Tech Innovations Announced in Conjunction With the White House Conference on Aging

I was reading a blog post from Aging in Place Technology Watch which offered a roundup of tech announcements coming out of the 2015 White House Conference on Aging. I was intrigued by the UberAssist project which according to the announcement on Uber’s website

Today, Uber will participate in the White House Conference on Aging and discuss Uber’s efforts to engage the senior community. At the event, we will announce the launch of a pilot program for community-based senior outreach. In cities across the country, Uber will offer free technology tutorials and free rides at select retirement communities and senior centers. Alongside public and private sector representatives, we hope to further the conversation about the way technology adoption can improve older adults’ day-to-day lives.

Uber has some projects going in Florida, for example, in Gainesville, Uber 

is working with the City …  to offer on-demand transportation for residents of two senior centers as part of a six month program. Anytime a resident at a participating senior center needs a ride, he or she can request one at an even more affordable rate because of support from the city. Free technology tutorials will be available throughout, so residents of the participating centers can feel comfortable and at ease using Uber. Uber is also piloting a similar senior ride program in partnership with the Town of Miami Lakes.

I also was interested to learn about the announcement from Phillips about the AgingWell Hub which is

a unique new collaborative research and development initiative for open innovation that will  examine and share solutions for aging well. The initiative will identify new  technologies, products and services, as well as provide thought leadership in  collaboration with older adults, caregivers, healthcare systems, payers, policy  makers, corporate innovators, entrepreneurs and academia.  The AWH will also  seek solutions to improve technology adoption among older adults and make aging  well a reality for more people, by enabling them to better connect with their  communities and healthcare providers. 

You can read all of the WHCOA partner press releases and announcements here.