Amy West •
Every August 21st, National Senior Citizens Day prompts us to celebrate the wisdom and contributions of older adults—and to take a hard look at whether our systems, services, and technologies truly support them.
At HITLAB, we work at the intersection of evidence and innovation, and one reality is crystal clear: enabling older adults to age in place safely is not only a public-health necessity and an opportunity for technology to make a measurable, equitable impact, but something these individuals and their loved ones desire and value.
The Demographic Tide—and Why Women Are at the Center
America is aging fast. The U.S. population ages 65+ climbed to roughly 61.2 million in 2024, up 3.1% year over year, and older adults now outnumber children in an expanding set of states. By 2030, every Baby Boomer will be 65 or older.
But aging is also a women’s health story. Women live longer than men—on average by about 6 years—and are more likely to live alone in later life. Recent federal analyses show that about 27% of women 65–74 and 39–43% of women 75+ live alone, underscoring higher risks for isolation, falls, and care gaps without coordinated support.
At the same time, family caregiving remains predominantly female: about 61% of U.S. caregivers are women. Many are part of the “sandwich generation,” caring for aging parents while also supporting children or grandchildren. The physical, emotional, and financial toll is profound: women caregivers are more likely to reduce work hours, decline promotions, or leave the workforce entirely magnifying long-term inequities in retirement savings and economic security.
The Tech Imperative: Tools for Safe, Connected Living
The question we must ask is not simply how long people live, but how well. To close the gaps in women’s health and aging, digital solutions are indispensable. From remote monitoring devices to AI-driven fall detection, innovation is reshaping how seniors and their families can manage independence, safety, and dignity.
One promising example is WD-Home.co, a platform designed to help older adults live independently longer. The app provides caregivers with real-time insights into daily routines, activity levels, and potential risks—without intrusive surveillance. This kind of unobtrusive, data-driven technology exemplifies how innovation can ease caregiver responsibilities (most often carried by women) while enhancing peace of mind for families.
Smart home technologies, telehealth platforms, wearable sensors, and medication management tools all form part of the toolkit for aging in place. But the ecosystem is fragmented, and adoption rates remain uneven—especially for women living alone, who may lack both digital literacy and access to affordable broadband. That’s why partnerships across health systems, payers, policymakers, and innovators are critical to ensuring equity.
A Call to Action
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Amy West
Principal Director, Advisory Services & Chair, Women's Health Tech Initiative, HITLAB
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