Over the past few years, many technological innovations designed to improve the well-being of older adults have been introduced to the market. Most of these solutions, however, are created by young entrepreneurs who may not fully understand the needs of individuals who are sometimes three times their age. According to eldercare advocate Laurie Orlov, this disconnect can limit the benefit of technological innovations. 

In an interview with Health Data Management, Orlov provided the example of a fitness tracker that could improve the well-being of care recipients. The device monitors the movements of the user and sends the information to a smartphone app or website. The problem with the product, according to Orlov, is that the screen is too tiny and the buttons are too difficult to push. 

"It is such a useful product and could be so effectively applied [for eldercare] if it were made in different versions, but real seniors—75 and up—aren't buying them," Orlov told the source.

Orlov added that young designers are also more likely to miss key traits about their client base. Older Americans are less likely to live in urban areas, and would probably benefit the most from technology that allows them to communicate with family members and care providers remotely. 

In a recent post, we discussed the tech incubator Aging2.0, which provides mentoring for startups that target an older demographic. The organization is headquartered in a San Francisco senior community center, allowing entrepreneurs to communicate directly with the audience that they hope to serve. Programs like Aging2.0 aim to prevent the problem that Orlov points out. 

Independa's solutions have been designed from the beginning with seniors in mind, including the simple TV interface. Importantly, we have designed our CloudCare software to fill the unique needs of the individuals in a typical care circle, from the professional care manager to the personal care giver to the care recipient. When the whole circle of care can engage effectively, easily and with benefit, the end result is a higher quality of life. Contact us today through our online form to learn more or request a demo. 

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