A new report from US News & World Report reveals two important priorities for adults aged 55 or more years. The first is that most (93%) see aging in place as an “important goal.” The second is that about half (49%) view aging as a primary reason for adopting assistive technologies.
The surveys, conducted in 2023 and 2024, highlight the growing trend of older Americans embracing technology to maintain independence and remain at home. The results also offer a mixed bag for providers across the continuum.
To be sure, home care largely will benefit as tech tools emerge and improve.
But senior living communities and nursing homes could see move-ins delayed or prevented, thanks to tech tools that might help undermine their necessity.
The US News survey found the most-valued tech for aging in place were medical or health-related mobile apps, service-related apps such as those for food and grocery delivery, wearable health trackers, assistive smart-home devices such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa, hearing-assistance devices, and medical alert systems. That tech was seen as particularly beneficial for addressing general aging, mobility impairments, hearing and vision impairments, and cognitive challenges.
