5 Ways to Make Sure Technology Helps People Age in Place

Three-quarters of baby boomers and Generation Xers want to age in their own homes, according to a recent survey. But most (95%) Americans don't think today's technology will let them reach that goal.

Philips, a LeadingAge Gold Partner with CAST Support, conducted the Aug. 2013 survey in partnership with Georgetown University's Global Social Enterprise Initiative. Survey findings served as the backdrop for an expert roundtable that the 2 organizations co-hosted in November.

Roundtable participants included leaders from industry, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and media outlets. A new report summarizes 5 sets of recommendations for promoting technology adoption among older adults that were developed during the roundtable.

1. Minimize complexity.

Older consumers may feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of technology solutions on the market. They may have difficulty deciding which products best fit their needs. These consumers may also be reluctant to use products that seem complicated or require many updates or back-end interactions. Roundtable participants made the following recommendations for removing such barriers to technology adoption: 

• Provide more passive interfaces that eliminate the need for consumers to understand how to activate technology features. 

• Slow the pace of change in technology products designed for the mature market.

• Tailor customer service to aging consumers. Use trained peers who can demonstrate the benefits of technologies and teach older adults how to use it. 

• Develop “smart” applications that ask a series of simple questions and then navigate users to specific solutions or options. 

• Create universal design standards for font size, colors, button shapes and symbols. 

• Train and offer community service credit to younger people who volunteer to teach technology skills to older friends and relatives. 

2. Increase interconnectivity and coordination.

New technology products and services are not properly integrated with one another and focus too much on illness. The following strategies would help resolve these barriers:

• Take a holistic and consumer-centric approach to product development.

• Develop more products that focus on managing health and wellness. 

• Make data and research universally accessible. Make sure appropriate privacy and protections are in place. 

3. Expand access.

Many factors limit an older consumer’s access to technology. Some consumers are slow to use technology because they lack adequate training. Others can’t use technology because they lack access to broadband Internet. Among the roundtable’s recommendations:

• Create technology not only for fun but also for safety, ease-of-mind and health. 

• Seek the help of consumers to identify the benefits that technology offers them and the factors that would motivate them to incorporate new technologies into their lives.

• Provide 100% nationwide broadband coverage and expand the rural technology infrastructure.

4. Demonstrate value.

Consumers may not see the value proposition of new technology. This barrier could be removed by following these steps:

• Learn more about how consumers make value decisions and who influences those decisions. Call on these influencers to provide technology-related guidance to people who are aging in their homes and communities.

• Develop consumer-centric technology designs that are based on better research and a better understanding of target population segments. 

5. Change policy.

Reimbursement policies and regulations remain unchanged despite recent advances in technology. As an alternative, the report recommends the following:

• Develop reimbursement policies that take the needs of older adults into account. 

• Create an informed policy framework that is constantly re-evaluated. 

• Encourage stakeholders from all sectors to share timely information and best practices that can be used to inform policy. 

• Streamline policy development to reduce time lags. 

• Educate consumers and service providers about policy through clear communication from government agencies and trusted consumer groups.