How Senior Living Communities and Researchers Are Shaping the Future of Age‑Friendly Technology
- ClarkLindsey
- Apr 17, 2018
- 2 min read
As smart technology becomes more common in daily life, researchers are calling attention to a major gap: many devices aren’t designed with older adults in mind. At a LeadingAge Illinois conference, University of Illinois researcher Wendy Rogers highlighted the need for senior living communities and residents to be directly involved in tech development. ClarkLindsey has partnered with her team to study how older adults actually use tools like the Amazon Echo.
What Happened
At the conference, Wendy Rogers, who leads the Human Factors and Aging Laboratory at the University of Illinois, emphasized that while research labs produce impressive innovations, few reach senior living communities in ways that are practical or intuitive. She noted that technology can ease caregiver strain and give residents more control over their environment, but only if it is designed with real users in mind.
To better understand this gap, Rogers’ team collaborated with ClarkLindsey, a nonprofit senior living community in Urbana that offers a full continuum of care. Together, they studied how residents use Amazon Echo devices after at least a month of experience. Some residents enjoyed features like music playback, while others struggled with setup or didn’t know how to access more advanced functions.
Residents also shared what they wished the technology could do—such as medication reminders or controlling small appliances. Many of these features already exist, but users lacked the guidance to activate them. Rogers pointed out that both residents and providers often receive little support in learning how to make the most of these tools.
The research team includes engineers who can explore solutions tailored to older adults’ needs, with ongoing input from senior living providers.
Why This Matters
As the population ages, technology will play a growing role in supporting independence, safety, and quality of life. But if devices are not intuitive or accessible, they risk becoming underused or frustrating rather than helpful.
The ClarkLindsey partnership illustrates how senior living communities can influence the design of future technologies by sharing real‑world insights. When older adults and care providers help shape development, the resulting tools are more likely to be useful, usable, and meaningful.
This work also highlights the importance of human‑centered design—ensuring that technology adapts to people, not the other way around.
Key Details at a Glance
Research Lead: Wendy Rogers, Human Factors and Aging Laboratory, University of Illinois
Community Partner: ClarkLindsey, Urbana
Focus: How older adults use Amazon Echo devices and what features they want
Findings: Residents value entertainment and convenience but need clearer support to use advanced functions
Goal: Develop technology that aligns with real user needs and daily routines
Industry Context: Smart tech is expanding, but many products overlook older adults’ abilities and preferences
Broader Context
Senior living providers nationwide are exploring ways to integrate smart home devices, voice assistants, and monitoring tools into daily care. At the same time, researchers are increasingly focused on inclusive design—ensuring that technology supports aging rather than complicating it.
Collaborations like the one between ClarkLindsey and the University of Illinois help bridge the gap between innovation and practical use. As the industry evolves, these partnerships will be essential in shaping tools that genuinely enhance older adults’ autonomy and well‑being.
Source Attribution: This post is based on publicly reported information originally covered by Senior Housing News.
