AgeTech

This Aging in Place Tech blog was launched officially in 2009. We asked ChatGPT to give the December, 2009 blogs a review and compare them to October, 2025 blogs to see what changed in terms of topics and tone.  In 2009, it detected an emerging market and observations about immature and simplistic products and gadgetry. Remember GE’s acquisition of QuietCare? It detected frustration with fragmented markets, poor adoption and naïve assumptions in the market about older adults. ChatGPT also noticed observations about poor usability and lack of integration among products, vendor hype (touch screens had just emerged), as well as the need for market education.  The belief in 2009 was that older adults could and would adopt technology if it is useful and respectful.

A 2011 report predicted a notable future change in technology called Design for All.   Why would that make more sense than the specialty tech of the period for older adults – flip phones, special tablets, and even special TV remotes, some still available today.  Those age-specific devices today are marketed online – and for those looking for tech for people with Alzheimer’s or mobility issues they can be found.  But the general consumer product market has radically changed by 2026 – today it is feasible to adjust features of a device to accommodate physical, hearing or vision limitations with products that are designed for all.  Software has become the enabler as: 

As they do each year since 2016, AARP surveys the 50+ about tech.  AARP’s new Tech Trends and the 50+ offers a sharp reminder about what’s changed in tech ownership over the past decade. We have moved from desktop computers and simple cell phones, email and browsing to today's plethora of tech choice. The report reflects what we can see all around us – 90% of the 50+ have smartphones, texting is their lead communication method, and 90% use social media.  Unfortunately, the report continues to frame the older adult as age 50+. With a life expectancy at 65 extending into the 80s and beyond, this 35+ year span called ‘older adult’ might as well be replaced with ‘everybody.’ Maybe next year, the report will begin to examine the preferences of the 80+ in detail, as this Link-age Connect 2025 survey does. Why doe it matter? In January, 2026, the baby boomers start to turn 80 -- 10,000 per day for the next 20 years. 

AI technology is permeating every aspect of business technology today.  Increasingly it will be deployed in the care of older adults, as apparent in research reports like The Future of AI in Home Care and an earlier report, The Future of AI and Older Adults (which will be revisited with new research later in 2025).  With little effort, AI-enabled offerings can be found throughout the startup directory of the AgeTech Collaborative from AARP.  So here are five that sound promising from their descriptions -- all info is derived from the startup website or other reference site.