Soon, seniors will outnumber young people in the U.S. That means they’ll need help with personal care. Some companies developed tech with that need in mind. While tech use is growing for the rest of the aging population too, it still lags far behind younger generations.
The broader demographic trends will fuel large growth of these types of companies in the coming years.
The so-called active aging industry in the U.S. — which includes safety and smart-living technologies, health and remote care, and wellness and fitness technologies — is expected to triple in the next three years, to nearly $30 billion, according to a report by the Consumer Technology Association. While the report finds that health and remote care lead the way, wellness and fitness technologies for seniors is expected to reach $900 million by 2022.
Seniors can face barriers to using technology, but the pandemic has pushed many to harness it for their health, both physical and social.
This increase in technology use among older Americans is not entirely unexpected. While this generation is adopting technology at slower rates than the rest of the population, research shows they’re still more digitally connected than ever.
Moreover, seniors are yearning to use more technology in all aspects of their lives. To communicate, shop, watch events, and especially in health care.
If the pandemic has taught us one thing. Seniors need technology as we move into the 21st century.
The rate at which seniors are adopting technology is exciting, especially considering the ways it can help maintain their total health during the pandemic.
Tools like FaceTime, Zoom and WhatsApp, Neighbor can help seniors stay connected with their families and friends while physically distanced. This is particularly important for a population at risk of social isolation.
Programs like Silver-Sneakers, Daily Burn, Noom. Peloton are providing virtual exercise classes to help seniors stay active from the comfort of their home, including bicycling, yoga, balance, cardio and strength classes.
Companies like Aetna, a CVS Health made tools like telehealth available to help seniors continue to receive the medical and preventive care they need.
Online shopping clubs like Melaleuca, Uber Eats, and others makes shopping easier and comfortable from your own home.
New devices that use Virtual Robotic Attendants like NEVA powered by Nice, and ElliQ and other technologies have hit the market to help with tasks so seniors can live healthier lives.
The active-aging industry in the U.S. — which includes safety and smart-living technologies, health and remote care, and wellness and fitness technologies — is expected to triple in the next three years, to nearly $30 billion.
Those ages 50 and older in the U.S. generate $7.6 trillion in economic activity, according to AARP, representing a huge financial force. That trend will grow as the number of older adults more than doubles by 2050, representing over 20% of the population.
As these boomers age, they want to do so actively, gracefully and independently. Technology is being viewed as the big disruptor that will allow them to achieve those goals. And that’s presenting a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs developing these types of products.
The advancements in medical devices for joint and other ailments add to a population which is growing old, but still wants to stay active. More often than not in recent years, these increasingly high-tech adaptations in people over 50 daily routines can make life better for both older adults and the people who love them.
Most people want to live independently in retirement. A graying U.S. needs more resources to address the needs of older disabled adults.
Smartphones, Tablets, webcams and even virtual reality headsets help, but experts say they’re not enough. Simplification awaits. Whether configuring a smart home, a new device or a phone out of the box, the one-button start-up is still a future [must-have].
The latest tech tools need to provide a watchful eye, critical human connection and renewed comfort for people over the age of 50 who want to live out the remainder of their lives in their own homes. Devices also need to be secured, minimally invasive and easy to us. It’s a tall order, but many companies are at least starting to address it.
While there’s no doubt that technology is a convenient and beneficial tool for many, it can be confusing and difficult to navigate for others. Seniors face unique barriers to using and adopting technology. Some older adults find using the internet have little to no confidence in being able to use electronic devices to perform tasks online. This leads to a fear of technology with a dependency of needing someone else to set it up or show them how to use it.
The issue is not that seniors are technology-averse. They may just need more support than so-called digital natives. Luckily, there are resources available to help seniors overcome barriers to technology, incorporate it more easily in their day-to-day lives and use it as a tool on their overall health journeys.
Tips seniors can keep in mind when looking to use technology more. As with learning any new skill, it can be helpful to first start with a small undertaking. For example, most smartphones today come loaded with health apps that track wellness metrics, such as steps taken, as you go about your day. These apps require almost no technology skills, but they still provide a measurement tool for staying healthy. Once comfort levels increase, you may then be able to graduate to more substantial health-tracking tools, like meal trackers and exercise apps.
Technology can be a useful tool for seniors in their daily lives and in achieving their best overall health. Regardless of comfort level, there are tools and resources that can help.
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