I admit that I am a bit of a nerd -- I find survey data very interesting.
It's especially intriguing when it exposes trends that are both counterintuitive and actionable.
So it is with two studies that tackle the questions of senior and caregiver readiness to use home monitoring technology that can help them stay longer in their homes.
The first study is the American Association of Retired Persons Healthy@Home March, 2008 survey of 907 seniors (age 65+) and 1023 caregivers (people who assist older family members).
The core questions that were tackled in the study: "Are older adults and caregivers aware of technology that could help them meet goals of remaining independent? Would they be willing to use technology? Is technology perceived as something that will invade their privacy or give them more time and greater peace of mind? And is technology seen as being affordable or beyond their means?" Keep in mind that in the older adults survey population, 52% of responders acknowledge that they are managing two chronic health conditions.
Let's look first at the viewpoint of the 65+ population about home monitoring.
Here are just a few details - 56% of responders said they would be willing to use an activity monitor, although only 36% were aware that they are available.
Activity monitors were defined as an 'electronic device that lets someone who lives outside your home know if you are okay, or if your daily routine changes.
' This meets my definition of home monitoring and widowed people are more likely to want to use this than married people (71% versus 49%).
Now the caregivers - 62% were willing to use home monitoring, although only 19% knew of any - note that the seniors are more aware of this than caregivers.
Both seniors and caregivers agree (more than 80% of each group) that home safety devices, including monitors, would be an enabler of feeling safer and having more peace of mind.
Both parties worry that the offerings will cost too much to install and maintain - although we must remember that the majority of both groups are not aware of the existence of these products.
Now, over to the Clarity Aging in Place Survey of 402 seniors (age 65+) and 402 baby boomers (age 43-61) who had at least one aging parent still living.
None of the seniors live in assisted living or nursing homes.
This survey is quite revealing how seniors view risk of dependency and their relationship with their children: 89% of seniors say that aging in place is very important, but 53% are concerned about their ability to do so.
Fifty-five percent do not receive assistance with transportation, household, healthcare, and financial needs from their children or caregivers.
Seventy-five percent believe their children are 'involved enough' in their life and the same percentage of children believe themselves to be involved enough in their parents life.
And here comes the kicker - 65% of seniors are open to or would like to use new technology and 54% said they would consider sensors to monitor their health and safety.
Half of Baby Boomers think there are technology products aimed at meeting the needs of seniors, including sensors, but only 14% have actually looked for any (italics mine).
Both these studies send me the same loud and clear messages:
So let's see caregivers start combing the internet for technology that could help their parents stay in their homes even a little longer.
Let's not expect our aging parents to buy services like these on their own.
If our parent is widowed and has two or more conditions that jeopardize their feeling of safety (or your peace of mind), let's do this search now.
Let's hope that siblings will split the costs of these and other aging in place technologies and services, rather than expecting one person to shoulder the cost.
The foot-in-the-door rationale with home monitoring is to first monitor the safety and well-being of the home itself (temperature, security, etc.
) while a senior is healthy and self-sufficient.
To get you started, here are four vendor sites to check into - with more products and services available - these will most likely emerge from the security vendor landscape and may be sold online or through dealers due to the initial setup.
They include Xanboo, alarm.
com, Monitronics, or ADT.
Look for marketing information on their sites that indicate they understand why and how monitoring for seniors can help.
It is always good to spend a few minutes on the Center for Aging Services Technology (CAST) clearinghouse website scan for new pilots and the plentiful university-based research.
If you know of a great product that isn't mentioned here, let me know!
It's especially intriguing when it exposes trends that are both counterintuitive and actionable.
So it is with two studies that tackle the questions of senior and caregiver readiness to use home monitoring technology that can help them stay longer in their homes.
The first study is the American Association of Retired Persons Healthy@Home March, 2008 survey of 907 seniors (age 65+) and 1023 caregivers (people who assist older family members).
The core questions that were tackled in the study: "Are older adults and caregivers aware of technology that could help them meet goals of remaining independent? Would they be willing to use technology? Is technology perceived as something that will invade their privacy or give them more time and greater peace of mind? And is technology seen as being affordable or beyond their means?" Keep in mind that in the older adults survey population, 52% of responders acknowledge that they are managing two chronic health conditions.
Let's look first at the viewpoint of the 65+ population about home monitoring.
Here are just a few details - 56% of responders said they would be willing to use an activity monitor, although only 36% were aware that they are available.
Activity monitors were defined as an 'electronic device that lets someone who lives outside your home know if you are okay, or if your daily routine changes.
' This meets my definition of home monitoring and widowed people are more likely to want to use this than married people (71% versus 49%).
Now the caregivers - 62% were willing to use home monitoring, although only 19% knew of any - note that the seniors are more aware of this than caregivers.
Both seniors and caregivers agree (more than 80% of each group) that home safety devices, including monitors, would be an enabler of feeling safer and having more peace of mind.
Both parties worry that the offerings will cost too much to install and maintain - although we must remember that the majority of both groups are not aware of the existence of these products.
Now, over to the Clarity Aging in Place Survey of 402 seniors (age 65+) and 402 baby boomers (age 43-61) who had at least one aging parent still living.
None of the seniors live in assisted living or nursing homes.
This survey is quite revealing how seniors view risk of dependency and their relationship with their children: 89% of seniors say that aging in place is very important, but 53% are concerned about their ability to do so.
Fifty-five percent do not receive assistance with transportation, household, healthcare, and financial needs from their children or caregivers.
Seventy-five percent believe their children are 'involved enough' in their life and the same percentage of children believe themselves to be involved enough in their parents life.
And here comes the kicker - 65% of seniors are open to or would like to use new technology and 54% said they would consider sensors to monitor their health and safety.
Half of Baby Boomers think there are technology products aimed at meeting the needs of seniors, including sensors, but only 14% have actually looked for any (italics mine).
Both these studies send me the same loud and clear messages:
- Seniors want to age in place in their own homes.
- They are worried about their ability to do so.
- They are open to some sort of monitoring technology.
- Neither they nor their caregivers are aware of or looking for this technology.
- And neither group wants more involvement from the other than exists.
So let's see caregivers start combing the internet for technology that could help their parents stay in their homes even a little longer.
Let's not expect our aging parents to buy services like these on their own.
If our parent is widowed and has two or more conditions that jeopardize their feeling of safety (or your peace of mind), let's do this search now.
Let's hope that siblings will split the costs of these and other aging in place technologies and services, rather than expecting one person to shoulder the cost.
The foot-in-the-door rationale with home monitoring is to first monitor the safety and well-being of the home itself (temperature, security, etc.
) while a senior is healthy and self-sufficient.
To get you started, here are four vendor sites to check into - with more products and services available - these will most likely emerge from the security vendor landscape and may be sold online or through dealers due to the initial setup.
They include Xanboo, alarm.
com, Monitronics, or ADT.
Look for marketing information on their sites that indicate they understand why and how monitoring for seniors can help.
It is always good to spend a few minutes on the Center for Aging Services Technology (CAST) clearinghouse website scan for new pilots and the plentiful university-based research.
If you know of a great product that isn't mentioned here, let me know!
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