Technology and Independence

Last week I attended a great presentation at the Oregon State capitol building in Salem, presented by CAST (Center for Aging Services Technology) and Orcatech (Oregon Center for Aging and Technology).

Although it's exciting to see all of the brainpower working on the task of helping older people stay independent as long as possible - the number one concern of aging boomers - at the same time it is a bit discouraging to see the time lines of availability of these products. Many of them are still in development and won't be available, at the earliest, until late 2008.

The day after this event I attended a fund raiser for a local foundation, the Jessie F. Richardson foundation, for their work helping seniors in Nicaragua. At the fundraiser the point was made that over 70% of the world's senior citizens will be in developing or 3rd world countries within the next 15 years. Makes the work of this foundation and others like it seem even more important. Check it out!

AARP, ALFA, Technology - what's next in caregiving

When AARP's monthly bulletin runs a special story (Every Step You Take) on home monitors and other technological aids to independent living you know these advances, designed to promote independence in seniors, are no longer things of science fiction (or of Intel's visioning, like the CAST video that demos things not yet available) - they're here and heading for the mainstream.

We're off today to Dallas for the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) conference to learn what's new in approaches to caregiving in the assisted living arena.

Stay posted - we'll report on the newest approaches to providing excellence in care, and supporting those who do the caregiving as well.

Technology Promoting Successful Aging is HERE

The impending baby boomer aging bubble, the rising cost of health care and services, the looming staffing shortage and the changes in technology are creating what Eric Dishman, Center for Aging Services Technology (CAST) chairman calls the upcoming “perfect storm.”

CAST, whose mission is “leading the national charge to develop and deploy technologies that can improve the aging experience in America,” held a Technology Day at the recent American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) conference.

The CAST sessions are posted on their website, and present an exciting insight into the ways senior care communities are using technology to help increase senior independence and quality of life.

And if you think this is something that doesn’t apply to the average nursing home, assisted living center or retirement community, think again. As Dishman so clearly points out, technological advancements are here – they’re not just a thing of the science-fiction future. Those companies and communities that are truly dedicated to their mission of serving seniors will be seeking ways to implement technology now so that they can lead the way to fulfilling their mission in the coming years and weather any upcoming storms of change.

This is an incredible opportunity to catch up for those of us who missed the conference. Check it out - Thanks, CAST!