Most baby boomers hope to age in place and remain independent as they get older, but a number of them aren’t considering the technological tools needed to do so. 

While 91% of boomers want to live in their own homes and 96% say it’s important to be as independent as possible, only 21% plan to incorporate technology solutions, or remodel and retrofit their homes to stay in place as they age, according to a study released by Philips and the Global Social Enterprise Initiative (GSEI) at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.

This technology innovation gap is widening for a population that will nearly double to 83.7 million by 2050. Nearly 80% of 60- to 80-year-olds are not thinking about or are not sure whether they will upgrade or update their homes with new technologies, which they perceive as being costly and not important.  

Despite the fact that boomers believe the most important factors for home design features are low-maintenance exterior, master bedrooms and baths on the first floor and effective lighting throughout the house, 59% say they’re not interested in upgrading their home. One in three says upgrades are too costly and 42% say upgrading in-home technology is too expensive.

But some show a willingness to invest in technology for things they use regularly, such as stove tops or ovens that automatically shut off, a remote control to manage everything in the home and driverless cars. 

“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,” Brent Shafer, CEO of Philips North America, stated in the report. 

To read the full report, click here. 

Written by Emily Study