The Fourth Wave of Technology and Aging: Policy Innovation to Ensure Equity and Inclusion

The American generation known as the Baby Boomers entered what many consider older adulthood 2 decades ago. Born between 1946 and 1964, by the year 2000 the oldest of the Boomers were well into their 50s. Just as in their earlier life stages as children, employees, parents, and consumers, there was a public focus on anticipating this cohort’s next move. With overwhelming numbers, buying power, and attitude, what would they want, need, and demand in older age? Many observers forecasted that the aging of America’s seemingly forever young generation would result in metaphorical socioeconomic storms, tsunamis, and quakes. Despite these countless dour forecasts, optimistic tones also emerged. Technological advance had been the hallmark of this generation’s experience and coming of age. From innovations in household appliances, color television, the space program, music on the go, personal computing, and telecommunications to the Internet boom that was happening just as they entered their later stages of midlife, technology had always been a mainstay of their lives: why not in older age? Over the last 20 years, there has been significant progress in developing technology to improve the lives of older people and those who care for them. The development and application of technology to improve the quality of life of older adults has evolved in waves, each with a different emphasis. No wave totally recedes, but priorities, as well as the roles of government, business, and the research community, continue to evolve. Wave 1: Aging as Interface