Ask a professional what he or she pictures for their retirement as far as technology goes, and they might say something like fishing pole and RV. Our society is predisposed to assume seniors aren’t interested in or capable of using the latest technology, and retirees may even express a lack of interest in innovations. Well a lot of developers are realizing that this is becoming less and less true as tech is becoming more user-friendly, and more far-reaching in what it can achieve.
A recent article from The Wall Street Journal[1] outlines a variety of current and future technologies and services as they relate to retirement. They range from the smart-house-we-were-promised-50-years-ago innovations to tech that is already out there that some of our clients living near our offices in the Newport Beach area may want to fit into their retirement planning. Here are some highlights:
- Individuals or couples who may want a little extra income, or simply a change of pace can take advantage of peer-to-peer services like Uber or AirBnB.
- Staying connected with friends and family is easier than ever with social media, and sites which cater to older adults like Connected Living Inc. and OurTime.com, are continuing to crop up.
- Soon it will be possible to buy and wear smart clothes, which can detect and record activity levels, and can alert family members in the event of an emergency.
- Self-driving cars will certainly increase mobility for those who don’t feel comfortable driving.
- The ever-increasing ease of telecommuting opens up possibilities for work after retirement.
- The Internet of Things—the connected web of appliances and everyday objects that use the internet to transmit various information—will play a big part in the house of the future, and this technology can help keep seniors be more mobile, stay healthy, eat better,
Although the future holds very cool prospects for technology that helps us with problems related to ageing, I was most drawn to the technology thats related to retirement, innovations that can improve the quality of life of individuals after work through promoting interaction and reducing isolation.
It would be a great thing for the available technologies we have at our disposal to support and even inspire the retirement planning of workers and retirees out there. Living in Newport Beach is a blessing, as it is easy to access new technologies. Innovations in communication are going to continually be made, and the big difference that you can make in your mindset if you’re about to retire is to make an effort to stay abreast of what is available. Think creatively about what would make your life better; the chances are that there may be something to help you already out there—and if not, it may be just around the corner.
[1] Coughlin, Joseph F., “How Technology Will Transform Retirement.” The Wall Street Journal. 29 Nov. 2015. Web.