While millennials are the primary target for smart phones and smart home technology, the older American population is not as tech-adverse as commonly thought. According to Forbes, the baby boomer and senior populations are an "enthusiastic and growing market" for smart home features, which can make living independently easier, safer, and healthier.
“There is a misconception that older adults are tech-adverse. In fact, technology is already a central part of life for older Americans, and the connection with their devices is only expected to grow,” observes Rodney Harrell, AARP’s vice president of livable communities and long term services and supports. “Our recent survey looks at technology use among adults age 50 and older and finds that one in seven own a home assistance device, such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa. Moreover, more than 80% of Americans age 50 to 64 have smartphones, which is about the same as the population at large."
Alex Capecelatro, co-founder and CEO of the smart home technology luxury brand, Josh.ai, sees this in his firm’s business. “Many of our clients are 65-plus, with quite a few 75-plus. They find voice control simpler than navigating a complex app. This helps with mobility, poor vision and simply not having to learn something new.”
“There are new innovations in the home coming out every day that can help older adults manage things like their medications, connect with friends and family, and even connect with community services,” Harrell says. Many of the millennials mentioned above – and their Gen X siblings – can use their smart technology to support parents who need some assistance at home. “Family caregivers are often looking for ways to save time and money with everyday tasks,” the AARP executive adds. ”So grocery delivery, transportation, and even scheduling smartphone apps can be very useful.”
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