Although this blog concentrates on aging in place in the outdoors, I have found a great deal more information about aging in place inside the home, and in getting into and out of the home (ramps, etc.). So I thought we could spend the last bits of winter chatting with some Aging in Place gurus, even though they may not address outdoor living per se,  and letting you know where their passions are taking them. There are many experts to whom I will introduce you in this series.

rollator in public (and paved) garden

Our interview today is with Laurie M. Orlov, the founder of Aging in Place Technology Watch, a market research firm that provides thought leadership, analysis and guidance about technologies and services that enable boomers and seniors to remain longer in their home of choice.

Laurie Orlov

She has been featured on Caring.com, MatureMarkets, SilverPlanet, Mobile Health News, and her blog entries are widely syndicated. She has been quoted in USAToday, Forbes, Kiplinger, the Toronto Star, and the New York Times. She has been profiled in the New York Times and the Huffington Post. She has a graduate certification in Geriatric Care Management from the University of Florida and a BA in Music from the University of Rochester. Laurie has consulted for AARP and is a participating expert on the Think Tank for the Phillips Center for Health and Well-Being.

What kind of technology are we talking about here? Well, we’ve all seen ads for products such as the medical alert pendant that monitors the wearer and will answer if the wearer needs help (“Help, I can’t get up…”). As long as the wearer will wear the pendant, it can be a real life-saver in an emergency such as a fall, and can permit the wearer to live alone without the worry of no one to be there if they need help. This is the kind of technology that is coming out in many variations for those who might live alone – variations such as computers that monitor the home, built-in to TVs so as not to be so intimidating, or even cameras that can be monitored if the person might not be able to push a button and let someone know that they need help.

single button pendant alarm

Now there are apps being developed for one’s smart phone and other home-use devices and services that will measure one’s heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, urine, temperature, etc. All sorts of technologies are being developed that will help the aging population stay in their homes, stay in touch with others while they live alone, and get around their communities. These are the technological products and services Ms. Orlov follows and analyzes.

Laurie, tell us how you got involved in aging in place:

I became an ombudsman for long-term care facilities in Florida, certified in Geriatric Care Management, self-published a book about caregiving, and saw that the technology market for older adults lacked an industry analyst. So I decided to become that person.

Because of leading-edge Baby Boomers beginning to retire, is there a groundswell for aging in place or is it still too soon? Is the present economic climate still too much in a downturn?

The groundswell is really the result of growing longevity — even though baby boomers are on average retiring somewhat later, their life expectancy amounts to another 20+ years after the age of 65. Most want to remain in their homes and communities as long as possible, hence their desire to ‘age in place’.

wiiFit software & hardware can help us learn to balance better

Angela TV system

In recent years, combinations of GPS location, fall detection, pattern analysis from sensors on or around the body, lower cost tablets, numerous conveniences in the home, software to foster social engagement, all play a role in facilitating greater likelihood of being able to age at home (in place).  Examples of companies include GreatCall, Independa, Philips, and GrandCare Systems — all in the space of facilitating aging in place.

GrandCare

Public organizations that must serve this population (health systems in other countries) are very interested. Non-profits in the use that target an aging population are also interested. The US government is not particularly focused on this topic, outside of the category of healthcare, at present.

FaceTime communicating with distant family members

 

For themselves and parents — have or do a home assessment — could you or they continue to live in their current home if they became disabled or frail, even temporarily?

curbless shower

Are there transportation alternatives if they became unable to drive? Do they have enough tech capability to maintain high quality communication with family members who live elsewhere? Does the community have services (transportation, home shopping and meal delivery, social programs that make it desirable to remain) — or could one become trapped in one’s home?

transportation alternatives

Wow, Laurie, that’s a tremendous help and important guidance for us all! I want to thank you on behalf of all our readers for your cogent and timely advice as we grow older and want to help ourselves and others maintain their health and well being as long as possible.