The UK's population is ageing - and it's creating fresh challenges for politicians, local authorities and families alike.

The Office for National Statistics predicts that almost a quarter of Brits will be over 65 by 2042. As Baby Boomers reach retirement and medical breakthroughs drive longevity, the number of people with complex needs linked with older age - like dementia and disabilities - could skyrocket.

When approaching your golden years, you'll often wish to keep your independence for as long as possible. According to 2014 research from One Poll, a huge 97% of people would prefer to shun residential care. 

Fortunately, tech is creating new ways to enhance the quality of life in later years by engineering independence - which is linked to better self-esteem and a slower decline in old age.

Memory-boosting digital hubs

Mental decline poses a significant threat to the ageing population. Already, 850,000 Brits suffer from dementia - and this number is set to increase.

Digital memory aids - such as automated pill dispensers and the Memo Minder from Solon Security - can help people with memory problems to continue going about their routines for longer.

What's more, tech is also helping to streamline the process of treating patient hubs. Startup I Am Me is a new service designed to digitise dementia care. Its founder, Eddy Ku, says it's all about storing key data in one place.

"Too often we see patients not receiving the best care due to mismatched documents going between family, care providers and doctors," he said. 

I Am Me is driving the next generation of care document sharing, from health history to important details for adults with memory issues - including their history, likes, dislikes and anxiety trigger points.

"We plan to enhance patient-centered care in the UK, one step at a time, one document at a time, all for free," said Eddy.

Vehicle telematics 

Ever since Prince Philip's infamous car crash last January, conversations around the safety of driving as a senior have reignited. As we grow older, our brain reaction time gets slower. We may also develop sight impairments, memory problems and high-risk health conditions that can add to the danger of getting behind the wheel.

At the same time, many years of experience can make elders better drivers, so it is difficult to know when to hang up the car keys for good. This dilemma is exacerbated by DVLA rules which place the responsibility to report conditions on drivers and their families - leading to tense conversations up and down the country.

Now, tracking devices can help older drivers to prove their skills are still razor-sharp. Black box insurance may be popular with 17-year-olds, but it's also becoming a hit with the over-65s.

The telematics insurance specialists at WiseDriving have said their products can help older drivers to save money and iron out any bad habits.

Brand owner, Matt Crane, said: "Many people associate black box insurance with teens, but the data from a telematics device can also help over-65s to improve their driving.

"The great thing about telematics insurance is that it helps people to understand their driving habits. With the driving score, you can see how well you're driving every day - it's like a second pair of eyes. This can help to keep people driving for as long as possible.

"Older adults tend to be sensible road users, so this technology can often help them save money and build confidence," he said.

What's more, telematics trackers detect significant crashes straight away. In the event of a forceful collision, providers will often try to contact the policyholder to check they are okay - offering peace of mind to family members.

Remote emergency support

Independence isn't just about living in your own home and driving a car - it's also about having the freedom to run errands solo. For elders with complex conditions, the fear of an emergency situation can really knock confidence.

Luckily, personal alarms can help people with complex needs to stay in their homes for longer. Companies like Lifeline 24 have long offered necklace alarms connected to 24-hour support, but now the process has become automated by the latest Apple Watch.

The technology helped one Washington-based man to save his father's life when it detected a hard fall in a remote location.

"Dad flipped his bike at the bottom of Doomsday, hit his head and was knocked out until sometime during the ambulance ride," Gabe Burdett revealed in a post. 

"The watch had called 911 with his location," Gabe said, meaning his father arrived at hospital within half an hour.

The potential for monitoring trips and slips among the elderly is enormous and could help thousands of older people to stay safe in their own homes for longer.

Robotic rehabilitation

Knocks, bumps and falls can be detected more efficiently than ever - but after an injury, the rehab needs can still be extensive. Luckily, robotics and virtual reality may be able to offer a helping hand. 

Shin-tomi nursing home in Japan has recruited more than 20 robots to help with care work. Even more promisingly, Neuro Rehab VR is helping people to improve balance and coordination after brain injuries such as stroke. 

This breakthrough therapy is so impressive because it works remotely - so it has the potential to give older people the independence they often crave.

From trackers to immersive technologies, the Internet of Things looks set to revolutionise the way we think about independence in later life.