Surveys Show How Tech Is Now Essential For Healthy Aging.

Advances in aging technology, software, and services are changing the way we age. From wearable technology to telemedicine services, these innovations empower older adults to live longer, healthier, and more connected lives.

GetSetUp is an organization working to bridge the digital divide for older adults by creating new tools and spaces to learn and socialize for people in mid-life and beyond. I recently spoke with GetSetUp’s president and co-founder, Lawrence Kosick, about how he sees tech becoming core to healthy aging.

Gary Drenik: What are the latest advancements in aging technology, software, and services, and how are they impacting older adults?

Lawrence Kosick: Recent advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, robotic assistance, personalized medicine, smart home devices and better access to the internet, will have a positive impact on older adults.

For instance, telemedicine services are gaining popularity as a preferred means of addressing non-life-threatening illnesses. According to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, while Gen-Z (9.3%) utilizes telemedicine services the most, Millennials (9%) and Gen-X (7%) are close behind, with Boomers (4.4%) showing a growing interest. Digital connections with medical professionals assure access to care, especially considering the medical shortages in many places.

Smartwatches and other digital devices for monitoring health and wellness also help predict problems and better diagnose issues. Due to the ability of these devices to track health and wellness over time, people can present their health providers with a more comprehensive look at their lifestyles.

In some cases, this can help assure issues are addressed before they become extremely problematic. Plus, they allow people to better understand and track when they need to reach out to medical professionals for help.

Drenik: How are smart home technology, software, and services transforming the way older adults age in place?

Kosick: We’re seeing smart home technology enable safer and more independent aging. According to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, Gen-X (57.2%) regularly use their smart home assistants but so do nearly 50% of Boomers, most of whom are relying on Amazon Echo.

Devices like smart thermostats, doorbells, and security cameras, make it much easier for older adults to monitor their homes and manage their daily activities.

Apps or voice commands can turn lights on and off, lock doors, and control the temperature. This is especially helpful for older adults who may have mobility or physical limitations – and family members and caregivers who worry about their loved ones' safety can also monitor these tools.

Drenik: How are older adults using technology devices, software, and services to enhance their social connections and combat loneliness?

Kosick: A survey from the Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging found that in 2023, one in three adults age 50–80 (34%) reported feeling isolated from others in the past year. This is extremely worrying because the National Institute on Aging found that the risk effects of loneliness, isolation, and weak social networks is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Fortunately, we’re seeing tech become a huge resource for combatting this epidemic among older adults.

The biggest plus is that new tech helps relationships transcend distance. Social networking apps are among the most popular smartphone apps, according to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, half of Boomers (49.9%) and even more Gen-Xers (56.4%) use social networking apps, and this trend won’t slow down anytime soon.

On top of that, video conferencing and online classes have opened up whole new worlds for older adults to stay connected with friends and family, gain new skills, and pursue new interests.

As just one example, one of our users Omi is in her 60s and recently shared that the classes GetSetUp offers in art, wellness, etc., remain one of the most powerful ways she stays connected to others from her home.

Drenik: What are the most pressing challenges facing older adults in terms of adopting and utilizing technology devices, software, and services?

Kosick: While technology has the potential to improve the lives of older adults, some may be hesitant to use it because they worry they won’t be good at it. Others lack access to tech or do not have the resources to learn about tech specific to aging.

The good news is many health plans, governments, and community organizations are stepping up to ensure that people have the additional training and support they need to understand and access helpful tech as they age. But it's also on all of us to make sure there's equity across these resources - like broadband and education - so that all demographics have the same opportunities.

Drenik: How have technology devices, software, and services impacted the way that older adults access information and learn new things?

Kosick: According to a recent Pew report, around 73% of adults aged 65 and older use the internet, and this number is expected to increase dramatically in the coming years. Furthermore, online learning platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and GetSetUp have become popular among older adults, providing them with an opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge at their own pace.

Another big example is the rise of virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) technologies, which have the potential to transform the way older adults learn and engage with the world around them. VR, for instance, can be used to simulate experiences that may be difficult or impossible for older adults to experience in real life, such as traveling to new places or participating in physical activities.

Drenik: What role do you see technology playing in the future of aging?

Kosick: It's simple: we need to focus on making things easier and more accessible to more people. In the aging space, that means reducing the friction between a user and the tech itself. Creating more intuitive user interfaces is key. Surfacing key features and functionality only as needed and suppressing options and complexity until necessary is key for product design and usability.

Considering the shortage of caregivers and the increasing aging population, frictionless products and resources can help lighten the burden and empower older adults to maintain their independence and age in place on their own terms.

Overall, technology has the potential to greatly enhance the lives of older adults. It‘s crucial that we continue to invest in and develop technologies and educational resources that can help older adults age with dignity, health, and happiness.

Drenik: Thanks, Lawrence, for your insights on how tech is becoming essential to healthy aging. For those of you interested in learning more about new tech and a range of other topics, check out the resources on GetSetUp.