Gerontechnology: Creating enabling environments for the challenges and opportunities of aging

Gerontechnology is an interdisciplinary field of research and application i nvolving gerontology, the scientific study of aging, and technology, the de velopment and distribution of technologically based products, environments, and services. One goal of gerontechnology is to use technology to prevent, delay, or compensate for the perceptual, cognitive, and physical declines of aging. A second is to use technology to support or enhance the opportuni ties associated with aging related to communication, leisure, learning, ser vice, and artistic expression. Areas of application include housing, person al mobility and transportation, communication, health, work, and recreation and self-fulfillment. The methods used to determine older persons' needs a nd preferences for technology are discussed, as is the central role of the user in the development, dispersal, and evaluation of technology. A clinica l evaluation of the value of assistive technology is summarized. The educat ional activities and professional organizations that support the developmen t of gerontechnology are described, and the article concludes with a discus sion of financing and advocacy of this new discipline.