Aging In Place Wednesday

Each Wednesday, Laurie Orlov, tech industry veteran, writer, speaker, elder care advocate and Faculty Advisor for the Aging in Place Technology Department at Computer School for Seniors will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.

Google Voice -- Compelling Phone Service
Trumps Skype for Boomers and Seniors

Yeah, yeah, Skype is cool for boomers and seniors -- especially grandparents. Free video conferencing with the grandkids and free long-distance calls -- even if some of them are a bit flaky in quality, probably due to a poor Internet connection. And the teaser (of course) is to upgrade you to their low, low international long distance phone plans. Okay, sounds good -- and I know folks love it -- "Do you Skype?" is a frequent starter for planning a meeting. But let's just forget Skype for a minute -- a jaw-dropping service may be around the corner -- Google Voice.

Google has snuck up on the long distance world -- and said 'Boo'. Google grabbed a million phone numbers from Level 3, according to http://www.ageinplacetech.com/ Place Technology Department at Networkworld and in the past few weeks has enabled users to sign up online and be 'invited' to select one of those numbers, which can be in your standard local area code, selected by you from a displayed list. What can you do with that number? Well that's the game changer, as they like to say in the tech world.

Get rid of domestic long distance plans -- no Internet required. You dial that number from your land line in your local area code and then any number in the US that you want to dial -- you call for free. That means a) no need for domestic long-distance service from your home base, b) no need to be on the Internet to initiate the call. That's free and it's not through your (potentially lousy) Internet service. Want to know more?

Boost for small business. Expand on that feature list,says NetworkWorld: "you can access the kind of advanced features that would normally require either paying fees to your local phone company or setting up your own office PBX. For example, you can forward calls to up to six other phones, make free text messages, take voice mail messages and set up four-person conference calls."

Free means free -- for now. So let's think about what that means. Well, a 'free' US long-distance calling model that doesn't require you to use an Internet service to launch it -- that means calling plans can be slashed back to minimalist levels if friends and family are in the US. But if the Internet is unavailable and you have a BlackBerry (not from an iPhone app, since it seems to have been banned), you can access the Google Voice user interface, ask it to dial a number and present that call to you on any one of your multiple pre-configured call forwarding land line phones.

I dunno -- it seems important. What do you think?

For more information, visit Laurie at http://www.ageinplacetech.com/ Place Technology Department at http://www.cs4seniors.com/

Aging In Place Wednesday

Each Wednesday, Laurie Orlov, tech industry veteran, writer, speaker, elder care advocate and Faculty Advisor for the Aging in Place Technology Department at Computer School for Seniors will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.

Amazon, Kindle, boomers and seniors -- they get it

A few months ago, on his Post on this Blog, David Berry talked about his new Kindle and how happy he was with it.

So it's not the first time I have had the Kindle presented as a technology for seniors -- in a recent overview I did for a senior center, one of the attendees observed that I had left the product out. Two days ago as I walked past two elderly individuals seated on motorized scooters in the back of an ampitheater in Chautauqua NY, a family member poked me as we walked by -- they were listening to music side-by-side AND reading books on their Kindles -- which they might have learned about at the Amazon product forum for seniors. I think they were friends.

Kindle is a device for downloading books -- up to 1500 of them. It's not cheap -- at $299 -- or upwards of $359 and beyond for latest models. And you have to purchase the downloaded access to 300,000 books and newspapers from the Kindle store. You can search the web as well as the choices of books -- the book print can be enlarged and resized on the reader's screen and Amazon is experimenting with other features, including reading the book out loud and transferring MP3 files to serve as background music while you read.

Most books are $9.99 to download. From CNET: "While it's still short of perfection--and has a price tag that's too high--the Amazon Kindle 2 offers a range of improvements that makes it the best overall e-book reader we've seen to date." There are plenty of naysayers -- especially book publishing industry -- but also technology wonks who can't seem to understand Amazon's 24% year-over-year growth of Kindle sales in this horrendous retail economy. But maybe they're under 50 -- turns out buyers of the Kindle are over 50. And 27% of them are over 60.
So let's see. Ability to store 1500 books, surf the web, buy the book for less than the bookstore price, not have to carry around a bunch of books (library or otherwise), ability to resize the print size. And we're talking about the age segment with the greatest wealth and discretionary spending capability. And who knows -- call me crazy -- maybe that age segment even reads more books.

For more information, visit Laurie at http://www.ageinplacetech.com/ and at the Aging in Place Technology Department at http://www.cs4seniors.com/

Aging In Place Wednesday

Aging in Place Wednesday 

Each Wednesday, Laurie Orlov, tech industry veteran, writer, speaker, elder care advocate and Faculty Advisor for the Aging in Place Technology Department at Computer School for Seniors will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.

