Faced with an aging population, the country has been forced to consider innovative caregiving methods to meet the demands of our older adult population. Technology is taking center stage in this effort, with manufacturers finding creative ways of supporting the activities of daily living through Internet of Things (IoT) enabled devices.
Recently, Fast Company profiled a number of organizations seeking to provide older adults with the technology necessary to safely pursue aging in place. These included Lively, a manufacturer of high-tech gadgets for older adults. Lively uses a combination of sensors and a wearable smartwatch to monitor the activity of care recipients.
According to the source, the United States currently spends $300 billion each year on health care. As the average age rises, the health care industry has switched its focus to what is now known as the "longevity economy." This represents an estimated $20 billion market to support independent living for seniors.
The industry consists of more than just device manufacturers. Arnie Whitman is a partner in Generator Ventures, an organization that provides older adults' feedback on new devices to manufacturers. Whitman spoke with Fast Company about some of the important considerations for success in this market.
"People in this space need to have a real passion," Whitman explained. "And that's really important because a lot of these issues are human issues. It's not just about launching a technology or putting out an app."
Passion for meeting the needs of care recipients has driven Independa's product design since our inception. Our solutions are designed to be intuitive, easy-to-use and allow a centralized view into all functionality. The Angela™ software interface offers an exciting and enjoyable solution for older adults to avoid the most pressing issue involved in the decision to pursue aging in place: social isolation.
Through interacting with Angela™ on an LG television, older adults enjoy non-stigmatizing access to important appointment reminders, integrated health information, video chat, games and more. Angela™ requires no prior training or technical experience to operate, and features larger screen fonts, higher contrast and brighter colors geared to the needs of the aging population.
Independa's solutions can also be integrated with advanced sensors and IoT-enabled devices, creating a full-scale wellness solution with a centralized hub that caregivers can easily access. The Caregiver Dashboard helps give both family members and professional caregivers peace of mind. Integrated alerts associated with wireless health devices and home sensors can be monitored through any internet capable device. Contact us today through our online form to learn more or schedule a demo.
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