Smart Technologies Create a More Connected Environment for Older Adults

HealthTech Magazine reports that residents arriving at communities for older adults are skewing younger, from about 78 years old a few years ago to about 72 today, according to Gale Morgan at Mather, an operator of "Life Plan" communities in Illinois and Arizona. These younger residents expect the communities to offer amenities that reflect their technological savvy and reliance. Early last year, Mather initiated a smart home pilot program at its Splendido development at Rancho Vistoso in Tucson. The group gave five of the community's nearly-finished villas a floor-to-ceiling overhaul using tech from Apple and Google, which mirrors a larger trend in the senior living industry. Many communities are deploying diverse technologies to boost connections among residents and staff — including mobile devices, smart speakers and assistants, and wearables — and enable self-reliance and a better overall living experience. "I think most aging-services providers are keenly aware that their customers have become more comfortable with technology," said Majd Alwan at the LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies.