Survey: Baby Boomers place high value on technology, independence

Access to hospitals, nearby grocery stores, high-speed Internet, and walkability are among the top community features desired by Baby Boomers, a recent survey discovered.

Philips and Georgetown University’s Global Social Enterprise Initiative (GSEI) surveyed 1,000 respondents in the United States, age 50-80, and interviewed residential and commercial developers to understand their thoughts and expectations around using technology to connect people from homes to resources in the community to stay independent as they age.

“The projected growth of the aging population constitutes a real need to focus on preparing for the future today,” said Brent Shafer, CEO of Philips North America. “Now is the time that we need to urgently and collectively shift focus to reduce the barriers and increase education on new innovations in technology that bring peace of mind, safety, and convenience to aging seniors.”

When it comes to what boomers are looking for, the study found:

• Respondents are focused on maintaining independence: When it came to home features, about 60 percent said they would be interested in technology such as stove tops or ovens that automatically shut off, and 46 percent of respondents would be interested in a single remote control that will manage everything in their home. Meanwhile, 41 percent of those who were surveyed were interested in driverless cars.
• Connectivity is king: About 80 percent said they felt the most important factors for their communities as they aged are high-speed Internet access, followed by grocery stores and access to medical centers.
• Basic design still matters: In terms of other features found to be most important for home design, 58 percent said they’d prefer a low-maintenance exterior, while 54 percent said they wanted master bedrooms and baths located on the first floor and effective lighting throughout the house.

About three in five people said they aren’t interested in upgrading their homes. But one in three people said they simply couldn’t afford to do it.

The survey helps highlight the size of the marketplace for seniors who are more comfortable with new technology than previous generations — and more interested in staying active and connected.

For more information, view the infographic display of the survey data.