technology for seniors at aging in america conference

TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIORS AT HOME

Who and What Makes it Work?

Susan Estrada, Aldea Communications

It’s Time to Get Wired!

Senior home tech for health, safety and engagement

Tech-Ready Family

Tech-Ready Home

Buyers’ Guide and Reviews

Vendor Support

Deployment and Use

A Technology-Ready Family

The “talk” “Independent living is not doing things by yourself; it is being in control of how things are done.” Judy Heumann

Elders remember when microwave ovens, automatic washers and dryers, and TVs & VCRs & DVDs were new

Compare today’s independent-living technologies to those inventions

Aging becomes easier, safer, and more dignified Engagement by connecting to families, friends and the world Peace of mind for adult children (and guilt assuaged)

Connected devices are often “team” devices Elderly user

Family or paid caregiver

They won’t be successful unless there is participation

Here’s One Team Gadget for Communication

Presto Email Printer – uses a phone line

Here’s another team device for Advanced PERS – BeClose

From “I don’t need that” to this…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUGArvKEiRw

A Technology-Ready Home

If it is a connected device, make sure that you can connect it from the user’s location.

Check cellular coverage (on cell provider website)

Check Internet requirements (WIFI or Ethernet) and Internet broadband availability

Check the type of regular phone line it needs (sometimes only a regular telephone line will do)

Some devices need a phone line, power and wired Internet broadband. Can be tough in older homes.

A Technology-Ready Home

Know your own and your person’s compliance and

usage issues – technology only works if it gets used

A 30-day money back guarantee will help you try out

options at no cost

Routines for charging devices, filling medication dispensers, etc. are important

Getting the family organized and onboard for care and communications activities is important

What tech works? Happy@Home Approved

Web soft launch of reviews of AIP tech

Buyer’s Guides

Product Reviews We test, test, test

Buyer Comments

Community Q&A

Happy@Home Buyers’ Guides

PERS Guide

Questions to think about before you buy

In-home activity monitoring systems

Automated fall detection systems

Personal medical alarms

Simple and inexpensive solutions

Happy@Home Product Reviews

Technology

Targeted Users

Testing Method

Satisfaction, Effectiveness and Overall Usability

Consumer Reviews

Setup

Effectiveness

Comfort

Charging

Family/Caregiver Interface

Extras Needed

Payment, Warranty

and Privacy Policy

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that technology can be confusing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAG39jKi0lI

Aldea Communications’ Happy@Home Visit www.aldea.com for Happy@Home products

Visit www.HappyatHome.me for Happy@Home reviews

Follow us on Twitter @AldeaCom

Contact Susan Estrada, susan@aldea.com, 760-705-8407

Visit www.agetechsd.org for the San Diego Technology and Aging Coalition, Twitter: sdagetech

The Elderly are Phobies, not Techies

Adult Children Decide, Elderly Pay

www.caregiving.org

Connected Caregiver study