Innovations

NYSOFA's Innovations in Aging Guidebook highlights NYSOFA’s public-private partnerships with leading age tech innovators to address social determinants of health and connect older adults.  

READ THE Guidebook

According to AARP, in a 2024 survey on technology use, older adults are using technology at the same rate as individuals under the age of 50.

While barriers still exist – the cost or lack of reliable broadband, the cost of equipment, and not knowing how to use the equipment – most older adults use technological devices and platforms effectively.

This presents an opportunity to leverage many low-cost, high-impact digital solutions that are expanding access to services and supports in core areas:

• Support New York's 4.1 million unpaid caregivers with resources and tools to build confidence and skills.
   
• Provide therapeutic and adaptive tools for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, hearing loss, or other conditions – tools that also support the caregivers of these individuals.
   
• Bridge the digital divide by helping older adults increase their technical skills for employment or to strengthen their already high levels of civic participation.
   
• Provide Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and other partners with communications, outreach and population analytical tools to meet the needs of older adults on a community-wide scale.
   
• Enhance transportation access.
   
• Promote healthy lifestyles, which is a focus of nearly all NYSOFA partnerships.
   
• Provide financial safety and security through scam prevention.

Combating social isolation and improving overall health and wellness have been cornerstones of the aging services network for decades. This focus has traditionally involved in-person supports like telephone trees, friendly visiting programs, in-home contact and support, community-based services, community opportunities in more than 800 senior centers, transportation to community locations, events for older adults, health and wellness fairs, and more.

This focus is embodied in the federal Older Americans Act (OAA), which is the foundation for federal, state and local development, planning and delivery of home and community-based services and supports to older adults and their caregivers.

NYSOFA established its first public-private partnership with Ageless Innovation (involving its animatronic pets) in 2018, following a report by AARP and the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the impact of loneliness and social isolation on older adults and Medicare spending. It stated that loneliness and isolation are equivalent to smoking almost a pack of cigarettes per day, costs Medicare more than $7 billion to treat, make chronic conditions worse, increase mortality, depression and anxiety, and increase the risk of dementia.

Recognizing the many tools that now exist to fill in service gaps, enhance services, and address workforce shortages, NYSOFA has expanded our partnerships with more than 30 technology companies to increase service provision and improve the overall health and welfare of older adults as described by the OAA. 

This work complements structural policy changes, including NYSOFA’s decision, early in the COVID-19 pandemic, to add a social isolation screen to NYSOFA’s comprehensive assessment as well as a technology screen, so that individuals can be connected to digital solutions if these solutions are an appropriate fit.

NYSOFA is building a resource library with trainings and technical assistance to help community-based organizations implement these innovations projects. See our Innovations Trainings today.