and the ageing of our population presents as many opportunities as it does challenges.

Marian Sherratt is President of SORCOS, a social research and consulting firm. She writes on issues concerning our ageing population each month in The Royal Gazette. Send e-mail responses to m.sherratt@sorcos.com">m.sherratt@sorcos.com.