White House Report Highlights Key Focuses for Healthy Aging Tech Research

A report from the White House's Task Force on Research and Development for Technology to Support Aging Adults said new technologies emphasizing communication, cognitive health, and healthcare access are essential for dealing with the growing U.S. senior population, according to MobiHealthNews . The authors said these areas, as well as transportation, personal mobility, and independent living activities, should be prioritized by public and private entities looking "to improve the quality of life, enhance individual choice, reduce caregiver stress, and cut healthcare costs." The task force noted that, "The combination of the projected growth of this segment of the population and the desire of many older Americans to live independently in their homes and communities makes it critical that the federal government proactively develop strategies, tools, and recommendations to enable older Americans to live healthy, independent lives for as long as possible." Health tech sector stakeholders are developing new solutions to support healthy aging. Examples include Royal Philips' app-based ecosystem for family members to coordinate the care of their loved ones, and Best Buy's acquisition of senior communications tech firm GreatCall.