CES Notably light on Tech Gear for Seniors

A few gadgets aimed at seniors are worth noting

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?

Media Coverage on Remote Monitoring for Seniors Lacks Substance

Enough already!

Clearly, free buzz is the best marketing any tech vendor can get—and it is good to raise consumer awareness about a market category with fewer than 10,000 deployed units (a sum of the installed base, as described to me by vendors). Overall, these stories have been superficial: Hey, these are news stories, after all. They briefly mentioned a randomly selected set of tech vendors and perhaps whetted the appetite of consumers to consider their use. Never mind that numerous barriers and constraints have, to date, limited adoption of remote home activity monitoring because of issues with pricing, reimbursement expectations, a well-established set of product capability and features, and a well-developed distribution model.

After the Genetic Marker Test, Living to 100 Had Better Be Better

Can we get the care we want?

Line up to learn your longevity likelihood: Aren't you just loving the opportunity we will soon have to download that free genetic marker test kit, the one that with 77% accuracy will tell whether we will live past 100? Boston University scientists have “no plans to profit” from the results, but they will make the kit available later this summer. (Warning: analysis of the results will be costly.)

Under the Radar: The A-Plus Senior Computer

Despite the hype, the iPad may not be best for seniors

Over the past few years, several attempts at creating a “senior” computer have been made, including a pricey senior PC partnership between HP and Microsoft and the thin-client GO Computer from MyGait (sold through FirstSTREET), which is not extensible—what you get is what you get, and as a few frustrated comments on the blog post indicate, it's not to everyone's liking when it is time to add devices or additional software.

Tech Tides Turning for Boomers and Beyond?

Let's hope so!

Yo, non–iPad swipers: next, a gazillion options for boomers. Apple's transformative this-ain't-no-computer iPad launch sent a message that I bet will be heard loud and clear by vendors. While 88% of baby boomers surveyed by AARP have no plans to buy an iPad, they may start looking around for something to replace those desktops (57% of surveyed boomers, according to AARP). Expect Dell, HP, Acer, et al. to offer a plethora of beautiful tablets at low prices. And maybe they'll want low-priced software like PointerWare or InTouchLink layered onto one of these, which, if combined with the Microsoft Guide, would actually get us to the point (no pun intended) where PCs can be used by ordinary people.

New and Notable Tech Offerings

With a note on geriatric care managers and Skype

What the iPad Means for Boomer and Senior Markets

Can a product be any easier to use?

A video from a blog comment really got my attention: watch this 99-year-old woman as she is shown the iPad and how to read a book on it. Do you think she cares about its limitations? But would she have learned about the device if someone hadn't shown it to her and how to use it? Do you think she cares whether it's called a computer, a tablet, or a giant iPhone? She crossed a "digital divide" without looking up at the camera or theorizing about the significance of what she was doing.

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.