Can the news media generate new interest in an old tech category? The Nancy Guthrie disappearance case is, at this point, an apparent tragedy. But hey, is it an opportunity to look at what-might-have-been-useful tech? Count on the Wall Street Journal to seize the moment, offering ‘guidance’ on monitoring Mom and Dad. For those WSJ readers with aging parents who were unaware of remote monitoring sensors and or location trackers, how reassuring to know that this tech exists! And while on the subject, tech can be used to track children! Oh and by the way, tech is available to request a ride without using Uber or Lyft!
Does anyone else find this to be an appalling moment of brazen opportunism? Consider the fact that Nancy Guthrie, apparently by her own choice, lived alone in a very large house in a secluded location without streetlights – with no nearby family. That isolated location presented an ‘investigation challenge.’ So the Wall Street Journal sought AARP executive Andy Miller’s thoughts: “There’s no shortage of gadgets to help older adults stay in their homes safely, but we’re still far from an easy fix.” Funny, the last time AARP posted interest about remote monitoring tech was a CES post from 2020. But hey, this is a moment.
An article like this quickly (and probably unintentionally) becomes patronizing. Andy offers a caution, saying that all these useful technologies need to be charged – hey, no, really? But nearly 80% of the 65+ use smartphones, says Pew Research! And all these phones and tablets need to be charged, sometimes far too early in the day. We do not know if Nancy Guthrie had a fully charged device with her – or for that matter, any device that would notice lack of movement – which is a feature of smartwatches available to the 65+.
Remote monitoring technology for older adults has been around…and around. Baby boomers turning 80, percentage (43%) of women aged 75+ living alone, coupled with the growing percentage of solo agers (those without family). Is this a new opportunity to track a long-time technology category, so frequently described here since 2009. Hopefully AARP will seize this moment. It should refresh its look at the poorly integrated but useful tech and devices – and publish a new report. Maybe it could introduce a Boomer Safety Bundle for those aged 80+. That could guide family members who saw the WSJ article as frightening hint. Will older adults accept even unobtrusive AI-enabled monitoring tech in their home? Or allow check-in calls, or Wi-Fi enabled fall detection? Or promote the proliferation of wearables that can detect falls and appropriately notify caregivers? Maybe.
