Posted by Peter Radsliff on Tue, Sep 22, 2009
Although the term nana-technology was coined in 2004 by Professor Andrew Carle of George Mason University, a pertinent question is whether this type of technology, focused on improving the quality of life for older adults, is working? As the country faces questions of fundamental access to health care, is the quality of life for seniors being lost in the shuffle?
As the CEO of a company that creates a "nana" technology, I see more and more pressure put on families trying to raise their own kids while helping take care of aging parents (the so-called “sandwich generation”). I also see more and more companies springing up with different variants of products and services to address this burgeoning market. But what I don’t see is any of those companies gaining any serious attention within the debate about restructuring healthcare.
When you consider the cost savings of aging-in-place versus moving a senior to an assisted living facility, even a delay of one MONTH would pay for a LIFETIME of Presto computerless email service. Considering that many caregivers live far from their parents, one would think that a tool that allows them to schedule medication or appointment reminders, send Google maps or web articles—not to mention photos of the grandkids—would be of high importance to help parents age-in-place while easing the work of caregiving. Besides, whether at home or in an institution, enabling extended family members to be only an email away from Grandma or Grandpa is priceless.
So if the value is so obvious, why isn't the government looking to Presto or any of the other nana-technology companies to help drive down the costs of caring for our aging population? Is it because the greatest generation is also the invisible generation, like so many elders have become before in American society?
Let's stop talking about “death panels,” and start talking about LIFE-panels, and investigate those nana-technologies, from Presto and others, that are ready and waiting to improve the quality of life for both grandparents and their sandwiched kids. Let's get the word out, and help millions of families in need know that help is available if they need it.