According to Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, "Cities have something for everyone if and only if they are made for everyone." This statement, an inspiring call to action for youth and adults alike, raises important questions about the experience of aging in urban settings:
How can cities be active partners in supporting longer, healthier lives? And how will parents judge their city in terms of the smart solutions available? Are they relevant to them and do they improve quality of life?
Older people are increasingly trying to age in place and at home. They remain productive in the labor market and express new attitudes towards health, housing, transport and education. They also cut deals, stay active and contribute to their communities. The city is at the forefront of this revolution. With the number of people age 65 and older doubling by 2050 and 83% of American adults age 65 and older living in metropolitan areas, cities could become incubators for healthy aging.
What's new in smart city research?
A new study shows that more and more cities are moving towards the "smart city" concept, which uses various digital technologies to improve the quality of life. These include a mix of Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), blockchain and other advanced smart city solutions.
The researchers present an example from a medium-sized city that illustrates smart city issues from the residents' perspective. After evaluating citizen participation and levels of citizen participation, the most important conclusion is that citizens perceive smart city services positively, if the quality of life is improved through their implementation. At the same time, although citizens are aware of the implemented smart services, they do not use them fully, which may be due to their low attractiveness, lack of promotion by the city, or lack of equipment availability. Ultimately, residents were satisfied with the implemented smart solutions, but more efforts are needed to demonstrate how these innovations affect residents' health and well-being, especially the elderly.
Older people can benefit from technology-enhanced living, which means quality of life is enhanced by technology. But innovative solutions are needed to implement new sustainable and cost-effective solutions for healthy aging and independent living for the elderly. The researchers also explain that new technological paradigms, such as the Internet of Things and smart cities, can become important drivers of innovation. For example, recent studies have shown that smart cities can assess early signs of vulnerability by deploying seamless IoT-based systems. And it doesn't stop there.
Digital innovations, such as the Internet of Things, also include new technologies that can help caregivers connect with parents, provide platforms for playing online games with others, or use virtual reality to help people from their own comfort. Continue to explore the world from their home. In addition, voice services can encourage deeper interactions with family and friends through voice and video calls. These connections are crucial, so enhancing them digitally can help enhance face-to-face interactions.
The promise of digital solutions
Many digital transformations and social innovations are still untapped. But we know the potential to tackle social challenges and improve outcomes from healthcare to poverty, loneliness and social exclusion. While promising solutions exist in our cities, communities and homes, continued innovation is critical for urban aging. As the researchers point out, they all come together to improve the quality of services for urban residents, visitors and businesses and build a better future for cities.
MATTER, a leading health innovation hub and incubator, did just that when it recently opened applications for a new accelerator for entrepreneurs navigating care or improving caregiver wellness. The initiative is the second annual Accelerated Innovation in Aging program, and this year it will provide startups with guidance, resources and a personalized learning program to help them develop their solutions and refine their value proposition. But MATTER is not the only organization in this space
The Hatchery, AARP's innovation lab, is an innovation accelerator that works with startups and investors to find and scale great ideas for changing the human age. Their mission is simple: bring together the best and most creative entrepreneurs to share ideas on how to put people 50+ in the spotlight while developing new products and services. Through these and other unique programs, cities and communities can explore and capitalize on technological innovations that leave no one behind. This is a difficult task, but achievable through trust, transparency and shared decision-making with the community. Sensitivity to cultural and social differences cannot be ignored either, as it helps to bridge the gap between innovation and marginalized groups.
With life expectancy increasing and birth rates falling, population aging will not go away, at least for now. Cities can play a role in using technology to support healthy lifestyles and effectively engage older people in creativity and communication.