Cathie Ramey
RedwoodAge.com

Boomers and their parents think technology can help keep elders safe in their homes, but cost stands in the way, according to two separate reports.

Technology like this Celery email system can help elders stay in touch in their homes.

Three-quarters of the seniors and 80 percent of their caregiving children were willing to pay only $50 a month for installing and maintaining such services, according to studies by AARP and the Center for Aging Services Technology (CAST). Both studies were funded by the Blue Shield of California Foundation.

"The ground is fertile for the use of caregiving technology to flourish," said Elinor Ginzler, AARP's senior vice president for liveable communities. "Almost nine in 10 older Americans want to be able to stay in their own homes and they are willing to use technology that can help them do that. Cost, however, is the elephant in the room. How to pay remains a big obstacle."

It shouldn't surprise anyone that cost would be a concern. Inadequate cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits coupled with skyrocketing health care costs. a roller-coaster economy, and insufficient retirement savings leave many elders short of cash to meet basic expenses.

Another stumbling block may be boomers' mistaken belief that their parents won't accept technology. Eight out of 10 caregivers thought they'd have a hard time convincing parents to use technology. But nine out of 10 seniors said they'd be willing to use it if it helped them stay in their homes, the studies showed. 

Easier Caregiving
Technology will be able to ease the burden of caregiving for both family and paid caregivers by monitoring the elder's movements, their home environment, and their health status, according to CAST, which is part of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.  

Factors like the usability, affordability and the availability of various technologies will help determine how widespread they'll become.

"Our study shows that we can create a network of technology-driven services to help elders stay at home and achieve better outcomes, said CAST director Majd Alwan.  "Technology can help create a new paradigm for caring for elders, and consumers should be as aware of these options as they are aware of their cell phone plans or cable television offerings."