HousingWireHousingWire
Technology has a lot of potential to assist older people with the goal of aging in place. A new study from AARP and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) aims to make the case by arguing that tech can empower independence.
Combining the work of a quantitative study from CTA and qualitative research from AARP, the report finds that older adults are largely comfortable with using more technology in their daily lives and find it useful as they seek to age in place. This is particularly true in the realm of health management.
“Four in five (89%) older adults say it is important to them to be able to age in place, but that same number (89%) have at least one concern about aging in place,” the report stated. “The majority of adults age 50-plus (70%) feel comfortable using technology to help them live independently.”
The top five kinds of technology among respondents that were found most useful included “connected medical alert devices, digital blood pressure monitors, electric or powered wheelchairs/scooters, indoor security cameras and electronic medication pill dispensers/reminders,” according to the study.
But there is currently a low penetration rate among adults ages 50 and older for so-called “age tech,” and only a moderate amount of purchase intent.
“Connected medical alert devices are the top technology considered to help with aging in place,” the report explained. “That said, only 3% of those 50-plus currently own or share the technology, and just 18% plan to purchase it in the future.”
Older adults, the study said, are well aligned on the potential utility that age tech could have for their aging-and-place goals, but they don’t choose to “readily adopt it.” This also means there is upside in taking time to make the case for why older adults might consider adding more technology into their homes to assist with these goals.
“Opportunity remains in showing this consumer the benefits of such tech,” the study noted. “If the benefit is not fully embraced, then cost will become the obvious excuse not to make the purchase, with concerns for its ease of use and data privacy adding to their hesitations.”
Technology has been deployed by some localities to assist older adults with daily tasks, as well as to combat loneliness or feelings of isolation. In New York, an investment in a smart home assistant for older residents appeared to have a material impact on combating these feelings.
