Recently, there has been a surge in the ‘aging’ population of America as more than 10,000 adults are turning 65 each year. It is expected that by the year 2060, 1 in 4 Americans—or approximately 98.2 million people—will be 65 years or older. The good news is that the technology industry is stepping up to the challenge to provide innovative solutions for the elderly.
For bright, young, dynamic techies based in the Silicon Valley, it can be hard to imagine what it feels like to be an elderly. Yet, they must come up with innovative solutions and design assistive devices that can make the lives of the elderly both safe and comfortable. Let there be no doubt—technology can solve most of the problems of the older population.
Over the last two decades, technology has come a long way and today it is opening many doors for the elderly. For example, the internet is making the world a ‘less lonely’ place for the older population. While technology cannot replace in-person interactions with people, internet-based communication platforms such as Skype, Facebook, and other video chatting and social networking sites are helping to keep senior social when visits to friends or relative are infrequent or not possible.
In addition to the internet, there’s health and mobility technology that is making the elderly more mobile and safe than ever. Surveys reveal that most seniors would rather stay indoors than be over out and about. This preference for staying home most of the times could have been a problem if we did not have the technological solutions that make it safer for the elderly to stay at home alone. An example of these solutions is a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS). A Wearable device, PERS enables the elderly to get help with a simple push of a button.
With a PERS, not only do the seniors stay safe at home, but their families also have peace of mind knowing that if an emergency occurs, the PERS would send an alert for help. There are many seniors in America who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. For these seniors, safety is a paramount concern, especially when they start to wander. The good news is that there are many GPS tracking devices that can track the location of a senior and send alter to ensure peace of mind for caregivers and prevent dangerous or deadly situations for the elderly.
PERS and GPS tracking devices are not the technologies making the lives of seniors safer and more convenient. There are also smartphone apps that can help prevent medication errors, and cloud-based health tracking systems that simplify the process of maintaining and accessing seniors’ health information.
4 Innovative Technologies for the Elderly
Today, a significant portion of the U.S ‘aging’ population uses modern technology. This usage of technology is not limited to the use of the internet or smartphones. Instead, it includes technology for mobility, health monitoring, and more. Today, technologies providers are launching innovative devices for the elderly each day. In line with this trend, innovative technologies for the elderly were launched at the CES 2018. Here are our top picks from the event:
Inoxia Portable Alexa Speaker
A battery powered speaker with embedded Alexa, the Inoxia Portable Alexa Speaker features voice control and has internet radio, connected message board, and hands-free speakerphone all rolled into one. With this device, the elderly can use Alexa Voice service to control smart home devices, set alarms, get information, play music, and do a whole host of other things using just their voice. All the elderly need to say is ‘Alexa’ and the device will respond instantly.
Lenovo Smart Display
While it is Intended as the competition for Echo Show, the Lenovo Smart Display has a completely different interface design. While the display is larger and bolder, it doesn’t have the ultra-detail that get from Google Assistant on a phone. The purpose of this is to keep things simple and keep your hands off the device. However, Lenovo Smart Display has a perfectly usable touchscreen which makes it easier to make calls, play music, and recognize different voices.
MobileHelp and Samsung GearWatch
MobileHelp—a manufacturer of home and wearable alert devices, announced at the CES 2018 that it was partnering with Samsung to equip Gear smartwatches with its emergency response capabilities. The devices go by the name MobileHelp Smart, and they can integrate the platform of MobileHelp into an upgraded version of Samsung’s watch to take advantage of the former’s GPS, cell capabilities, and fitness-monitoring features.
ADT Health
The stylish Samsung Gear S2 and S3 Gear smartwatches will now offer connectivity, wellness data, and a personal emergency response system (PERS) professionally monitored by ADT, all thanks to ADT, Reemo Health and Samsung joining hands. Users no longer have to worry about the stigma typically associated with wristbands and pendants instead they can wear their PERS device proudly and with confidence of knowing that help is only a simple tap away.
A simple tap on the device activates a two-way voice assistance that connects users with a trained ADT agent directly from the device’s speaker. In addition to this, the two Gear smartwatches can monitor fitness trends which includes hear rate and steps, which motivates seniors to stay active. Thanks to the collaboration between ADT, Reemo Health and Samsung, senior can get help from ADT, while the families and caregivers of the elderly get peace of mind and better visibility to the elderly’s health. All this allows older people to maintain an independent lifestyle, and actively manage their own wellness.
There are many more innovative technologies for older adults today.
And remember: Listen to your elders advice, not because they are always right, but because they have more experiences of being wrong. Knowledge is power. 🙂
by Bobby J Davidson
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