December 2022
Taking Stock of AgeTech: 2022 was a good one for emerging technologies that can help older adults, commonly known as AgeTech. The timing is right – as 56 million Americans are now aged 65+. This looming older population growth has awakened the technology market, historically known for “tech ageism”. Why? As an aging population grows the supporting labor force for aging services, both in communities and for in-home care, simply isn’t there, lured away by better pay across multiple sectors. Technology can help alleviate this growing labor crisis in the market that serves older adults (home care, home health care, senior living, and long-term-care). How? Here are a few examples:
- AT THE EDGE: Alert without Wi-Fi. It continues to be a struggle to fully enable the senior care service industries with high-speed internet capability. So tech companies are beginning to offer AI (artificial intelligence) – enabled cameras and sensor systems that can detect a change, based on tech that is closer to the user (EDGE computing), versus transmitting to the cloud, for initial processing. Tech placed in a home or individual apartment can notice an incident and alert a staffer’s in-building cell-phone or send a text message to a family member.
- DETECT THE FALLS: Observe without a wearable. Until recently, fall detection has been linked to the PERS market – pendants, and now wearables that have built-in accelerometers for fall detection. Accelerometers measure acceleration or vibration and are widely used to measure sedentary time and physical activity. Recently, Amazon partnered with Vayyar to create room-based fall detection, as part of Alexa Together. Origin Wireless went to the next step to offer Wi-Fi based fall detection that spans multiple rooms. SensorsCall also delivers a wall-mounted fall detection sensor that can be placed in multiple rooms.
- HEAR A VOICE: Listen and get a response. During the peak of the pandemic, many older adults were isolated – voice technology was helpful for curbing loneliness. What is meant by voice technology? Voice technology allows a computer to recognize different spoken words. Virtual digital assistants like Siri, Alexa, Google Home, and Cortana use AI (artificial intelligence) to recognize and respond to voice commands. Voice technology lets you be there for your loved ones, without being there. How does this service work? The Alexa Together service has many features including 24/7 hands-free access to professional Urgent Response agents that can get your loved one the assistance they need if they say, “Alexa, call for help.” If a compatible third-party device detects a fall or a button is pressed on the device, the device can send a signal to prompt Alexa to ask if the person receiving support wants to call Urgent Response. A Remote Assist feature allows you to manage device settings, remotely set reminders, or connect a music service on your loved one’s devices. The activity feed shows a generalized view of your loved one’s interactions, so you know they are active around the house. Circle of Support allows you to add up to 10 additional family members or friends to support your aging loved one. Voice technology is the future. It is estimated that by 2024 the number of voice assistants will reach a staggering 8.4 billion, overtaking the world\’s population. In a time of labor shortages, voice tech is being used to provide, at least, an initial response for service requests across multiple industries – and will find multiple home automation uses in individual homes and senior living arrangements, moving forward.
- HEAR BETTER WITH OTC HEARING AIDS: Sell directly to those in need. The FDA finally issued its approval in August 2022 for the sale of hearing aids over the counter, directly to consumers without an audiologist involved, offered through retailers like Walmart and online. This will be helpful to the 37 million Americans that have some hearing loss, including the one-in-four who have never used a hearing aid. Edited from the report “The Future of Seniors & Older Adults”
How Helping Others May help You:
Those of us who have retired, and those of us thinking about retiring are reminded regularly by spouses and friends that volunteering is a far more useful activity than streaming a Net Flicks series. After all, we have an abundance of free time, and so much work needs to be done in this world: People are hungry, children are lonely, parks are filled with litter, homeless men and women need shelter, land needs to be protected from development, town boards need members … the list of needs is endless.
Most people say they volunteer because they want to help other people. That\’s an excellent reason. There\’s nothing wrong with altruism. But here\’s another, more compelling reason: Volunteering is also good for you! Numerous studies have shown that older adults who volunteer enjoy better physical, mental, and cognitive health, than those who do not. A 2021 study found that older adults who volunteered for more than 100 hours per year reported greater satisfaction with life, more purpose, and lower levels of depression, hopelessness, and loneliness. While that is true, only 4% of older adults volunteer that much. Nearly one-third report volunteering \”once a year or less\”. Another 20% volunteer \”a few days a year\”. Most people like to volunteer for \”one-and-done\” projects that don\’t require a time commitment. It is hard to get volunteers to make consistent, long-term commitments. Typically there are not any problems enlisting volunteers for the book drive, the clothing drive, or annual food distributions. Volunteers eagerly flock to these \”one-and-done projects\”, which instill in them good feelings about their contribution, at minimal personal cost.
Volunteering of any type is good for society, and anything that gets you away from a video screen is good for you. But, the types of volunteering that offer the most positive psychological benefits to the volunteer are the ones that take the most time and the most commitment. The Pelham Council on Aging has an average of 85 volunteers who provide over 8,000 hours of service annually and we need more volunteers. If you would like to help support our cause of \”building an age-friendly community\”, please contact the COA, ask for a volunteer application form and interview with Volunteer Coordinator, Irene Hinkle, at 603.635.3800 x 1 or email Irene Hinkle .
COA Thank Yous:
Thank Yous! On behalf of the entire Pelham older adult community, the Council on Aging wishes to express our sincere gratitude to those who made a financial contribution to the Pelham NH Council on Aging. In October, the Pelham Funeral Home made a donation for the Council’s gala annual Christmas Party and a general donation was received from Hannaford’s Community Bag Program. Jacqueline & Raymond Landers and Cynthia & Danielle Fournier made large donations for Pickle Ball. Pickle Ball donations were also received from William & Louise Scanzani, Margaret Fletcher and Daniel J. Fallon and American Legion Auxilary Post #100. Finally, Doug Hirsh donated $5,000 of service to install loom around courts, taper grade from court to surrounding area to promote drainage away from courts. Bless you Doug for your support of this project! If you would like to make a donation to the COA, make your check payable to Pelham COA, 8 Nashua Road, Pelham, NH 03076. Thank you
Yvonne La-Garde
Pelham Council on Aging