Interactive Report Maps Landscape of Technology for the Aging

The Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) today released an interactive version of their "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 http://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.

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 conclude 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," says Majd Alwan, 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 adds. "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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Newsweek: Alzheimer's and Caregivers

Newsweek Senior Editor Barbara Kantrowitz and Chicago correspondent Karen Springen report on the millions of baby boomers now caring for parents, and in some cases, spouses afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.

Of the 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's, an estimated 70 percent of them live at home, cared for by family. But the financial and emotional toll on these family members can often become overwhelming. To combat the devastating disease, a growing number of boomers are taking action by increasing public awareness and campaigning for increased research funding. It's estimated that by 2030, Alzheimer's will cost Medicare $400 billion, almost as much as the entire current Medicare budget.

In "A Guide for Caregivers," correspondent Joan Raymond reports on ways to handle the difficult task of being a caregiver to ailing parents. A good place to start is by preparing documents such as a health-care proxy, also called a health-care power of attorney and an advance directive, or a living will. This allows a person to specify medical care and life-support procedures they want.

And in "Insuring Your Future Care," Contributing Editor Jane Bryant Quinn reports on the new ways many baby boomers are looking to prepare for their later years and the different long-term-care options available. Quinn also explores the ways insurers are targeting boomers who might be willingto buy new designer forms of TLC coverage at a younger age.


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