Interactive report maps out useful technology for the aging
13 January 2009
The US Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) has released an
interactive version of its State of Technology in Aging Services
Report that lays out the categories of technologies that exist and
are under development to meet the needs of aging consumers and
highlights what companies are doing to serve this growing market
segment.
This version, which can be found online at www.agingtech.org, builds
on the March 2008 publication, The State of Technology in Aging
Services, and includes links to the numerous corporations,
universities and aging-services providers who are advancing technologies
that can help older people stay healthy and independent longer. The
types of technology include:
- sensors which can detect and notify a caregiver if a person is
- potentially unsafe (e.g. have fallen, did not get out of his
chair or turn off the stove;
- health technologies that monitor blood pressure, respiration and
other conditions in real time while the person is at home. This
reduces the need for doctor's visits and notifying caregivers
immediately of significant changes;
- medication dispensers that provide the appropriate
medicines at the appropriate time and remind a person to take them;
and
- computer games that provide social networking, promote
brain
stimulation and even use diagnostic games to monitor a person's
cognitive abilities.
The report also includes interviews with expert researchers, who
concluded that factors ranging from interconnectivity between different
systems to usability, affordability and the availability of technical
support and training will determine how widespread these technologies
will become.
"Older consumers are becoming increasingly more interested in
technology and small and large corporations are working to meet this
demand," said Majd Alwan, PhD, director of CAST. "Our study shows that
we can create a network of technology-driven services to help people
stay at home and achieve better outcomes at the same time.
"Aging-services providers are partnering with technology companies to
provide comprehensive service packages," Alwan continued. "Consumers
should be as aware of these options as they are aware of their cell
phone plans or cable television offerings."
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