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.

 Read More >>

Another Week, More Caregiving App Vendors

Adding to the “circle of care”

In a nontravel week, I have more time to speak to vendors, both prelaunch and launched. Here are three launched to add to the list of tech vendors to support caregiving (or "circle of care" as it is sometimes described). None require any specialized equipment or device in the home. And no doubt each would welcome your contacting them to learn more about their offerings.

 Read More >>

Quality-of-Life Improvements for Seniors

Small, low tech

After reading this week about the Senate Aging in Place testimony and recommendations (see in-depth description from Intel's Eric Dishman), it's discouraging to read about the major barriers to adoption of "e-Care." So it's a pleasure to talk about a few cheap, low-tech, big-benefit ways to improve seniors' quality of life as we come into those two Hallmark seasonal events—Mother's Day and Father's Day. The seniors you help, of course, don't have to be relatives. They could be neighbors, members of a community, or visitors to a local senior center.

 Read More >>

The Myth of a PC-Free Life for Boomers and Seniors

Are seniors largely cut out of the digital picture?

A Pew Research late-2009 survey update indicates that broadband adoption and Internet use by those age 65+ is dropping year over year: 38% use the Internet, 26% have broadband (down from 30%), only 16% have wireless access via a laptop or device. Why, and what this means, that's for another day. Read More >>

Cell Phones for Seniors

More features, fewer features, or smarter features?

Let's look at a Japanese cell phone feature list and wonder why no US manufacturer or distributor has duplicated the features of the Fujitsu Raku-Raku (Simple to Use) phone. Read More >>

Should Grandma Help Finance Cell Phones for the Grandkids?

Emerging issues related to cell phones

Dear Ellie:

My grandkids are at the stage of wanting cell phones. They are ages 12, 10, and 8. It seems that, nowadays, even kids in elementary school do not use the telephone to talk to each other, but they text each other all day long. In some schools, there are inadequate rules and controls over their texting in class.

My daughter and son-in-law are asking me to help support the cost of cell phones with texting capability for their kids. They claim that they want to be able to call or text the three kids to find out where they are, when they are coming home, and if they are safe. I am worried that giving the kids these devices will just add another diversion and cost to their upkeep. What should I do? Read More >>