'Nana' Technology?

George Mason University’s Andrew Carle, assistant professor for the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) and director of its program in assisted living/senior housing administration, recently gave a name to the multibillion dollar industry serving the rapidly-growing seniors population — what he, and now others, refer to as “Nana” technology.

“This industry has exploded over the past few years with the aging of the baby boomers,” said Carle. “Yet, there was no single term to describe the innovative new products being created to help improve the lives of older adults.”

Carle specifically defines “Nana” technology as “technology designed, intended or that can otherwise be used to improve quality of life for seniors.” Carle further defines five categories for the technologies that are being produced or developed by companies such as Intel, GE, Philips and Kimberly-Clark, among others:

• Health products, such as robotic medication dispensers designed to reduce errors
  
  
• Safety products, such as wireless sensors that can track movements, location, and identify falls
  
  
• Cognition products, such as computer software programs that quiz elderly residents or patients regularly and send the data to a health care professional or family member
  
  
• Lifestyle products that provide a convenience factor for seniors, such as mailbox sensors that alert the user that mail has been delivered
  
  
• Whole-house/whole-facility products that provide overall home monitoring and management.

“Nana technology has the potential to serve the entire seniors population, whether living independently or in a community,” Carle added. “The applications are endless, and we will continue to see the development of these products over the next two decades.”   

Carle’s term has been featured in USA TODAY and is being used widely in the industry. The program has recently signed an agreement with The Mature Market Resource Center to establish annual “Nana Technology” awards as part of a national competition recognizing the best new products and technologies for the elderly. The first “Nana’s” are scheduled to be presented in each of the five categories in 2007.

Carle has more than 20 years of senior housing and healthcare management experience, and is a nationally known presenter and writer on the seniors housing and care industry.  He was one of 15 executives nationally to be named to the Expert Panel on Assisted Living of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), and has received numerous awards for his work in the field.

This story was adapted from a press release issued by George Mason University. [Return to top]