Some innovative Active Aging Tech offerings were on display at CES. Many of us take for granted our ability to verbally communicate our feelings and ideas. However, in the U.S. and Europe, a combined 10.4 million people suffer from speech disabilities including dysarthria — a condition in which the muscles used for speech are weak or difficult to control. This is often caused by cerebrovascular stroke, which affects 1% of individuals and 5% of people over 65. Voiceitt’s speech recognition technology is designed to understand non-standard and dysarthric speech. This voice recognition app enables real-time communication with others and works via an algorithm that learns each individual’s unique way to speak. Once Voiceitt is calibrated, the app listens for the user’s voice and can be operated hands-free.
Orba from Artiphon is a musical instrument and MIDI controller that lets anyone make music. Resembling a cross between a gaming controller and half a grapefruit, it translates the simple gestures we use on smartphones, trackpads and game controllers directly into sound. You can play it with one hand or both, your fingertips or thumbs.Users can strum an invisible guitar or tap out drums on eight touch-sensitive pads on top.
By the end of the decade, AARP says Americans over 50 are forecast to spend $84 billion on tech products.
During times of loss it can be difficult for friends and family to support their loved ones. Savo is an app that helps ease the burden of everyday tasks during times of grief. The app includes a series of questions and based on responses generates a customized task list tailored to each family including pet care and household chores.
Studies have found social isolation and loneliness are worse for health than obesity or smoking. The Alcove Playground is a developer ecosystem that makes it easy to integrate virtual reality (VR) experiences into AARP’s VR platform. In partnership with VR developer Rendever, the Alcove Playground encourages developers to create content that combats loneliness and provides opportunities for users to “play” with friends or family inside a virtual world.Further, new research demonstrates that singing has many health benefits, providing a full-brain, bi-hemispheric workout and positively regulating cortisol, dopamine and endorphins to elevate mood and reduce pain. SingFit Prime is a program created for adults in senior communities and nursing facilities. It allows even those with no musical experience to facilitate therapeutic group activities, tailored for their participants’ age and musical tastes as well as cognitive and physical health.
The CTA Foundation aims to link seniors and people with disabilities with technologies that enhance their lives. Learn more.
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