Aging Advances
Aging Advances
September 2007
United States: MIT Media Lab Develops Intergenerational, Therapeutic Technologies
Originally designed as a music education tool for children, Hyperscore is now evolving into an intergenerational technology used by older people in clinical and therapeutic environments.
Australia: Older Australians Tackle Climate Change
In Australia, a country hit acutely by the effects of climate change, a number of like-minded seniors have organized to make a difference in their communities.
Germany: Victoria, a Very Smart Wheelchair
The 'very smart' wheelchair, dubbed Victoria, utilizes supervised navigation technology, through which the user can direct the chair's movement or leave it up to autonomous computer direction.
Canada: Senior Star Search in Full Swing
If the Zimmers are ever recruiting new band members, they may want to look to Canada-a country currently in search of its "most musical senior."
France: Face-to-Face Interaction Just a Phone Call Away
A new videophone is being marketed towards older persons who want to keep face-to-face contact with their friends and families.
United States: Research Initiative Integrates Entire Home for Aging in Place
The Aware Home Research Initiative at Georgia Tech University in Atlanta takes an unique approach to research by integrating aging in place technologies in a model home.
Australia: New Strategic Plan Promotes "Healthy and Meaningful Ageing"
The joint initiative by the Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing and Australian Capital Territory outlines new wellness goals for Canberrans.
July 2007
United Kingdom: The Zimmers - The Great Granny Chart Invasion
The Zimmers, a group of 40 British seniors with a combined age of over 3,000 years, have come together to share their talents with all generations. Their extraordinary cover of The Who's well-known My Generation has become a worldwide media sensation.
Brazil: Intergenerational Solidarity in the Cidade de Deus
While governments of rapidly aging societies such as Brazil work to meet the challenges of providing health care, housing, and economic support, there are also inspirational efforts by individuals making important headway at the local level.
Puerto Rico: Major Study Of Older Puerto Rican Health Conditions
Collaboration between two universities has resulted in groundbreaking research into the health conditions of older Puerto Ricans: a much needed resource for a country undergoing a significant demographic transition.
June 2007
Bahamas: Passport to a New Healthier Lifestyle
The Ministry of Health of the Bahamas recently established the National Healthy Lifestyle Initiative, an effort to prevent diseases by improving and sustaining good health in its citizens.
May 2007
Chile: Government Initiatives in Support of Older Chileans
The National Service for Older People (Servicio Nacional del Adulto Mayor-SENAMA) works to provide a range of programs for the development and financing of initiatives and organizations dedicated to the needs of the older population.
El Salvador: A Month of Festivals for the 50+
January is a special month for older people in El Salvador. Since 1992, legislation has recognized January as the Month of the Older Person.
St. Kitts and Nevis: A Special Valentines
Two organizations in St. Kitts and Nevis have partnered to deliver special valentines to seniors.
Mexico: Government Programs for Quality Health Care
INAPAM (Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultas Mayores), the department within the Mexican government focusing on the older population, offers a range of programs aimed to deliver older citizens quality, affordable health care.
March 2007
International: Robots Roll in an Aging Society
From robotic caregivers that are controlled by your cell phone and able to order a pizza to a power suit that amplifies human strength to help lift objects or hospital patients -companies and research institutes around the world are developing revolutionary technologies in response to an aging society.
United States: TV For the Active Retiree
In September 2006, CN8 The Comcast Channel began rolling out Retirement Living TV-a four-hour per day line up of new programming with the older viewer in mind.
Netherlands: Dutch Unveil 'Varibel' - The Eyeglasses That Hear
Based on technology developed at Delft University of Technology, Dutch company Varibel has combined eyeglasses and hearing aids.
China: Blogging and Web Page Design - Seniors Break Down the Digital Divide
In China, organizations are breaking down the digital divide by assisting older persons utilize the internet.
Germany/Finland: German Foundation Awards Finnish Program for Active Aging
The Finnish National Programme for Ageing Workers (FINWAP) earned the 2006 Carl Bertelsmann Prize from Germany's Bertlsmann Stiftung (Foundation).