Aging and Health Technology Watch 2021 Research – A Recap

2021 – even less travel than previous – so for many, it was the best of times. Not just for Zoom, the company, but for many who wished to spend more time thinking and less time in airports. That meant it was still feasible to write monthly blog posts, publish client white papers and complete interview-intensive research reports.  It was feasible to consider topics such as AI and machine learning, Home Care technology, the role of big tech companies and older adults, barriers to tech adoption, broadband access, predictive analytics, voice first, and the role of tech in Villages. And that was in addition to doing a CES 2021 blog post about ten and with too many companies, posting a second one. Likely this coming CES 2022 will have two blog posts, not to mention more press releases. 2021was a year of research about wearables and smart homes – plus a fully updated Market Overview. Here are the summaries of those reports – in case you missed them:

Technology for Aging: Market Overview, January 2021. It was updated to reflect current trends, demographic data about older adults, policy changes, new products, and services as well as inclusion of available data about what tech they own and/or prefer. The final section with examples includes more than 30 offerings and services new for this report, indicated by **. This document, published annually, serves as a market overview with a single purpose: it is intended to describe the need for, and the current market of, offerings to help the growing population of aging adults live full lives in their homes and senior living locations of choice. Read more.

The Future of Wearables and Older Adults, June 2021. Wearables are new to most older adults in 2021. But that will change in the coming years as broad market acceptance drives interest among the 65+ population. Adoption will grow as the price points become more affordable; and most important, as the data from wearables becomes more actionable, informative, and predictive of future change. Within five years, doctors will see the benefit in guiding older adults to their usage. Chronic disease monitoring through wearables will see the most substantial growth. And stigma-free and lower cost hearables will provide customizable sound improvements to a far broader population than current hearing aids. Read more.

Beyond DIY: The Future of Smart Homes and Older Adults 2021. Within five years, predictive, proactive, and adaptive smart home solutions that support health and wellbeing, comfort and safety, and engagement and entertainment will emerge to meet the needs of older adults, including subscription-based services integrated with wearables. Remote configuration and updates will be standard, and health insurers will be interested in smart home technology to deter hospitalizations. With the addition of predictive analytics and machine learning, the home can become a participating caregiver for the oldest and frailest. Read more.