Distance grandparenting with webcams

So if you are a baby boomer and want to imagine your long-distance grandparenting experience (assuming it hasn't already begun), here's the scenario. The New York times has a compelling article today about grandparents staying 'close' to their grandchildren through PC-mounted webcams -- using Skype and iChat, along with a link to a blog discussion about Web cams and grandparenting.

Here are the most interesting datapoints in the article:

 Nearly half of American grandparents live more than 200 miles from at least one of their grandchildren. And another study (U of Southern California) learned that two-thirds of grandchildren see one set of grandparents only a few times per year, if that. 

Webcams are undergoing a 20% growth in video calling because most new laptop purchases include them(IDC).

The grandparents mentioned in the article are in their 50's and 60's. Their kids are in their 30s.  So while everyone was wondering about video-monitoring of elders, how hard is it to imagine that as these grandparents age into their 70's and 80's that the same technology will serve yet another purpose -- keeping in touch with them to see how they're doing?

For more information, visit Laurie at Aging In Place and at the Aging in Place Technology Department at Computer School For Seniors.

Aging in Place Wednesday

Each Wednesday, Laurie Orlov, tech industry veteran, writer, speaker, elder care advocate and Faculty Advisor for the Aging in Place Technology Department at Computer School for Seniors will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.

Children are growing up with modern technology. A two year old sits in his car seat playing games on his Mom’s IPhone as she drives him to pick up his sister from kindergarten. When they arrive back home they both head to the TV to play video games. But there is a new video game that is sweeping the country and is being embraced as much by seniors as it is by the kids and teens. It’s Wii time!

Wii Fitness: It's not just for teens
BY DANA THIMONS

Linda Kirby had never played a Wii before she picked up a controller at SHARE Club North, a local senior center for residents.

COURTESY PHOTOS Seniors at SHARE Club North Center recently participated in a bowling tournament using the Nintendo Wii gaming system.

"I love it," she said, swinging her arm and simultaneously releasing the trigger on the remote to virtually knock down some pins. Unlike traditional video game systems controlled by a player's thumbs and fingers, Wii games respond to a player's body movements.

Kirby used to actively play sports before her bad hip forced her to give them up. Wii Bowling enables her to continue one of her favorite pastimes without the pain a "real" game of bowling could incite. "I can do this like I used to bowl. It keeps me up on my feet and gives me some exercise," she said.

Bowling and other sports games from Nintendo's Wii gaming system arrived at the SHARE Club North location in March, and the software — perhaps better known for getting tech-loving kids and their parents off the couch — is quickly gaining traction with seniors in Southwest Florida.

Nntendo's Wii gaming system.

Even Nintendo has taken note of the appeal to baby boomers and older users. Though the demographic breakdown is not available at this time, said Denise Kaigler, vice president of corporate affairs for Nintendo of America. "We know a lot of senior communities are having fun with Wii."

Sue Maxwell, MSW, system director of gerontology for Lee Memorial Health System, agreed that Wii is just plain fun.

"We really feel that senior centers need to offer different opportunities for sports and physical activity other than just the usual swimming pool and pool table. Wii fills that need for something different," she said. "Besides exercise, it provides lots of opportunities for socialization and team building."

Gaming systems could mean added years to your life.

Wii is one way to get 30 minutes of exercise per day, as recommended by the American Heart Association.

"If unable to do other exercises or get to the gym, this type of individualized computer program is a great way to do something physical," said Dr. Lacagnina. "Anything that gets people off the couch and moving is a step in the right direction."

Wii is also useful for maintaining memory.

"Anything that gets your attention is better than something you get bored with. Research has shown that video and computer games interest people," said Dr. Michael Raab, a local geriatrician who works with Lee Memory Care.

The new Wii Fit program rolled out about a year ago and involves a pressure sensitive balance board and comes with 40 exercise-oriented games, including yoga, soccer and ski-jumping.

"Wii Fit will tell you how long it's been since you logged in last and gives you computerized encouragement. So Wii has the interest factor and the record keeping ability," Dr. Raab said.

"Regular exercise can help with balance, cardiovascular health and strength," Dr. Raab said. "In addition, people who participate in regular physical activity experience less memory loss over time."

Information about the Wii:

Nintendo released the Wii gaming system in November 2006. . About 19.6 million consoles have been sold in the U.S. . Among the Wii sports available are tennis, baseball, golf, bowling and boxing. . Wii Fit, launched in May 2008, involves a pressure-sensitive balance board and comes with 40 exercise oriented games, including yoga, ski jumping and hula-hooping.

