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Boomers willing to
pay for technology
that allows parents, selves more independent living
BOSTON, July 12 /U.S. Newswire/ -– Baby boomers would spend up to
$100 each month on technology to ensure healthier living and
independence as they age.
In a series of focus groups with people age 50 to 65, the
Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) found that most
participants would be willing to pay $50 each month for electronic
monitoring technologies such as medication reminders to enable their
aging parents and themselves to live independently in the community.
About half of the participants said they would pay $100 per month.
In addition, participants were extremely interested in owning a
device that maintained their medical records and provided them with
control over this information.
The focus group results were presented yesterday at the
Healthcare Unbound conference by Kari Miner-Olson, chief information
officer of Front Porch and leader of the CAST research team that
conducted the focus groups.
"These findings should be a wake up call for technology
corporations, who are missing a tremendous potential market for
services," Miner said. "Every seven seconds a Baby Boomer turns 50.
The need for technologies to help these individuals age in place, on
their terms, is tremendous.
Some of the study's other key findings include:
-- Boomers believed it was important to maintain personal and
financial independence, remain healthy and not become a burden to
their children.
-- Technologies that are easy to use, integrated monitoring
and sensing solutions and included visual and audio capabilities
impressed participants.
-- Boomers are impressed by the possibilities that technology
could enrich communication, alleviate the challenges of daily life
and preserve social connectedness.
-- Participants are eager to have access to reliable
information and choices about care options.
"Improvements in technology for the aging could not only
improve their quality of care and life, but also reduce our nation's
ever-growing healthcare costs," said Helen Higgins, business
development manager of Hewlett-Packard and co-chair of the research
group. "In particular, electronic medical records can provide a
foundation for transforming how health care and aging services are
delivered in the U.S."
CAST held 10 focus groups in five states during March 2005.
Each focus group was led by the same CAST trained moderator and
videotaped for analyses by researchers. Additionally, participants
also completed a written questionnaire about their background and
experiences with technology.
After completing the study, researchers recommend that
companies, federal researchers, policy makers and consumers
investigate the role technology can play in improving efficiency and
effectiveness in the health care field.
"There is tremendous opportunity for public policy to help
move important innovations to the marketplace," said Russell Bodoff,
executive director of CAST. "Recent legislative and Administration
initiatives are a start, but we look forward to helping to achieve a
bold agenda that will revolutionize options for seniors."
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