Exploring Technology For The Elderly

Are tech companies missing a trick by shelving the elder demographic as technophobes?
When you think of the demographic that’s most suited to use personal technology and gadgets, you usually think of young people. After all, they are the ones who grew up with computers and mobile phones as part of their daily existence. These “digital natives” have never known a time when you had to look for answers in a library or find someone’s contact info in a phone book.
However, as a society we seem to have a blind spot when it comes to who we develop technology for. Just because young people are the most naturally suited to use personal tech in all areas of their lives doesn’t necessarily mean they are the demographic that stands the most to gain from advances in the field of gadgetry, wearables and smart technology. Elderly people who require personal care and assistance also have a lot to potentially gain from integrating gadgets into their daily lives. This may seem counterintuitive, as elderly people tend to have the least understanding of how to use technology, but this is an assumption that we’d all do well to stop making.
If it is the job of technologists, developers, and inventors to use technology to address the problems that society faces today, then there is no better demographic they could be serving than the elderly. Often forgotten by marketers and entrepreneurs alike and viewed as having lower value than money-earning, working individuals of society, it’s far too common for the elderly to feel unappreciated and isolated. They want to maintain a sense of independence and worth in a world that seems to view them as no longer having the abilities they once had. There is no better way to help them do that than by designing technology specifically so senior citizens can maximise their enjoyment of daily life and find independence where once they had little. This may mean making adjustments, both in the software and hardware design. For example, seniors can potentially lose their sense of touch with age thanks to nerve deterioration, which can make using a touchscreen more challenging than it is for a  younger person.
Developers and companies who do this stand a lot to gain. By 2020, the UK government predicts there will be 19 million elderly people living in the UK. Many of these are certain to experience the end-of-life health problems that can are already widespread now, including Alzheimer’s, dementia and social isolation. By innovating in the area of specially-designed tech for this demographic, society stands to gain a great deal. Here are some examples of gadgets and tech that are already doing just that:
GPS SmartSoles Assist: One of the biggest sources of anxiety for families of Alzheimer’s patients is what to do if their family member gets lost or wanders off. These shoe inserts—which are discrete and don’t have to be “remembered” like another tracking device—help families locate a loved one if they go missing. Using GPS sensors and an accompanying mobile app, this technology gives families peace of mind and doesn’t harm the dignity of their loved ones.
The grandCARE system is a specially designed device and software that combines telehealth, health management, activity monitoring and social engagement. This easy to use software is holistically designed for caregivers, seniors and their families to use, with a focus on social and activity engagement.
Breezie: Breezie is much like other consumer tablets, but with a simplified interface making it easier for seniors to use. The hardware is a Samsung touchscreen tablet, but the software is customizable and much of the superfluous applications of a regular tablet are stripped away, leaving the user with just the things they want and need.
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