games, fun and fitness

By 2013, phone-based navigation will be the dominant form of turn-by-turn navigation -- today more than one-third of North American consumers own or use some form of navigation services. So says a new Forrester Research analysis.

Surfing around the websites that help with defining and guiding those in search of independent living, assisted living, nursing home and the combination of these known as a CCRC (continuing care retirement communities), you can spend time on guidance sites like Gilbert Guide, RetirementHomes.com, the unfortunately-named

It's been a long winter -- between the news, the weather, and news about the weather. As spring has sprung (or nearly so in blizzard-bombarded regions), let's think about excellent spring-time opportunities for seniors, families who care about them, and the residential environments in which they live.

Some called me crazy. Maybe an analyst who sees the non-tech world of aging through a tech-focused set of tinted glasses. When this blog began and I ranted about the importance of describing and shaping a business market of technology to help boomers and seniors successfully age in their own homes, I received virtual quizzical looks from many experts. I am a determined (some might say obnoxious) sort, however, and as I began to interview people, go to conferences, speak to industry experts, and write what I'd learned, I became more and more convinced.

Vendors never want to miss a market, inadvertantly bypassing an audience that may love to buy their products -- if they only knew more about them. So why don't vendors with great potential in boomer and senior audiences -- and even some loving customers -- try harder to make this match clearer? Is it because in our youth-oriented product culture, they don't want to use the 'age' word?  Is it because the product execs are too youth-oriented themselves? Fearful of alienating some by being specific about others?