Dr.
Joseph F. Coughlin
addresses
the National Governors Association
February
23, 2004
Washington
D.C. – The nation’s governors
gathered for a four day meeting (February
21-24, 2004) with the President, Cabinet,
Members of Congress, business leaders
and other experts to discuss common
issues facing states. Major topics
included the issues of long-term care
and aging.
Sunday’s
session explored how chronic disease
affects long-term health care and
outcomes, demand and affordability
of home and community-based services,
and technological innovations designed
to assist patients and caregivers.
The session highlighted Idaho Gov.
Dirk Kempthorne’s initiative,
A Lifetime of Health and Dignity:
Confronting Long-Term Care Challenges
in America. Moderated by Jackie Judd,
formerly of ABCNEWS and now a senior
fellow at the Kaiser Family Foundation,
distinguished panelists include Dr.
Kenneth Cooper of the Cooper Aerobics
Center, William Novelli, CEO of AARP
and Dr. Joseph F. Coughlin, director
of MIT’s AgeLab.
Dr.
Coughlin discussed how technological
advances can have a positive impact
on the aging experience. He highlighted
the following:
- Although
we’ve pioneered ways to live
longer, we must engineer the future
of aging to live better. States
can creatively use technology by
developing policies that:
-
Promote public awareness and
empowerment to integrate novel
devices and services into their
homes to support their own longevity;
-
Prevent the cascading of chronic
disease in the aging boomer
population by encouraging the
adoption of technology-enabled
wellness and prevention services;
-
Provide incentives to employers,
technology developers and business
to develop innovative approaches
to disease management, transportation,
remote caregiving and related
services that support independent
living for a lifetime.
Dr.
Coughlin is director of the AgeLab,
a research lab that explores new ideas
and technologies that improve the
quality of life for older adults and
those who care for them. His research
initiatives have garnered a tremendous
amount of local, national and international
press coverage and have established
Coughlin as a leader in technology
and aging.
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