Mason Media Blog

In honor of National Grandparents Day on September 12, George Mason University professor Andrew Carle has released his annual list of the best high-tech products for older adults.

Carle, director of Mason’s Program in Assisted Living/Senior Housing Administration, coined the term “Nana” Technology in 2004 to define the growing industry of microchip-based products for seniors.

“With the first of 78 million Baby Boomers turning 65 on January 1, these technologies will become an integral part of our society,” says Carle.

Top “Nana” Technologies for 2010 include:

1. GlowCaps™: “Individuals 65 and older are 12 percent of the population but consume one third of all prescription medications,” says Carle. Medication errors in turn are among the largest cause of hospitalizations among seniors.

Designed to replace the cap on standard prescription bottles, GlowCaps include an embedded microchip that provides both light and sound reminders at programmed times. Failure to remove the cap triggers a wireless, automated phone call to a family member or professional caregiver – who may also receive weekly email reports. The caps can additionally “call” a pharmacy to order refills as pills deplete.

Available through participating pharmacy providers.  http://www.vitality.net

2. Wellcore™: An update of the wearable emergency pendant, the Wellcore activity monitor resembles a stylish pedometer, while incorporating automatic “fall detection” technology, 24/7 call center assistance, and daily activity reporting for wearers or caregivers. The device can also be coupled with a compatible cell phone to allow access to services outside the home. According to Carle, the device, “Removes the stigma of wearing a ‘granny pendant’, while allowing emergency response when the wearer is outdoors, or even unconscious.” Base unit and activity monitor beginning at $199, monthly service beginning at $49.99. http://www.wellcore.com

3. DriveSharp™: A computer-based program, DriveSharp users “click” through 20-minute, 3-5 days per week training programs consisting of exercises that sharpen both attention and peripheral vision. In studies the program demonstrated a 50 percent reduction in crash risk, 200 percent increase in field of vision, and a reduction in stopping distance of 22 feet among participants. According to Carle, the ability to maintain driving skills in later years is significant. “Once seniors lose the ability to drive it’s easy for them to become prisoners in their own home, which exacerbates all the issues of aging.” $89, $69 for AAA members. www.positscience.com

4. ActiveONE™ – Personal Assistance Locator (PAL): Dubbed by Carle as an “OnStar™ for people”, the “PAL” is a cell-phone size device providing 24/7 live operator assistance at the push of a button.

Services range from emergency assistance and falls detection, to medication reminders, directions, or placing phone calls to a family member. The device additionally includes GPS tracking and “geo-fencing” capabilities, sending an alert if the user wanders beyond a programmed distance from the home or other location. From $59.99/month. www.activecare.com

Carle is an internationally recognized expert on senior housing, care, and technology. His work in “Nana” Technology has been featured in or on CNN, CNBC, USA Today, US News & World Report, NPR, Agence France Presse, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, among others. The list reflects his opinions and is not based on formal criteria.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 9th, 2010 at 2:41 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.