Press releases propagate predictive thought. Most wearables and health-related predictions reflect the universe of themselves, that is, gadget press releases and press hype about the rise in wearables, for example, among consumers. Per IDC, in 2014 "wearables and embedded sensors will become mainstream." What is mainstream, considering that only 32% of consumers are even aware of fitness trackers? Or consider that low-risk prediction: "Certain health care organizations will experiment with Google Glass." Well, maybe not so much this year -- two months before, a Fast Company article interviewed a surgeon who was experimenting, concluding that the device has a 'long way to go.'
With Canada's aging population accelerating, there is more focus on the growing number of tech-savvy seniors (60 percent) who are seeking digital options for managing their health services remotely, according to a new Accenture NYSE:ACN survey. Although seniors in Canada want access to healthcare technology, such as electronic reminders (58 percent) and online appointment scheduling
Essence, the leading connected-home solution provider, has launched Care@HomeTM – a game-changing M2M cloud-based in-home care solution for the elderly and chronic disease sufferers. The company, which already offers comprehensive connected home and home security solutions, focuses on solutions that enable service providers to offer their customers the comfort to age at home independently with peace of mind for themselves and their loved ones.
The 2014 Positive Aging Conference shines a light on innovation. At the just-held Conference on Positive Aging in Sarasota, FL, the seventh in its history, to the four themes Wellness, Creativity, Transitions and Community, the conference added a new theme, Technology. The conference’s offerings are designed primarily for the Sarasota County attendees, a population of older adults in the region who are the focus of the work of the Institute of the Ages. This year, the Institute of the Ages, led by CEO Tom Esselman, has partnered with InnovateLTC, CEO John Reinhart, an accelerator for new businesses serving the age-related market segments. That partnership enables a willing and able test audience from Sarasota to find willing and eager businesses looking for pilots of their products and services.
The Digital Health investment frenzy is running out of superlatives. Words are crowd-funding out the clichés – are we nearing a tipping point, re-imagining, having a frictionless health experience, or becoming consumer cultural force? Watch this overview of the 59-second pitch – and wonder, have we ever seen such breathless entrepreneur energy and excitement since the days of the dot-com boom and browser wars? Executives of these companies are practiced and smooth – eliminating needless words and clearing of throats, they cram confident assertions about money raised, consumers helped, design implications, and future strategy -- into 59 seconds. Speed dating investment meets deal-making -- and optimists claim that the pace of deals will apparently be solid in 2014.
