The 2021 release of the Market Overview of Technology for Aging sharpens the focus on older adults and their technology needs in this post-pandemic year. It took the aging of the 73 million baby boomers, a pandemic emergency, and investor interest to transform a 2009 market niche into this 2021 $30 billion market category. In 2021, the market will focus less on products specifically designed for older adults and far more about marketing existing offerings as useful to them.
Long ago in a city far, far away, there was CES 2020. It was filled with tech from wall-to-wall and bus ride to bus ride. CES 2020 was a January 2020 nightmare of related products sited at opposite ends of convention space that seemed to span miles in one direction, and up elevators to suites in the opposite direction. A competition winner here, a spotlight on hearing there, health tech here – there a robot, there a drone – everywhere a bus ride and 170,000 people. Leaving with sore feet and tired brain, vowing never to attend in person again (having said that multiple times over the years). Who knew that Covid-19 was about to take over the world -- and with it, the world of events? Soon there will be CES 2021, entirely online -- no smoke-filled hotels, no Bellagio fountain, and no need for comfortable shoes. There should be many to note in January 2021. Meanwhile, pre-CES, here are five recently surfaced. All content is drawn from the company websites.
A hot topic now – crossing the so-called ‘Digital Divide’. It’s ironic – the topic has been under discussion forever. Long ago, in a world far, far, away – it was easy for the oldest to say that they don’t see the benefit in technology, Internet access or other devices. That was pre-pandemic of course. In 2020, the divide looks like a chasm, depending on how it is viewed. What will close it? What is the missing link? More training? Discounted devices? Free Internet? Grandchildren photos? Worsening social isolation?Telehealth visits? And do we mean ‘Digital Divide’ – or do we really mean Internet Access Divide? Or is it the smartphone ownership divide? The how-do-I-use-this-thing divide? And what does it mean for one's life to be on the wrong side?
November revealed a growing sense of urgency about older adults. What has been the impact on them of the daily onslaught of Covid-19 statistics? What about nine months of ceaseless updates about case counts? Has this produced a permanent fear of contact with others, including families, especially on holidays? Public-private partnerships are forming to bring devices and products to older adults, now isolated for as much as 9 months. Will that help? Tech firms are trying to boost access to the internet and devices – will this become 2021 action priority for non-profits and government? And much more will be different for an older population – the real seniors, aged 75+, perhaps previously unnoticed by media. In fact, older adults have often been ignored by marketers even as boomers have all the money. Here are four blog posts from November:
November – the month for giving thanks -- remotely. It was a strange Thanksgiving for many – staying (stuck?) in place with Zoom, FaceTime -- and few place settings. Worse, for many older adults, isolation is a worsening health issue that we will hear more about as shutdowns continue and shut-in becomes the virtual norm. In November, a long report (the third of 2020) called The Future of Remote Care Technology and Older Adults was published, the result of 30 interviews with executives from organizations large and very small. Here are five companies drawn from the report and beyond – all material is from the company websites:
Beginning in March of 2020, older adults were cut off from their families. Senior living companies of all types were caught in the triple bind of no-visitors, worsening worker shortage and the spread of Covid-19 to their residents. The pandemic caused older adults to defer health appointments and interactions with others, resulting in the usage of telehealth and other technologies like Zoom and FaceTime to skyrocket. Many of the technology stopgaps will become part of permanent change in how seniors connect, how businesses serve them, and what innovations matter most.
Long ago in a city far, far away, there was CES 2020. It was filled with tech from wall-to-wall and bus ride to bus ride. 
A hot topic now – crossing the so-called ‘Digital Divide’. It’s ironic – the topic has 
November revealed a growing sense of urgency about older adults. What has been the impact on them of the daily onslaught of Covid-19 statistics? What about nine months of ceaseless updates about case counts? Has this produced a permanent fear of contact with others, including families, 
November – the month for giving thanks -- remotely. It was a strange Thanksgiving for many – staying (stuck?) in place with Zoom, FaceTime -- and few place settings. Worse, for many older adults, isolation is a worsening health issue that we will hear more about as shutdowns continue and shut-in becomes the virtual norm. In November, a long report (the 