For more information, visit Laurie at http://www.ageinplacetech.com// and at the Aging in Place Technology Department at http://http://www.cs4seniors.com//

Aging In Place Wednesday

Each Wednesday, Laurie Orlov, tech industry veteran, writer, speaker, elder care advocate and Faculty Advisor for the Aging in Place Technology Department at Computer School for Seniors will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.

Tech Gadgets for Aging in Place a Reality Now

By Mark Miller, syndicated newspaper columnist, blogger at RetirementRevised.com

Laurie Orlov grew up in the corporate high-tech world, working for 30 years as an information technology executive and later as an analyst for Forrester Research, the respected technology research company. More recently, she has been applying her knowledge to a pressing questions facing baby boomers and seniors: how to age in place safely and successfully.

Last year, Orlov started her own market research firm, Aging in Place Technology Watch, as a way to spotlight technologies and services that can help people live independently as long as possible. She also is studying to become certified in geriatric care management.

Surveys show that most people would prefer to stay where they are as they age. And with residential real estate markets in a deep slump, many people will have no choice but to age in place.

What's more, the coming age wave likely will make aging in place a key component of efforts to contain exploding medical costs at a time when health care delivery systems already are severely strained. Orlov notes that 70 percent of Americans over age 65 will need some form of long-term care in their lifetimes. Assisted living facilities cost an average of $36,000 per year, according to AARP, and most costs are paid out-of-pocket. And an acute increase in demand for care is expected to open a gap in the system's ability to provide services.

Age-related living decisions are urgent not only for today's seniors, but also for baby boomers who are helping their own aging parents manage and make decisions, Orlov says. "Boomers are the first Internet-connected generation, and they will take their tech literacy with them as they consider the issues of aging in place."

In a recent research report, Orlov described a series of technologies that can improve communication and reduce isolation for seniors, and also improve safety through electronic monitoring.

As the market develops, we'll start to see as commonplace products like motion sensors that interact with security systems and alert caregivers when activity isn't detected according to schedule. Automated phone systems will remind people to take their medications -- and family members or caregivers will be able to help seniors manage their care long-distance over video-enabled web connections.

Much of the technology Orlov envisions already is available -- but the market is "largely unexplored and poorly understood" by consumers, she notes. "It's not really visible as a technology category, and it's not well marketed. She also concedes that some technologies are still immature and too complicated for most consumers to use.

For more information, visit Laurie at http://www.ageinplacetech.com/ and at the Aging in Place Technology Department at http://www.cs4seniors.com/

Each Wednesday, Laurie Orlov, tech industry veteran, writer, speaker, elder care advocate and Faculty Advisor for the Aging in Place Technology Department at Computer School for Seniors will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.

Consumer Cellular
Has Cell Phones for Seniors

Last week we caught up with CEO of Consumer Cellular, John Marick, who talked about its now-nationwide service offering -- no contract service intended for the low-usage cell phone user. The firm went from being a small Northwest cell phone service reseller in the Northwest to becoming a national provider. Key to their offering:

• Exclusive wireless provider for AARP members. Following their success with the AAA automotive club business, in September, 2008, Consumer Cellular became a preferred provider for the AARP membership, giving them access to AARP's more than 40 million members in the 50+ age bracket. The offering included AARP discounts on service and accessories. Now, no surprise, 80% of the reseller's customers fall into that age range.
  
  
• No contract service, with emphasis on the service. CEO Marick is proud of the firm's service orientation, saying that the company's goal was to "make a product that people were satisfied with and happy". Their focus is on service -- and they are willing to be called. This would seem obvious in other industries -- but in the wireless business, with contract-based providers like Verizon and AT&T, users oddly are penalized with early termination charges.
  
  
• Ability to reset plans before the end of the month. Rates run from $9.50 per month for non-users who carry the phone for emergencies up to $57/month for 1600 minutes. Up until the end of the billing cycle, users can change plans if their usage goes over the estimated amount. Above the limits, the firm charges 10 cents/minute. If their usage goes way over, the customer service staff contacts them and encourages them to find another plan.
  
  
• Senior-friendly and hearing-aid compatible phones. Marick indicates that the Nokia and Motorola phones will be augmented by new models that are similar to their best-selling Nokia 6085, with bigger buttons and bigger screens. This includes making the hand-sets are hearing-aid compatible with good ring tones -- and also working with manufacturers to provide even more senior-friendly handsets in the future.
  
  
• Baby-boomer ready. "We are trying to balance the needs of the marketplace today, but also plan for the future" says Marick. This means thinking about phones that baby boomers will want that can support them as they age, perhaps incorporating touch screens, voice activation, and ease of use. On their radar, phones with additional services -- like content, e-mail, and other apps. Says Marick: "as baby boomers get into the 65+ category, people will not be afraid of technology -- they will want a product that will be useful to them as they age."

