Independent Living
Aging in the 21st Century - Emerging Technologies Around the World
A Conversation with Russell Bodoff / Event
February 2006
Related links
Learn more about the AARP Global Aging Program
AARP Global Aging Program Idea Exchange Series
Washington, D.C.
Personal computers, mobile communication, DVD players – new technologies are changing the ways people conduct virtually every aspect of their lives. With an aging population creating new challenges and opportunities for societies, many leaders in business, government and non-profits are beginning to focus on how these same life-changing technologies can play a role in transforming and improving the aging experience.
Russell Bodoff, Executive Director of the Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST), spoke at AARP about the potentials of technology to improve lives and societies in an aging world, how it can be used to help older people live healthier, more independent and more active lives, and how it can help alleviate the costs of care to families, care systems and public finances. Mr. Bodoff described CAST’s work and highlighted best practices and examples from the United States and internationally for effectively using technology to help people age in place and to improve care facilities.
Technology can be used to create “caregiver networks,” that enable people to age in the comfort of their homes, safely and actively. Older people can be equipped with wireless health devices that consistently monitor vital signs, remind them to take medications, and record activity rates. The data collected can be networked to personal computers that store and send reports, signals and alerts to caregivers, physicians and families. The information creates important data logs that can be tracked and analyzed, providing “caregiver networks” with accurate and timely information about the health and safety of their patients and family members. Such systems can allow children of older parents to remain mobile, yet remain engaged with, and even more aware of the conditions of their parents. At the same time, these systems can allow older people to remain independent, mitigate concerns they may have of over burdening their caregivers, and provide crucial information to physicians that can help with early detection and prevention of physically and financially costly medical conditions.
In addition to improving life at home, new technologies are being tested and incorporated into care facilities. Devices can enable physicians to interact with and observe their patients in separate locations, sometimes thousands of miles away. Robotic nurses have been tested in long-term care facilities and have been greeted enthusiastically by residents. Technology has enormous potential to change the way health care is provided, as well as the way people manage their own care, having a positive impact on cost and quality of care.
While technology has vast potential, Mr. Bodoff explained that many in the U.S. government are not focusing adequate attention on shaping regulations and strategies that foster its optimal implementation. He explained that many U.S. policies were written post-technology and need revision if technology is to be used to its full potential. In fact, many countries are way ahead of the United States in research, pilot and market stages of high-tech care products. For example, a South Korean company is marketing a mobile phone, which doubles as a diabetic monitor. Such a product could not be sold in the United States because of FDA regulations. Japan is perhaps the most advanced country in robotic innovation. A robotic teddy bear with a limited vocabulary is being tested in Japan to provide companionship and therapy to long-term care patients. Because the bear can converse with the patient, it can be designed transmit conversations back to caregivers, who can monitor voice patterns and cognitive skills of the patient. Japan is also testing a home-care robot called Wakamuru. With an extensive vocabulary and built-in mobile phone and camera the robot provides companionship and allows people to age at home safely because family members can view the home and interact with the older person through the lens of the robot. Mr. Bodoff also commended the Dutch for innovative use of technology in care facilities, including extensive use of telehealth networks and electronic monitoring devices.
CAST recently conducted a focus group based study in five U.S. cities to gauge Boomers’ opinions on using technology to assist with caring for their older parents. Respondents were largely concerned about the time and resource commitments needed to care for their aging parents. They were eager to find new solutions for helping them stay connected to their parents and updated on their health conditions and were quite accepting of trying new technologies to aid the process. In addition, the study found that people are largely willing to pay for technology services, with 50% of respondents willing to pay over $100 per month and 40% willing to pay up to $50 per month.
About CAST
CAST is leading the national charge to develop and deploy technologies that can improve the aging experience in America. It has four focus areas: Driving a national vision of how technologies can improve the quality of life for seniors while reducing health care costs; accelerating technology R & D pilots with seniors to prove out this vision; advocating to remove barriers to the rapid commercialization of proven solutions; and promoting national dialogue about standards to insure interoperability and widespread access to aging services technologies. CAST was established in 2003 and has become a national coalition of more than 400 technology companies, aging services organizations, research universities, and government representatives working together under the auspices of the Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA).
Russell Bodoff, Executive Director, CAST Russ Bodoff joined AAHSA in February 2002 with responsibilities for technology and business development, new partner opportunities, group purchasing program, distance learning and the AAHSA Development Council. He is responsible for the Center for Aging Services Technologies which he helped launch in November.
Bodoff came to AAHSA with over seven years of experience in building online businesses and 20 years experience in product and program development and voluntary standards and certification programs. He was responsible for developing and launching the world’s largest Internet consumer protection and privacy trustmark program. He has been asked to provide expert testimony on online consumer and privacy issues to the Senate Judiciary Committee, the House Commerce Committee and the European Union. Bodoff has been quoted in hundreds of publications and has appeared on CNN and CNNFN as an expert on Internet consumer issues. Russ has an MA in Education from New York University and a BS in Communications from Temple University.