96 percent of older Americans say it’s important to be as independent as possible as they get older but only 21 percent of respondents plan to incorporate technology solutions, or to remodel and retrofit their homes in order to stay in place as they age. This according to research conducted by Philips and the Global Social Enterprise Initiative (GSEI) at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.

Ageing Americans are willing to invest in new technology for things that they use regularly and are most comfortable with:

• Half of respondents currently use technology to refill prescriptions. They also use it to access government services (45 percent) connect with doctors (41 percent). 58 percent would be interested in stove tops or ovens that automatically shut off to help them live at home as they get older. Respondents also are interested in a single remote control to manage everything in the home (46 percent) and driverless cars (41 percent).
• As they age, respondents feel the three most important factors for communities are high-speed internet access (87 percent), nearby grocery stores (83 percent), and access to hospitals and medical centers (77 percent).
• The most important factors for home design features are a low-maintenance exterior (58 percent), master bedrooms and baths on the first floor (54 percent), and effective lighting throughout the house (54 percent).

Our Age-Friendly app can be used to measure and monitor Cities and Homes. In the words of Bill Novelli, GSEI founder and Georgetown McDonough professor, “The long-term, intergenerational benefits to universal design and early technology adoption extend beyond the aging population. For example, structural and technological updates can help injured individuals of all ages move with ease,”