This document discusses technology options to help seniors live independently at home. It outlines a technology-ready family and home approach, where families discuss options and set up devices to help monitor and connect with their older family members. Example devices mentioned include a Presto email printer and BeClose advanced medical alert system. The document also describes the Happy@Home website that provides buyers' guides and reviews to help families choose the right technology solutions for their needs and the senior's compliance. The goal is to make aging easier, safer and help seniors feel more engaged through the use of these technologies.

1. TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIORS AT HOME
Who and What Makes it Work?

2. Susan Estrada, Aldea Communications

3. It’s Time to Get Wired!
Senior home tech for health, safety and
engagement
Tech-Ready Family
Tech-Ready Home
Buyers’ Guide and Reviews
Vendor Support
Deployment and Use

4. A Technology-Ready Family
The “talk”
“Independent living is not doing things by yourself; it is being in
control of how things are done.” Judy Heumann
Elders remember when microwave ovens, automatic washers and
dryers, and TVs & VCRs & DVDs were new
Compare today’s independent-living technologies to those inventions
Aging becomes easier, safer, and more dignified
Engagement by connecting to families, friends and the world
Peace of mind for adult children (and guilt assuaged)
Connected devices are often “team” devices
Elderly user
Family or paid caregiver
They won’t be successful unless there is participation

5. Here’s One Team Gadget for
Communication
Presto Email Printer – uses a phone line

6. Here’s another team device for
Advanced PERS – BeClose

7. From “I don’t need that” to this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUGArvKEiRw

8. A Technology-Ready Home
If it is a connected device, make sure that you
can connect it from the user’s location.
Check cellular coverage (on cell provider website)
Check Internet requirements (WIFI or Ethernet) and
Internet broadband availability
Check the type of regular phone line it needs
(sometimes only a regular telephone line will do)
Some devices need a phone line, power and wired
Internet broadband. Can be tough in older homes.

9. A Technology-Ready Home
Know your own and your person’s compliance and
usage issues – technology only works if it gets
used
A 30-day money back guarantee will help you try out
options at no cost
Routines for charging devices, filling medication
dispensers, etc. are important
Getting the family organized and onboard for care
and communications activities is important

10. What tech works? Happy@Home Approved
Web soft launch of
reviews of AIP tech
Buyer’s Guides
Product Reviews
We test, test, test
Buyer Comments
Community Q&A

11. Happy@Home Buyers’ Guides
PERS Guide
Questions to think about before you buy
In-home activity monitoring systems
Automated fall detection systems
Personal medical alarms
Simple and inexpensive solutions

12. Happy@Home Product Reviews
Technology Setup
Targeted Users Effectiveness
Comfort
Testing Method
Charging
Satisfaction,
Family/Caregiver
Effectiveness and Interface
Overall Usability
Extras Needed
Consumer Reviews Payment, Warranty
and Privacy Policy

13. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves
that technology can be confusing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAG39jKi0lI

14. Aldea Communications’ Happy@Home
Visit www.aldea.com for Happy@Home products
Visit www.HappyatHome.me for Happy@Home
reviews
Follow us on Twitter @AldeaCom
Contact Susan Estrada, susan@aldea.com,
760-705-8407
Visit www.agetechsd.org for the San Diego
Technology and Aging Coalition, Twitter:
sdagetech

15. The Elderly are Phobies, not Techies

16. Adult Children Decide, Elderly Pay
www.caregiving.org
Connected Caregiver
study