Phoenix-based Envoy America, a specialized ridesharing program that offers accompanied transportation plus assistance and companionship for seniors and patients and recipient of the prestigious Dementia SMART Award, announced today that it has launched in the Chicago, Austin and Albuquerque markets to provide accompanied transportation services to senior citizens.
In a taxi in DC – the driver wends his way around buses and pedestrians. It’s the day after the self-driving car killed a pedestrian. The next day, you can find scores of link references to a police comment that the car was likely not at fault though no investigation has completed – or even been started. In another tech publication (“Big Think – your daily microdose of genius”), you can read that in over 1.5 million miles of testing, one year ago was the first time the car had been at fault when it crashed with a bus. Really? How does the writer know this? Because Google says it was a ‘misunderstanding in the car’s software and from now on, the car will understand that large vehicles and buses will be less likely to yield.’
2017 was an interesting year -- 2018 should overcome a few obstacles. Probably the most significant innovation during 2017 was the growth of the Voice First technology market -- but judging by the aisles of gadgets in places like Best Buy, everything else is changing as well. CES is next week, and with it more speakers, TVs, and gadgetry than is seen in Best Buy or anywhere else during the year. But even as technology leapfrogs and crawls forward, obstacles to broad adoption for older adults remain. Hopefully interest in mitigating social isolation among older adults will lead to the role technology could play. But to make a real difference, here's a look at five areas for improvement in 2018:
Two November events highlight competitions and new firms. GuideWell Innnovation'sHealth+Accel event in Orlando concluded on November 3 with a pitch competition from "GuideWell Innovation CoRE. During the first four days, entrepreneurs obtained insight into the dynamic needs and relationships between insurers and providers, discover unique opportunities within the space and explore best practices from experienced industry leaders." And Aging 2.0's Optimize event this week in San Francisco offering "cutting edge content, networking and partnership opportunities to make this a high-value event for anyone interested in innovation and aging." Combing through the companies featured in each competition, here are examples of six startups that have not previously been mentioned on this site, some of which may not yet be available. The material is from the startups themselves:
In a continuation of its industry and geographic expansion to meet demand for its health + wellness transportation solutions, Santa Monica, Calif.-based tech startup Ride N Care, Inc. is partnering with PRIME MSO, a leading surgical facility management organization, to provide patient transportation for PRIME’s outpatient facilities throughout Southern California. The partnership will give PRIME’s outpatients a safe, easy-to-use, and HIPAA-compliant transportation alternative.
October – when trade shows ramped up; vacations ramped down. Behold the press release. As the season of shows begins, rental trucks with exhibits roll up, presenters rev up their presentation skills and the big decisions are made. To walk around the stage or not? Take questions in real time or answer them afterward? Announce the partnerships in one release or multiple? These and other imponderables are perplexing. And as some events loom ahead, for example, LeadingAge, Aging 2.0 in a few, and then the cacophony of CES. Can you imagine the sonic racket from those smart speakers? Anyway, here are the six blog posts from October.