The impact of the pandemic has led many people to embrace digital technologies as a way to socialise and stay connected. But many Older Adults are taking this one step further by using wearable technologies as a way to live healthy lives, and improve physical and mental wellbeing.
Wearable technology allows people to track their routines and physical activity through accessories like watches, rings and glasses, with the hands-free nature of such devices an appealing, accessible and convenient option for people that are looking to implement healthier habits into their daily lives.
In the UK people become less physically active as they age, with 68.6% of people aged 16 to 24 being physically active compared to just 39.3% of people aged 75 years and over. But with the market for wearable technology increasing at a rapid scale - in 2020 it was valued at $27.9 billion and is expected to reach $74 billion by 2026 - many Older Adults are using tech in an effort to adopt health-conscious lifestyle changes.
In the UK Sport England’s Active Ageing fund supports innovation and experimental approaches toward helping Older Adults become more physically active, and as the number of older people aged 65 and above in the US that use tech has grown in the past decade, health tech startups like Bold are offering digital health and wellness services exclusively to senior citizens.
