Burbank Firm Testing New Technology For Seniors

Intel, GE and Philips are chasing what could one day be a $20 billion market for technologies to help the elderly stay out of nursing homes and remain independent longer. But figuring out which gadgets can do the trick, and which are simply too troublesome and confusing for the elderly, is no small task. Burbank-based Front Porch thinks it can help. The senior living company, with 10 residential communities in Southern California serving more than 6,000 people, wants to be a testing ground for some of the latest gadgets emerging from technology companies. Its two-year-old nonprofit, the Front Porch Center for Technology Innovation and Wellbeing, identifies, tests, improves and diffuses promising new technologies such as cell phones that deliver medication reminders and computer games that keep Alzheimer’s at bay. “This industry is in its infancy,” said Kari Olson, chief information officer of Front Porch and the visionary behind the center. “Our vision is to help get it off the ground.” As the first of the Baby Boomers turned 65 last year, the number of Americans 65 or older is expected to double by 2030 and will represent 20 percent of the population, according to the Census Bureau. This “Silver Tsunami” has companies salivating for what many say is the newest frontier in technology: the elderly market. Too often, however, these companies are missing the mark, Olson said. The problem, she said, often comes down to simple things such as tablet computers that do not respond to an older person’s touch or medication management systems that are too clunky. She believes Front Porch could play an important role by testing the products with its elderly residents and working with technology vendors to develop and perfect their products. Five years ago, Santa-Monica-based Dakim Inc. reached out to Front Porch to test its new “brain fitness” product, a touch screen computer console and software program, which features a series of cognitive exercises created by Founder and CEO Dan Michel to help his father who had Alzheimer’s disease. Partnering with Dakim helped Front Porch discover that, not only was there a huge need, but seniors were open to exploring new technologies. That was an important discovery, Olson said. Many people assume the elderly are too scared to go near computer screens or touch-pads. The Dakim partnership helped Olson realize that as a senior housing community, Front Porch could be a critical partner in developing the tools as the market expands from roughly $2 billion today to what analyst Laurie Orlov, former Forrester Research analyst and publisher of the “Aging in Place Technology” blog, believes could be a $20 billion market by 2020. “There are lots of factors driving this market,” she said. “Lower cost, higher speeds, the demographics, and ease of use.” But there remain challenges, she noted, including the fact that many designers are still designing products for themselves. “Look at the iPad,” Orlov said. “The symbols are tiny. They are not exactly designed for shaky hands.” Since launching in 2009, the nonprofit has tested numerous projects, from fun and games like using Nintendo Wii bowling to help seniors stay agile and socially connected, to collaborations with the Intel/GE startup, Care Innovations, to try out new products. An important test launching this month is with CareSpeak Communications Inc., a company based in Rochester, N.Y. that developed a two-way messaging solution aimed at the growing medication management market. CareSpeak sends patients or caregivers a specific medication reminder several times a day, then asks the recipient to push a certain number on their phone to confirm receipt of the message. As companies large and small chase this emerging market, Olson said they face a two-fold challenge: to lower the cost and to offer an integrated suite of products that senior living communities like Front Porch can easily implement. “The sweet spot of this opportunity is at the integration of these technologies into a suite of products that are tested, trusted and available the way seniors need them,” said Olson. Companies — even Intel and GE — are still not there. But with any luck, she said, Front Porch can help guide them there.