Five technology Innovations for Older Adults – May, 2016

The more things change in the age-related markets, the more they change.  Even without an age-related event announcement, article, or article series, new startups and initiatives emerge every week that can provide benefit to older adults and those who provide care for them. Some firms want to apply tech from other market categories to the aging market segment. Others are already in the segment and announce a new offering. Categories of these five from May include health, tech support, hydration, transportation, and social connection, Information is derived from the websites of the companies:

Sensoria walking app. "Sensoria Inc., a world leader in the development of IoT enabled garments, offers a new walking app, Sensoria Walk, is now available for download in the App Store. The new app works with the company’s 2015 CES Innovation Award Honoree smart socks to help its wearers track their daily activity including steps, cadence and distance during rehabilitation after a stroke or post-surgery—with the ultimate goal of speeding up overall recovery time. Sensoria’s textile pressure sensor technology is infused directly in its smart socks, which connects to the electronic anklet." Learn more at SensoriaFitness.com.

Digital Butler. "A powerful connected home support solution, Digital Butler runs as a downloadable app on a phone, tablet or computer and works in conjunction with a knowledge base and insights engine in the cloud. Digital Butler takes the guesswork out of support and changes connected home economics by driving a marketplace starting with digital home integrators and expanding to CE companies and service providers. For the first time installers and integrators have a comprehensive tool to remotely and securely troubleshoot smart home networks that doesn't require any extra equipment." Learn more at Digital Butler.

MyHydrate. "Patent pending removable electronics uses lights and sounds to track and encourage drinking throughout the day. These are units of drinking and that they automatically adjust to the ambient temperature. Clear LEDs clearly show your progress and you sip and consume throughout the day. Your consumption requirements reset automatically every 24 hours. Patent-pending spout design has no crevices or drinking straw to trap harmful bacteria." Learn more at MyHydrate.

Lyft Concierge. "Ride sharing provider Lyft is partnered with National Medtrans Network in NYC, fulfilling rides to non-emergency medical appointments through the Lyft platform. All of these patients are seniors – a demographic with unique needs for reliable transportation solutions. Many have regular medical appointments and limited transportation options. More than a quarter of Americans 65 years and older don’t own smartphones. We are introducing Concierge, a new third-party web request product that allows our partners to request rides for their customers through the Lyft platform. No smartphones required. A requester simply inputs the passenger’s name and pickup and drop-off location, and a Lyft driver will be matched to give the ride." Learn more at Lyft.

Keepy. "Keepy is an app that allows you to organize, save, privately share, enrich, and treasure your kids’ memories as they grow. Whether it’s artwork, schoolwork, an award, or a photo, with Keepy you can easily cherish and look back on these special moments for years to come. Keepy is a guilt-free way to reduce the piles of your kids’ artwork while still capturing those special moments, so you can look back on them for years to come. Moreover, we offer a special cropping tool tailored for kids’ art, so your kids’ masterpieces will get the treatment they deserve. On top of all that, Grandma and Grandpa can enjoy your kids’ creations." Learn more at Keepy.