Presto, the printing mailbox company has broader possibilities as a platform for caregivers to configure reminders -- as evidenced by its new service PrestoConnect. A digression: I've always admired when innovators extrapolate new markets from an initial product launch. Although this strategy doesn't always work, the history of technology has some compelling examples, often based on the actual usage of a product for purposes other than what it was originally intended. Think about the many applications for GPS or a vision of extension possibilities, like Amazon, that that the vendor can enable with help from partners.  And the aging in place market is a fertile field for extrapolation -- since those who are aging represent a rolling market -- with changing expectations over time. Vendors must be nimble and think outside of their own box, so to speak. >>> Read more . . .

Move over, Jitterbug. An intriguing new cell phone announcement popped up on my screen this week that could -- with some in-your-face marketing -- give the cell phone super marketer some competition in the senior cell phone market.

The Clarity C900 is both an amplified cell phone and PERS device.  Here's the gist of the announcement: "Clarity, a leading supplier of communications solutions for older Americans, today released the ClarityLife(R) C900(TM), an easy-to-use amplified mobile phone that doubles as an emergency response device.Seniors can place or receive calls with the ClarityLife C900, retailing for $269.95 by using four oversized buttons on the front of the phone which allow them to easily navigate their top contacts. They also can use a full slide-out keypad with large numbers. Furthermore, the C900's screen is twice the size of a normal phone with magnified text and bright back-lighting."" We spoke with Jamie van den Bergh, VP of marketing at Clarity, to learn more. >>> Read more . . .

I love the idea of 'brain wellness'!  Don't we all want our brains to be well? Exercising them right along with our calf raises and seated arm curls.  But how? And with what? We certainly know that web surfing helps but there is an entire product range out there from game workstations and technology, but also software that is purely for improving mind health and vigor. >>> Read more . . .

I've become a bit obsessed with searching and thinking about PC simplification products (note previous entries about Presto and Celery) that enable seniors to connect to others (family, friends, caregivers...) Maybe I got into a searching frenzy after a 79-year old family friend just confided to me last week that the e-mail appliance in her home has stopped working and she can no longer exchange e-mail with her teenage grandkids. >>> Read more . . .

Monitoring your health at home looks like an incredible opportunity for big and small vendors -- including Zume Life, which just announced the 'Zuri' -- a hand-held device which prompts users to take their pills and keeps track of health-related issues, including upload to a Web page that can be shared. >>> Read more . . .

For those who provide care for those with dementia or other limitations -- AARP's Healthy@Home notes that seniors may not object as much as thought to an obvious barrier -- fear of privacy invasion if it can a) make them feel safer, or b) give them more personal peace of mind as well as that of their family and friends.. >>> Read more . . .

I've spoken before about the difference between technology that connects outside the home (and can be upgraded and improved) versus gadgets and gizmos that are one-off and destined for obsolescence. The former has the potential for connecting seniors to caregivers as well as connecting seniors to information they could use. >>> Read more . . .

My arms and hands have been hurting for a while. So I was pretty happy when I stumbled (so-to-speak) on Microsoft's "Guide for Aging Computer Users" aka "10 Tips for the Awkward Age of Computing" -- including tips for those XP users who may never upgrade to Vista. Here's an excerpt: >>> Read more . . .

Many folks I know provide the tech support for their elderly parents -- a CEO of a very large software company in California once told me that about being sole tech support for his Florida-based father -- he made regular cross-country trips to fix this or configure that -- turns out his father only trusted him and so saved up all of his problems. >>> Read more . . .

I love this site -- Astimegoesby.net and its 'The Elder Storytelling Place.' There are probably sites all over the Internet like this -- but this is one I stumbled upon. So much energy about aging in place tech for safety, health and its correlary -- monitoring.  What about just communicating? And talking -- and being heard? >>> Read more . . .