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Producing technologies that help seniors live better lives at home has resulted in a $2 billion a year industry — expected to rise to $30 billion by 2030. With more than 90% of seniors wishing to remain in their homes as long as possible, it’s no wonder markets have seized the opportunity. And the results are already looking good.
Here are five of the top technologies changing the way people think about aging at home.
Virtual reality technologies have been getting major buzz in the tech community, including some created entirely for seniors.
Rendever, a Boston-based virtual reality company, is winning awards for its gadgets that have the potential to vastly improve the lives of isolated seniors living alone or in assisted living facilities. The technology uses algorithms to take people on a virtual adventure, such as a trip through the streets of Paris, or a sunset on the shores of Oahu. It works through a headset that projects sounds and images in a 360 degree view.
For people stuck in their homes with little social interaction (such as for some dementia patients), this technology could help stimulate the brain and slow the effects of mental deterioration. It even has the potential to create a virtual reality experience based on family events for seniors who cannot attend.
Virtual reality technologies for seniors are still mostly in the development stage, but if they can really do what they are promising, the possibilities for mainstream use are endless.
New internet-connected medication managers are making it simpler and safer for seniors to take their meds. Devices like MedMinder are bringing daily pill dispensers into the 21st century with new features like auto-locked compartments that won’t open until pill time and notification systems that alerts caregivers if the user forgets to take a dose.
Simpler models skip some of the high-tech components but still incorporate helpful tools, like talking alarms when you’ve missed your pill time. Although these devices are loaded with modern features, their easy-to-use designs have the potential benefit even amateur technology users.
Ride-sharing apps such as Uber or Lyft have been disrupting the transportation industry for years, but until recently seniors have mostly been left out of the millennial-focused trend.
A new company playfully named GoGoGrandparent has been hoping to change that. GoGoGrandparent makes it possible for a person to call a ride from a ride-sharing business using a landline, eliminating the need to download and request on an app. As an added safety feature, the system can send text message updates to family members or caregivers about the status of the ride.
For seniors who cannot drive on their own but can’t afford pricier cab services, GoGoGrandparent could prove itself to be a safe and affordable alternative.
A new gadget called TV Ears can help keep you from turning up the TV volume loud enough to wake the neighborhood. The idea is simple: the device connects to the TV and transmits the sound into a wearable headset that is customizable for your personal needs. Turn it up as loud as you want without disturbing anyone around you.
Beyond TV headsets, scientists are making some exciting advancements in hearing technology that could make hearing loss less of a burden for millions of seniors every year. Many of the promising new techniques (such as more advanced models of the cochlear implant) are still experimental, but hopefully it doesn’t take too long for this advanced technology to make its way to mainstream use.
Sensors and wearable devices can discreetly and constantly monitor your health by keeping tabs on things such as your sleep cycles, blood pressure and heart rate without you ever having to worry about checking them yourself.
There is a whole range of portable technology that can be hooked up to a smartphone to monitor your health. Some are more advanced than others, but options like the Metria Wearable Sensor make it easy to use in connection with a caregiver if you are not confident in your own technological abilities.
Virtual reality headsets and talking medication managers may seem pretty futuristic, but advancements in technology that improve lives of seniors are only just beginning. At technology’s current rate, robotic caregivers and driverless cars may just be a few years away.
Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareSupplement.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options.
His work has been featured in outlets such as Vox, MSN, and The Washington Post, and he is a frequent contributor to health care and finance blogs.
Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He currently lives in Raleigh, NC.
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