Although innovators and businesses have been eager to tap into what’s sometimes called the “Longevity Economy”, older adults haven’t necessarily been central to the process of developing and assessing new technologies.
That is why I’m excited to share that I recently interviewed Richard Caro, Ph.D. for the Better Health While Aging podcast.
Richard, a co-founder of Tech-Enhanced Life, has spent the past few years facilitating ongoing “Longevity Explorer” meetings in which older adults come together to discuss interests, challenges, and new technologies.
On the podcast, we discuss how Tech-Enhanced Life has been engaging older adults in discussing and exploring new technologies, including:
- Why Richard and his colleagues decided to start these peer-to-peer technology conversations among older adults
- The types of technologies and challenges that older adults have brought up
- What some Longevity Explorers thought of Alexa and other technologies
- Why innovators and businesses should tap into the insights of older adults
- The importance of purpose and engagement in late life
- How to find or start a Longevity Explorers group in your area
- Tech-Enhanced Life’s recent work on helping companies co-design with older adults, and now also family caregivers
If you’re interested in how older adults interact with new technologies, I think you’ll enjoy this episode. You can find it here:
068 – Interview: Putting Older Adults at the Center of Technology Conversations
Have you noticed older adults feeling left out of the technology conversation?
If so, I’d love to know how you were able to invite them into the discussion. Please post a comment here, or on the show notes page for the podcast episode!
Right after we lost my dad, family and friends started communicating with me via text and Facebook to invite mom and I do dinner or parties. Mom is legally blind so she can’t participate in these means of communication. After I shared the 3rd invite with her, she said to me: “I feel so isolated. Everyone used to call me and invite us, but now they contact you. I can’t use this stuff.”
I immediately texted my cousin and asked her to call mom and invite us. I also let other family members know how important for them to continue to call mom. Some days it’s her only social interaction. I’m happy to say that everyone got it and know keeps mom in the loop, not just me.
Thanks for sharing your story. Glad to know you are helping your mother remain more socially connected.