SASKATOON, SK --(October 10, 2017) – Innovation and beauty come together with ORA, the first personal safety alert device that combines the required functionality with the desired fashion. ORA works with a smartphone, keeping the wearer safe and connected wherever there is cell phone coverage no matter who the provider is. At the center of the device is the ORA Link, which can clip in and out of stylish designs easily, allowing for versatility to match any style.
PERS is the most recognized wearable for older adults -- but what's next? Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) -- a long-standing $3+ billion market (30+ years!) that has evolved only slightly from its fear-inspiring origins. The 'I’ve Fallen' message is still 'inspiring' families and seniors to acquire one. But 30% of the market’s sales are for mobile devices. This makes sense in this time of substantial life expectancy at age 65, that 46% of women aged 75+ live alone; and now we can add older adults’ newly-discovered extended middle age. Mobility demands mobile devices which in turn boost confidence to be out-and-about. Consider walking the dog -- since one third of the 65+ population has one.
Recent announcements, interesting offerings are worth a look. AARP recently completed the judging process for its Innovation Champion Awards; and upcoming, the Boomer Venture Summit in Berkeley in July, will select business plan startup winners – see last year’s winner. Here are six technology-enabled offerings (some in market, some in process of getting to market) that can be helpful to older adults and those who care for them and about them (listed in alphabetical order):
OGDEN, UT - Freeus, LLC, one of the fastest growing mobile personal emergency response system (mPERS) businesses in the United States, announced their new 3G emergency alert pendant with fall detection, GPS and WiFi: Belle+TM.
Belle+ offers users the ability to get help anywhere in the US with wireless network coverage from AT&T, along with the added peace of mind of fall detection and location technologies.
In home and out and about – new and not quite here offerings. The top of the list alphabetically is the not-yet-here and pricey Amazon Echo Show. Is this a ground-breaking innovation? Or is it an always-watching irritant set to ‘drop-in mode’ which automatically will accept a video call after 10 seconds? On the positive side -- start chatting with an aging parent who lacks or hates PC/Macs, tablets, or smartphones. Consider the potentially negative response: an intrusive person (your loving relative) sneaks up on your screen, ready to converse when you least expect it. How creepy-Skype-y is it? Here are the five:
Essence, providers of connected-living technologies including award-winning independent-living solutions for seniors, recently introduced Care@Home Active™. This innovative expansion of its aging-in-place suite offers new mobility features that further enhance seniors’ lifestyles and security.
OGDEN, UT - Freeus, LLC, one of the fastest growing mobile personal emergency response system (mPERS) businesses in the United States, today announced that it will be a bronze sponsor of the second annual Home Health Technology Summit.
Freeus will debut two upcoming 3G mobile emergency alert pendants at the Summit, which is a business-focused event for C-level executives that recommend or purchase home health technology.
Recent announcements, interesting offerings are worth a look. AARP recently completed the judging process for its 
In home and out and about – new and not quite here offerings. The top of the list alphabetically is the not-yet-here and pricey 