Tag: aging and technology

Technology has become an essential part of everyday life for older adults, yet many organizations still underestimate how comfortable they are using it. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek talks with AgeTech strategist Ginna Baik about how technology is reshaping the future of aging and senior living.

Ginna discusses why today’s older adults are more tech-savvy than many assume, how senior living providers can create better digital experiences, where AI can have the greatest impact for residents and caregivers, and why the future of senior living begins long before someone moves into a community.

Check out the full episode here.

WHY DO YOU CALL OLDER ADULTS THE “OGS OF THE INTERNET”?

There’s this misconception that older adults are not engaged with technology. But the reality is, when AOL first came to the internet 30-plus years ago, today’s 70- and 80-year-olds were getting their first email on AOL or Yahoo. They were pioneers. They’ve grown up with the internet. The difference is they also know what life is like without it. They understand how to leverage technology, but they also know when to turn it off.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT OLDER ADULTS AND TECHNOLOGY?

People think older adults don’t know how to use tech, so there’s a reluctance to give them technology or use it to make things more efficient. But when you start interviewing older adults and resident councils, they’ll be the first to say, “Why don’t you bring in a robot?” or “Why don’t you engage some sort of voice technology if that’s going to make it easier on the staff?” Older adults see technology as an augmentation of what staff are already doing.

HOW ARE TODAY’S ACTIVE AGERS DIFFERENT FROM THE WAY OLDER ADULTS ARE OFTEN PORTRAYED?

Older adults are always portrayed sitting on a sofa or in a chair, lounging or doing chair yoga. I think that’s such a wrong perception. I’m in a book club and I’m the youngest. The oldest person is 70, and each one of them is so active. They’re hiking, and I’m not talking about a one-mile hike, but five-, 10-, 15-mile hikes. They’re skiing. They’re doing things. They’re very engaged and very active.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT WHAT OLDER ADULTS ACTUALLY WANT FROM DIGITAL EXPERIENCES?

They want more choice. They want simplicity. They want to be able to make that intellectual decision themselves. They like simplicity, they like elegance. Simpler is better, and not because it’s for old people. We didn’t just make humongous font sizes. We gave that as an option if they wanted it. It was really about making things easy to find. It wasn’t cluttered. They hate clutter, and I think we’re missing the boat if we over-clutter our websites.

Season 1 of Roundtable Talk set out to challenge everything we think we know about aging and ended up reframing what’s possible across an entire lifetime.

Across more than 20 conversations, Varsity’s aging and longevity podcast brought together gerontologists, policymakers, innovators, artists, journalists, and senior living leaders who are reshaping how we live, work, and contribute as we age. From public health and technology to purpose, creativity, and community, each guest added a vital layer to a more hopeful, human-centered narrative of longevity.

The season opened with cultural icons and truth-tellers like Garrison Keillor and Mo Rocca, who reminded us that humor, curiosity, and engagement don’t fade with age—they sharpen. Terry Farrell brought a deeply personal perspective on reinvention and authenticity, while Diane Harris and Dr. Sara Zeff Geber tackled the realities of solo aging, financial longevity, and planning for independence without fear.

Leading voices in aging science and public health—including Dr. Linda Fried, Dr. Louise Aronson, Dr. Kerry Burnight, and Dr. David Katz—challenged ageism head-on, reframed frailty and wellness, and made a compelling case for focusing on health span, not just life span. Their insights made it clear that aging well isn’t accidental—it’s systemic, behavioral, and deeply connected to how we design communities and care.

Innovation emerged as a recurring theme through conversations with Rick Robinson, Laurie Orlov, Dr. Tom Kamber, and Rob Liebreich, who explored how technology—from AI to digital literacy to cognitive health tools—can support independence, connection, and dignity when designed with older adults, not just for them.

The season also spotlighted bold models for aging with purpose and belonging. Andrew Carle and Lindsey Beagley explored university-based retirement communities and lifelong learning as antidotes to isolation. Barbara Sullivan highlighted the power of grassroots villages. Bridget Weston showed how older adults are fueling entrepreneurship through mentorship, while Brian Fried proved creativity and invention have no expiration date.

Rounding out the season, industry leaders like Larry Carlson, Scott Townsley, Marvell Adams Jr., Peter Murphy Lewis, and Dr. Robyn Stone confronted the hard truths facing senior living, caregiving, workforce sustainability, and inclusion, offering both critique and optimism for what comes next.