There are about 11,000 people turning 65 each day in the United States. According to AARP’s most recent survey, 75 percent of people over the age of 50 would prefer to spend their later years in their own homes rather than spending their time in senior care facilities.
Something that could help make those preferences a reality is the advancements of something called AgeTech, which has tools that are meant for supporting older adults. AgeTech is making the comfort of home a safer option for older adults to spend their days and ease the minds of their caregivers.
Dana Marie Kennedy, the State Director for AARP Arizona, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the affordability and sensibility of these items.
“Many people want to stay in their own home and they want to stay there as long as possible,” Kennedy said. “I think with the advancement of technology more and more family members feel comfortable for their parent to age in place.”
When it comes to the ability to age in place there are a lot of variables that come into play, including prices of assisted living, or the fear of falling in your own home. Another being how age friendly the cummunites are in Phoenix.
“Phoenix is an age friendly community, ” Kennedy said. “We are trying to build communities where you can raise a family and retire, and there is no reason you have to go to a retirement community.”
AgeTech is advancing things like smart pill organizers, smart walkers and concierge services that can provide drivers and deliveries without a smartphone.
A very useful tool that many are using is an AI robot called Ellie Q. This new tech has the ability to track how you slept, if your pills were taken for the day, and even start daily exercises for the person of need. This AI tool also has the ability to help with memory loss, providing brain games and reminders throughout the day.
One fear with tech like this is social isolation, but this is not an issue for Ellie Q.
“It has been proven to reduce social isolation,” Kennedy said when speaking on the effects of the system. “Because Ellie Q is having a very smart conversation with the person. And the people who have done surveys after having Ellie Q for a month, they feel more connected to other people.”
AARP is now focusing on passing a bill that allows electric monitoring in long term care facilities. If this bill passes, families would have the ability to place sensors or cameras in their family members room so they can monitor them in that care facility.
