COVID-19 has brought attention to the existing senior care system, but new technologies are transforming home-based senior care into the future.
FREMONT, CA: COVID-19 has shed light on the current senior care system, but new technologies are transforming the future of home-based senior care.
The great corporations of the 20th century result from the labor of baby boomers who have attained senior citizenship. Now, at a time when society must extend all necessary assistance to the elderly, it finds itself in an embarrassingly bright spotlight.
The number of available healthcare assistants per senior is decreasing. This decline is attributable to the growing population of individuals aged 60 and older. This cohort will grow at a 56 percent faster rate than the rest of the world's population over the next decade, exacerbating the problem.
Technology is one method for bridging this unhealthy gap between seniors and technology. Considering the prevalence of sensors, wearables, and intelligent health IT systems, the opportunity cost for entrepreneurs who fail to invest in future technology for the elderly could be substantial.
Although healthcare employment will increase at a steady rate of 15 percent between 2019 and 2029, this growth rate will be dwarfed by the aging population. Over the next 50 years, the ratio of caretakers to caregivers for the vulnerable sub-segment of the elderly will reach 3:1. The elderly care technology could breathe a sigh of relief for an overworked healthcare system.
Automating Medical Notifications
According to Pew Research, approximately 12 million Americans over the age of 65 live alone. In this status quo, the best technology for seniors would be one that provides timely alerts. In the form of smartphone apps, wearable devices, and homecare voice units, this technology for the elderly is currently gaining widespread exposure and adoption.