For more information, visit Laurie at http://www.ageinplacetech.com/ and at the Aging in Place Technology Department at http://www.cs4seniors.com/

Aging In Place Wednesday

Each Wednesday, Laurie Orlov, tech industry veteran, writer, speaker, elder care advocate and Faculty Advisor for the Aging in Place Technology Department at Computer School for Seniors will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.

National Institute on Aging

Having been involved in research projects most of my adult life, I appreciate and value all the resources on aging that are available to us at the click of our finger. Valuable information is out there, we just have to know where to look for it. One resource you may want to explore is the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIA leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life.

In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people. Subsequent amendments to this legislation designated the NIA as the primary Federal agency on Alzheimer’s disease research.

Mission

NIA’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of older Americans through research, and specifically, to:

Support and conduct high-quality research on:
Aging processes
Age-related diseases
Special problems and needs of the aged
Train and develop highly skilled research scientists from all population groups
Develop and maintain state-of-the-art resources to accelerate research progress
Disseminate information and communicate with the public and interested groups on health and research advances and on new directions for research.

Take a look at all the info they have to offer. Just click on the link below.

http://www.nia.nih.gov/

Aging In Place Wednesday

Each Wednesday, Laurie Orlov, tech industry veteran, writer, speaker, elder care advocate and Faculty Advisor for the Aging in Place Technology Department at Computer School for Seniors will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.

Cell phones and smart phones

What phone is right for you?

Today Jitterbug owns the message in this market.

Laurie Orlov of Aging in Place tells us - "Great Call's Jitterbug reputation was built around its no-contract, easy-to-use phone. Buy just as many minutes as you will need, no more no less. There is a bit of grousing here and there on the Internet about service issues, but the overall story remains senior-focused and friendly."

Some interesting Cell Phone Options

* Consumer Cellular and particularly the Nokia 6085h, no-contract phone plans along with a phone description that is particularly appropriate for seniors.

* Tracfone and Hop-on.com offer no-contract plans as well, and Hop-on presumably offers a senior phone -- ChitterChatter HOP 1890 -- a GSM offering, although the overall Hop-On website looks like it was designed for twenty-somethings headed out for a night on the town.

* BlackBerry - many seem very happy with the sound quality and the combination of useful functions available in a single device. There is even an application for those seniors who are suffering from vision loss -- expensive, but it will read the text out loud. There are even free applications for BlackBerry -- I noticed one that lights up the screen more effectively than the standard product.

Remember - don't get locked into a contract until you know what you are getting into and research, research research before you make a decision. There are plenty of choices out there!

For more information, visit Laurie at http://www.ageinplacetech.com/ and at the Aging in Place Technology Department at http://www.cs4seniors.com/

Aging in Place Wednesday

Each Wednesday, Laurie Orlov, tech industry veteran, writer, speaker, elder care advocate and Faculty Advisor for the Aging in Place Technology Department at Computer School for Seniors will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.

Welcome Laurie!

We are thrilled and honored to welcome Laurie Orlov to our Computer School for Seniors campus and to our Blog.

Laurie Orlov grew up in the corporate high-tech world, working for 30 years as an information technology executive and later as an analyst for Forrester Research, the respected technology research company. More recently, she has been applying her knowledge to a pressing question facing baby boomers and seniors: how to age in place safely and successfully.

“Eighty percent of older people today live in their own homes,” said Laurie. Not surprisingly, 90% of you would like to stay there – and if you move, according to the AARP, it will be to another private home. In fact, one survey of seniors revealed that they fear nursing homes worse than death.

Within that context, aging in place reflects the ability to successfully age and remain in one’s home of choice, whether it is a private home, condo, apartment, or group home. So why is the technology to enable this, important now – versus years from now? Because successful aging means independence.

When asked what’s important for successful aging, seniors rank as the most important:

Being in good health

Having the ability to do things for myself

Having friends and family there for me

Feeling safe and secure.

"Aging in Place" is the ability to live in one's own home - wherever that might be - for as long, as confidently and comfortably as possible. Livability can be extended through the incorporation of universal design principles, telecare and other assistive technologies and services.

“I have a passion for this subject and that is why I started Aging in Place Technology Watch. It is a market research and analysis consultancy focused on technology for aging in place. My mission is to understand, categorize and advise technology vendors and their constituents in this important area. By helping them select and offer the best products possible, it will enable seniors to remain in their home of choice.”

“Through my website, www.ageinplacetech.com, this Blog and others and my Computer School for Seniors Aging in Place Technology Department, I will share my research findings with you, your family, caregivers and technology vendors in order to help improve your quality of life.”

For more information, visit Laurie at http://www.ageinplacetech.comand at the Aging in Place Technology Department at www.cs4seniors.com