A single decade means transformative change in the world of technology, particularly as regards health and aging in place. In 2008 AARP examined technology use of the 65+ population. The iPhone had just been released in June of 2007, so this survey did not consider smartphone use – there was no Digital Health “(a check engine light for your body!”); the Longevity Economy hadn’t been invented; Fitbit was a 2007 new clip-on tracker, and Facebook was still a campus toy. The survey was fielded in December of 2007 with a population of 907 adults aged 65-98 (mean age was 74) – rarely surveyed today, despite increasing lifespans.
The survey was conducted by showing responders still pictures of products from a Leading Age video. Only one third of the 65+ had broadband in the home (the rest used dial-up) or had gone online at the time of this survey. The older responders were less likely to search for health information online or to trust online sources. Responders were also, generally, less willing to use a computer to interact with people at a distance (Skype had just surfaced in 2003). Perhaps seeing the future, 6 in 10 thought that “personal computers will cost too much to install (62%), maintain (59%) and may not be something I need (58%).” The 65+ population thought favorably about home safety devices, including mitigating losses from impairment (vision, mobility) – but only for others, not for themselves.
By 2011, according to the report Healthy@Home 2.0, in-home PC was commonplace; 71% of the 65+ population were using PCs to communicate with family and friends. Caregivers were increasingly using technology to help them manage care (although they still objected to being called caregivers). By 2018, tech attitude differences between the 70+ and younger population were obvious: while 90% of all adults owned a computer or laptop, those aged 70+ were more likely to use them, along with feature phones, and smartphone adoption had reached just 55% in the older group. Among those under the age of 70, text messaging had taken over as the primary tool to stay connected, replacing email and telephone conversation, the latter of which was rarely used by younger individuals after 2015.
Telemedicine was positively perceived in 2008, but more than half of older adults said they would like to be able to monitor their health status at home, sending information to their doctor via telephone and email. By 2008, the VA had completed a study about the efficacy of home telehealth for veterans, in particular, aside from the claims of cost effectiveness, those that had the devices in-home felt more connected to their care providers. That was the good news. By 2019, the so-called tipping point in utilization by doctors has not been reached, though, perhaps it is just around the corner – the VA being the first to allow doctors to ‘practice’ across state lines. But even though adoption is improving, only one-third of hospitals and 45% of doctors actually offer telehealth services. However, an October poll showed that older adults would still prefer in-person visits and anyway, have generally not encountered telehealth offerings. Their expressed concerns were nearly identical to those noted in 2008 -- more than half did not know if their doctor offered and nearly half worried whether the technology would work.
Technology is providing solutions precisely when they are most needed. Aging in Place planning should consider and employ technological solutions where possible.
https://www.ageinplacetech.com/blog/considering-technology-adoption-aarp-s-2008-healthyhome
No comments:
Post a Comment