LeadingAge's CAST Debuts Tools and Insights on Latest Tech to Aid Older Adults in Social Engagement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) today announces the launch of its latest resource created to educate aging services providers and LeadingAge members on the technologies designed for the long-term and post-acute care market.

The negative impact of social isolation—the experienced or perceived lack of personal relationships with family, friends and acquaintances who can be relied upon—is a health concern for people of all ages, but becomes more pronounced as people age. Its prolonged health risk is significant, matching the effect of smoking 15 cigarettes a day!

"This is a real problem that older adults, caregivers, and providers want to—and need to—address. Fortunately, a growing number of companies are responding to this market demand with innovative technological solutions and services," said Majd Alwan, Ph.D., LeadingAge Senior Vice President of Technology and Executive Director of CAST. "From relatively simple applications, such as text and picture chats, to the more complex, like virtual reality companion avatars, and robots, tech-based tools and solutions can help. This resource helps providers and consumers alike select solutions that meet their needs."

CAST's new offering includes:

A whitepaper and interactive guide explaining the issue and its significance to LeadingAge members, aging services providers, and consumers.

A product selection matrix compiled by CAST compares and contrasts 40 different products developed for older adults and long-term and post-acute care objectively, based on functionalities, features and capabilities that each product offers

An online selection tool to help prospective buyers/users select the tools and approaches best suited to their needs

Provider case studies providing real-life examples of a technology solution implemented by aging services providers, with details on approach, implementation strategy, outcome and lessons learned

To participate in future CAST portfolio development, please contact Scott Code, Associate Director of CAST, at [email protected], or 202-508-9466.

About the LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies

The LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) is focused on accelerating the development, evaluation, and adoption of emerging technologies that will transform the aging experience. An international coalition of more than 400 technology companies, aging-services organizations, businesses, research universities, and government representatives, CAST works under the auspices of LeadingAge, an association of 6,000+ members and partners that include nonprofit organizations representing the entire field of aging services, 38 state partners, hundreds of businesses, consumer groups, foundations and research partners.

Contact: Lisa Sanders, [email protected], 347-385-2218

SOURCE LeadingAge

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