What’s the standard for being “old” these days? Does the cliché “age is just a number” hold any weight? When you’re looking at life expectancies in the US, you’ll see that that “number” is increasing fairly rapidly! In a span of just the last 40 years, life expectancy has grown by over five years. When you’re talking about a population of over 300 million people, even 0.1% is significant. So, what’s the reason for this? One of the main reasons is that innovations in healthcare and technology have decreased the likelihood of death from major diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Lets look at some of the cool, new advances in healthcare and technology that are helping us humans live longer.

Future of Healthcare

One-Stop Shop

Amazon made shopping more convenient, Netflix made entertainment more convenient and now Walmart is making healthcare more convenient! Recently opening their first health center, Walmart is changing the way we utilize healthcare. Similar to a shopping mall, Walmart is opening centers where “…customers can get primary care, vision tests, dental exams and root canals; lab work, X-rays and EKGs; counseling; even fitness and diet classes.” This all is at a much less cost to the consumer, similar to the standard Walmart model. Just one more way you can save money at Walmart!

The Human Genome Project

In 2003, The Human Genome Project announced that they had sequenced around 20,000 human genes that makeup our DNA. Using this info, the healthcare industry has begun to see a shift toward “precision medicine”. Precision medicine is an approach in disease treatment that takes the individual variability of genes into account. As we learn more about which genes are linked to certain diseases, we’re able to create more targeted treatments and prevention strategies. In fact, nearly 2,000 disease genes have been discovered.

One of the more significant applications of genomics has been the creation of databases that map the genetic biomarkers for over 30 different types of cancers. According to an article by National Geographic, “Such databases could deliver a definitive diagnosis in seconds, and even recommend targeted treatments based on the DNA of both the patient and the disease.”

Technological Innovations

With skilled nursing facility occupancies continuing to decrease, a greater focus has been placed on technology that helps seniors stay independent for longer. Here are some exciting tech developments that could help improve senior’s quality of life:

• “Smart Lens” Diabetes Testing
  • The research team at POSTECH has recently developed a “smart contact lense” that measures the glucose levels in tears. With this innovation, diabetics will be able to do away with finger-pricking tests. 
• Memory-Stimulating Music App Helps Dementia Patients
  • By pre-selecting songs based on the birth years of the patient and linking them to important care tasks and activities, tech company, Memory Tracks is helping seniors with dementia manage agitation, assist with care and support daily routines! 
• Smart Power Sockets
  • Innovation Challenge award winner, Kemuri has developed a “smart power socket” fitted with sensors that can track changes in seniors’ behavior that could indicate abnormal behavior. This is in an attempt to spot a decline in health. These sockets track motion, power consumption and temperature. 

If you or a loved one are interested in a senior living community that is committed to the health and wellbeing of their residents, give us a call!