Changing Aging

Voice of America, which airs to 115 million people worldwide, did a very nice story on Ecumen’s visit to Capitol Hill a couple of weeks ago, where Kathy Bakkenist, COO and senior vice president of strategy and operations; and Ecumen customer Honor Hacker testified on aging and technology before members and staff of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.  You can read the story or listen to the radio broadcast below.

Listen to the VOA Story 

Aging and technology were the subjects of remarks by Ecumen customer Honor Hacker (pictured above viewing a QuietCare sensor in her home) and Ecumen’s COO and senior vice president of strategy and operations Kathy Bakkenist as they spoke before members of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging last week about Senate File 908. 

You can read Kathy’s and Honor’s testimony here.

This bill creates a nonpartisan congressionally mandated Consortium to evaluate the potential of technologies to help the U.S. meet the needs of our aging population. When passed, the consortium will become the first public-private partnership around technology and aging that goes beyond medical records to explore the potential of new technology to assist older adults and their caregivers in such areas as promoting independence, facilitating early disease detection, promoting greater support to caregivers and minimizing medication error.

Technology is going to play an increasing role in aging and the transformation of America for the Age Wave.

Christine Capecchi, a reporter with MinnPost.com, spent time with Honor Hacker, an Ecumen customer, yesterday (at left) at the Ecumen community of Lakeview Commons.  Here is Christina’s interesting story.

Honor and Kathy Bakkenist, Ecumen’s COO and senior vice president of strategy and operations, will be testifying tomorrow before members and staff of the Senate Special Committee on Aging on the subject of aging and technology.

Technology is playing a transformational role in aging services and senior housing, and that role will only grow with the age wave.

On January 30th, Kathy Bakkenist, (pictured left) Ecumen’s chief operating officer and senior vice president of strategy and operations, and Ecumen customer Honor Hacker (below left viewing a wireless QuietCare sensor in her apartment), will testify before members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and the Senate Medical Technology Caucus.

Look for these 10 senior housing development trends from 2007 to pick up even more steam in 2008 as the age wave gains force:

1.  Congregational Senior Housing:  People want to live in nurturning, vibrant communities.  Churches want to extend their ministries, strengthen their congregations and build community.  Congregational senior housing, such as the visionary ELCA project in Sandpoint, Idaho is a win-win.

2.  College Campus Senior Housing:  Lifelong learning is a key part of successful aging.  Look for more colleges to create intergenerational communities and see the benefits of senior learners and neighbors.