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A fast-growing number of U.S. homes are equipped with some sort of voice technology, whether  Amazon Alexa or Google Home, or even Siri talking out of turn from the depths of our pockets. These devices are normally used to tell us the weather or to play our favorite songs without us having to lift a finger, yet, their potential is much greater when viewed through the lens of accessibility. 

We are on the cusp of the ‘Silver Wave’, a quaint name for the rise in the senior population taking hold across America as the Baby Boomer generation ages out of the workforce and into retirement. According to Business Insider, Boomers will age faster than in-home caregivers will be available, resulting in the demand for personalized care outpacing the supply and leading to a potential crisis over the next decade. One of the most interesting ways of addressing and solving this issue has emerged through the early demonstration of the effectiveness of voice technology in supporting accessibility in the homes of older adults living alone. 

The advancements of voice recognition technology are well-positioned to aid seniors in the long run; according to AgingInPlace, seniors are using voice recognition for a number of everyday tasks including ordering groceries, filling prescriptions, accessing information and, in case of an emergency, requesting medical assistance. In theory, this technology provides seniors with limited mobility a cost-effective alternative to in-home human assistance.

Alexa isn’t the first talk of senior care becoming digital. Business Insider states that the future of senior care is digital. It will bring down cost, improve care quality and create a more sustainable model for elderly care. While technology is becoming one of the most prevalent aspects of every part of our lives, how are senior care brands going to incorporate technology into their services to make care more efficient with less caregivers being available?

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Nick Powills

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Nick Powills

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Nick Powills, CFE, founded No Limit Agency in 2008 and serves as Chief Brand Strategist for the Chicago-based firm. No Limit is a full-service communications agency that establishes and elevates brands by bridging Public Relations, Social Media, Marketing, Advertising, Digital, and a lot of creativity, to best strategize well-rounded and successful campaigns for 50+ global franchise brands. By presenting visionary ideas and building real relationships, No Limit is able to create effective media branding strategies to help companies grow. Nick currently leads a staff of writers, media strategists, designers, social media experts and digital producers in an office think-tank where brands are humanized for strong, compelling media stories. Prior to starting No Limit at the age of 27, Nick spent four years working at a franchise PR agency where he mastered the art of building rapport with media outlets and creating newsworthy pitches for earned media placements. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Drake University in Iowa.

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