• by Gordon Plutsky , Columnist, September 12, 2016

A few months back, we introduced the idea of the longevity economy. The convergence of new technology and the desire for boomers to age gracefully is going to generate many new business opportunities. Boomers have embraced personal technology, and they are as attached to their mobile devices as any card carrying millennial. Last week’s Apple announcements provided a glimpse of where this is heading and how it plays into the longevity economy. 

While the iPhone 7 got much of the headlines for eliminating the headphone jack (a technology as old as today’s youngest boomers) it was the second-generation Apple Watch that caught my eye in addition to the new W1 chip used to pair devices wirelessly. It is the next step to a wireless & wearable world that will make some of the products and services aimed at boomer’s well being even more powerful. Here are just some of new tech-powered categories already here and coming our way.

Medication Management Powered by apps and cloud computing, these services can help boomers with pill refills and reminders, enable monitoring by caregivers, send notifications and provide educational resources. Medication regimens can be complex for some people, and new tools can help keep it organized. 

Wearable Sensors/Trackers While everyone thinks of fitness trackers and the quantified self, this can become something more tangible to aging boomers. Companies are introducing sensors attached to headsets that track brain waves to monitor brain health. Sensors also track heart health and the data can be shared with doctors and caregivers. In addition, there are dozens of fitness and diet trackers to choose from to help boomers maintain peak physical condition. 

Convenience apps One of they keys to improving quality of life is helping seniors age at home and maintain independence. This can be difficult when driving and/or carrying heavy packages becomes an issue. Apps such as grocery delivery Instacart can help boomers eat healthy even if they have problems getting to a store. Or they can take an Uber car or use TaskRabbit to get things done. If accessibility to mobile devices becomes hard, Apple’s Siri voice command and Amazon’s Echo can be used to navigate the web and order products. Down the road advances in artificial intelligence will make voice controlled assistants indispensable for seniors. 

Monitoring for Emergencies While the goal is aging at home and independence, there is still a need for in-home monitoring and emergency services. Sensors and apps can help family members and medical professionals keep tabs on at risk seniors.

Social Apps One of the keys to living a long and happy life is social engagement and community support. Social services and apps can keep boomers in touch with family and friends and help them find communities of like-minded people to communicate with on a regular basis. For boomers with specific physical conditions, there are online patient communities and peer-to-peer support and counseling web sites. 

These are just a few of examples of how mobile platforms, sensors, wireless networks and cloud computing will change what it means to age in America. Technological advances like TV, computers and the Internet made the boomers unique as they used these new products to change the way people live. Now, boomers will embrace tech to show us how to age in ways that our great-grandparents could not imagine.