The numbers are staggering: over 500,000 older New Yorkers are on the waiting list for affordable housing, with average waits stretching beyond a decade. For many, a decade is longer than they can afford to wait. Behind each number is a person facing the daily uncertainty of where they will live out their later years-whether they can age with dignity, or whether they will spend their final chapter in limbo.
AI startup Zingage has raised $12.5 million in seed funding to help bring healthcare inside the home - a shift it says will occur over the next decade. The two-year-old startup is developing an AI-powered scheduling and operations product for home healthcare agencies, which send caregivers into people's homes for aid - as opposed to a hospital or long-term facility.
Did you know that by 2025, nearly 90% of U.S. homes will be over 20 years old ? That's a lot of houses starting to show their age; from outdated kitchens and bathrooms to drafty windows and worn-out doors. For homeowners, this isn't just a challenge; it's an opportunity. Enter the home remodeling boom. With a projected $425 billion in renovations by 2027, Americans are investing in upgrades that improve comfort, boost home value, and bring their spaces up to today's standards.
According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, which surveyed adults from ages 50 to 80, 88% responded that it was important to remain in their homes as long as possible. For older Americans to age in place well, technology can be useful, especially medical alert systems. "These devices allow those who have fallen or have an emergency to contact someone for assistance," says Jen Teague, Director for Health Coverage and Benefits at the National Council on Aging. "Ultimately, they help an individual maintain independence."
Several small rugs need securing, and safety rails need to be installed in two of the showers. Two bathtubs are no longer being used because of the inability to egress without some type of assistance. There is also no handrail on the basement steps. My husband says it is no big deal to fix these issues, while I say it is a big deal that is crucial to aging in place and must be addressed immediately.
If you're talking about your age 55 group and thinking about aging in place, it's different from when you are age 100 and thinking about aging in place. The needs range from wellness topics to serious in-home health care. And I would say the wellness side is better prepared in the U.S., versus senior care for the older adults whose needs require more intensive medical care for example, home-based dialysis care.
