CES Notably light on Tech Gear for Seniors

A few gadgets aimed at seniors are worth noting

Will Technology Cut the Cost of Assisted Living?

It may also offer seniors more one-on-one care.

The Outrageous Cost of Assisted Living

Rising more than 5 percent last year alone.

Excuses, Excuses: Overcoming Barriers to the Adoption of Aging-in-Place Technology

What's the holdup?

Geriatric care managers are cautious and waiting. Last week I spoke about technology for aging in place to a room full of New England geriatric care managers (and a few home care agencies and senior housing folks as well). When I talked about technology, particularly remote monitoring, filling the gap in hours covered by home care aides, they enthusiastically nodded in agreement. But when I ask if any are using this technology, I heard about interest, curiosity, upcoming pilot programs (no vendors picked yet), and the like. Ditto with the home care agencies represented in the exhibit area. I didn't hear about confident or near-term likelihood of advocacy of a specific product.

Boomers, Seniors, and Tech

Is this really the best of times?

I thought that the excitement of the first boomers turning 65 in January would have waited a few weeks closer to January, but silly me. So one boomer will turn 65 every eight seconds starting in January. Is it the beginning of one of society's great tragic periods—too few jobs, dwindling public funds for safety nets, declining health, and a fundamental recasting of the societal dependency ratio? Or will it be the beginning of a long and joyous "senior boomer" or "booming senior" marketing marathon that rises and then slowly ebbs over 30 or 40 years, when the 46-year-olds run out of money and steam?

Indifference to Aging in Car, Phone, Travel, and Packaging Design

Companies must consider the needs of an aging population

You've seen the driver—too short to see over the wheel, too timid to change lanes safely, maybe taking multiple chronic disease medications—and still driving. In 15 years, one of five drivers will be 65 or older. "The result is a 'mobility gap,'" according to Joseph Coughlin, head of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's AgeLab, which develops technologies aimed at keeping older people active.

Whither the Wii for Older Adults

And other Kinect conundrums

Aging in Place Tech News for October 2010

The cost of long-term care will trend upward

Is Microhousing a Viable Alternative to Aging Poorly in Place?

An idea whose time has come?

Aging in place may not be for everyone, as the University of Florida's Stephen Golant noted: 48% of seniors spend more than half their income on housing, and 14% of those age 75+ still have mortgages. Separated by distance from adult children, perhaps they suffer from isolation, poor health, and other downsides that Dr. Golant spells out in some detail. He recommends that moving from one's home need not be viewed as a tragedy, suggesting options like naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) or village approaches for shared services, moving in with family members, or moving to a smaller home or condo.

Why Isn't Tech More Appealing?

People are people, not patients

Next week I am going to Connected Health in Boston, where I will no doubt walk up and down aisles filled with medication management systems, chronic disease devices, and every type of tech to help doctors do a better job of caring for their patients—and presumably to help patients take better care of themselves.