Devices, Tools, Objects (p1):
Research, explorations, discussions, and products and resources relating to Devices, Tools, Objects: from Tech-enhanced Life.
Devices, Tools, Objects relating to better quality life as grow older.
For Older Adults, their Families, and Caregivers
— and for Companies Creating Innovations Related to Aging.
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Analysis & Exploration | Explorer Discussions | Resources and Products shared by our Explorers.
Featured Guides & Reports: Devices, Tools, Objects
Medical Alert Systems: Help!
We kept getting asked "which medical alert system is best?"; and "how do I choose the right medical alert system for me?". This independent, objective, hands-on research tries to answer those questions. If you are looking for a medical alert system, either for yourself or for an older adult such as a parent, this piece of research is for you.
Caring from Afar: Guide to Home Sensor Systems
Read our report on this new category of products, designed to help seniors stay at home longer, and to help their families worry about them less. There are important lessons to be learned about which ones work, and for which types of circumstance they are optimal.
Aging in Place: Why Technology & Gadgets Matter
In my mind, there is a compelling argument that the right gadgets and technology can make aging in place more successful and less expensive. And by more successful, I am thinking in particular of higher quality of life, more autonomy, and less dependence on the kindness of strangers. I don't think this argument gets made much in the media or by the aging services industry though. So here it is.
Gerontech Products We Wish Existed
Here are some high-impact, gerontechnology product concepts that do not yet exist as commercially available products — although the technology to enable them already largely exists. Our hope for products like these: to significantly postpone the time at which frailty and functional disability get in the way of "living life".
DIY Technology Solutions to Things Bothering My Aging Relatives
My relatives and their friends are in their 70's and 80's and 90's now, and I am finding they have some recurring "problems" that get in the way of life being as enjoyable as I think it should be. I have come up with a variety of DIY "Tech Solutions" to these problems that I have implemented for them. I hope they will be useful for you too.
How to Find "Whatsername" After All These Years?
Peter Paul and Mary had a hit single decades ago called “Whats-her-name.” The chorus goes: “I wonder whatever happened to whatshername.” Your PC might help you find not only whatshername, but also whatshisname too. Here is how to do it.
An Internet Enabled Life
Having used technology all my working life, and now being retired, I notice that many of my peers are missing out on some of the benefits that come with appropriate use of the latest technology.
In this first of a series of articles, I start by just describing my Internet-enabled life. In other parts of the series, we offer essays describing a myriad of ways the Internet can enrich your day. I want to get you “hooked” to the Internet.
Can Alexa Help Fight Loneliness and Isolation?
Perhaps it seems counterintuitive that an artificial intelligence(AI) might help combat loneliness and isolation. But as our Longevity Explorers evaluate the latest version of Alexa, paired with the Amazon Echo Show, which has an excellent video call capability, we are starting to see great potential for these products to do just that.
And while there are a variety of initiatives evaluating the potential of interactions between older adults and Alexa (Amazon's artificial intelligence) as a way to reduce loneliness, we think the communication capabilities of the Echo Show may make possible deeper human to human interactions (with friends and family for example) as well.
My Mild Hearing Loss and Air Pods Pro
This is about my experience with different types of earbuds, especially Apple earbuds. In particular, it is about a discovery I made that let me use the AirPods to compensate for my mild hearing loss.
If you like listening to music or podcasts, or regularly talk on your smartphone, you... ....... Read more
Fridge for Forgetful Senior
We have several problems relating to a fridge and a forgetful senior who lives alone. We worry that she will leave the fridge open by mistake and that the food will spoil and make her sick. We worry that she forgets to throw out food as it gets old, and that the food in her fridge includes food... .........Read more
Forget to Turn Water Off
As people grow older they often become somewhat forgetful. We start to worry about questions like "Did I leave the water running?" How do we make it so these sorts of questions are not things that we need to worry about? .........Read more
Hearing Loss and Loud TV: Explorer Report
Problem: My wife has lost some of her hearing and she turns up the TV volume loud to hear.
Solution: We bought a BeHear Proxy Neck Speaker and a HearLink Plus in a bundle.
Here is my report of our experience with... ....... Read more
Smart Home Share & Learn: SF Explorers
When asked which smart home devices they have, San Francisco Explorers answer with more than a few of their personal favorites. .........Read more
Hearing: TV or Movies
Ever have trouble understanding what TV or movie characters are saying over the background music? Know anyone who turns the TV up so loud that it is annoying?
We are exploring gadgets that can help in situations like this. Ideally without being ugly, stigmatizing, or super expensive — if... ....... Read more
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VoiceBooster Voice Amplifier
VoiceBooster is a small portable amplifier with a microphone and charger.
Go Go Quincy
Go Go Quincy is a website designed to provide easily accessible tech support services to the 55-plus market.
FireAvert - Stove Automatic Shut-Off
FireAvert is a device intended to protect the user from dangerous stove fires by turning off power (or gas) to the sstove when it hears a smoke alarm.
Toch Sleepsense, bed sensor
Toch Sleepsense is a non-wearable sleep tracker designed to allow caregivers to monitor the safety of their loved ones while asleep. It also lets you monitor your own sleep.
Bose SoundControl Hearing Aids
Bose SoundControl Hearing Aids, when used with the Bose Hear app, are intended to adjust the audio signal to the needs of the user. These are OTC hearing aids that do not require an audiologist fitting.
Olive Hearables
The Olive Smart Ear is a device that combined with a smartphone app is intended to filter out background noise for a clearer hearing experience.
BeHear Hearing Amplifiers
BeHear is a range of wearable Bluetooth hearing amplifiers designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Toch Smarturns: Intelligent Stove Knobs
Knobs you can add to an existing stove that "time" how long the stove has been on and alert if it is left unattended for "too long".
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