As our population ages, are we designing technology that truly meets their needs, or just what we think they need?

In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Dr. Jennifer Boger, Chief Scientific Officer at ESGai Technologies, shares how her love for problem-solving and a personal connection to dementia led her into engineering and health technology. She underscores the flaws in current healthcare systems, particularly their focus on acute care over prevention and quality of life, and calls for a shift toward more holistic, person-centered approaches. Dr. Boger emphasizes that quality of life, though hard to quantify, should be a primary goal of healthcare. She also discusses the importance of designing inclusive technologies that are intuitive and respectful, noting that simplicity should not be mistaken for infantilization, especially when creating tools for older adults.

Dr. Jennifer Boger explores the concept of ambient, zero-effort technologies, tools that are ubiquitous, accessible, and require minimal user effort. She and host Christopher Kunney agree that aging populations need technology that is easy to use without sacrificing dignity or privacy. They raise concerns about digital marginalization, warning that people who can't or choose not to use digital systems risk being excluded from essential services and even from AI-generated insights. Dr. Boger stresses the need for transparency in how data is collected and used, proposing clearer, more accessible summaries of privacy policies to empower users.

Dr. Boger believes that while the concept of “considerate AI”, systems designed with ethical frameworks and human understanding in mind, holds promise, it is challenging to implement and will require time, patience, and brave, collaborative spaces. She envisions AI that supports rather than replaces human decision-making by prompting reflection and enhancing objectivity. Looking ahead, she sees natural language interfaces as a game-changer for independent living. For those entering the field, her advice is to connect directly with the people they’re designing for, involving them early and often to ensure solutions are grounded in real-world needs and experiences.

Tune in to learn how assistive technologies, ethical AI, and human-centered design can reshape aging, healthcare, and independent living!

What does the way we treat our elders and caregivers say about us as a society?

In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Peter Murphy Lewis, filmmaker and healthcare advocate, explores the urgent challenges facing long-term care in the U.S., including underfunded facilities, a shrinking workforce, low caregiver wages, and a rapidly aging population. Long-term care is a reflection of how society values its elders and caregivers, emphasizing the growing need for reform as millions more Americans turn 65 each year. The system, heavily reliant on undercompensated workers, primarily women of color, and unsupported family caregivers, struggles to provide high-quality, dignified care.

Peter Murphy Lewis shares how his documentary People Worth Caring About was born out of gratitude for caregivers who helped his grandparents. Originally intended to help with staffing shortages in Nebraska, the project has expanded to shift public perception of long-term care nationwide. Peter highlights how fear of aging, death, and dementia distorts views of nursing homes and deters both investment and interest in the sector. By focusing on caregivers and their impact, the documentary seeks to replace stigma with understanding and connection.

The conversation also touches on innovative solutions, from intergenerational care models to global tech integration, and the importance of redefining what "nursing home" means to residents and families. Peter notes that while negative perceptions often come from the media, positive views tend to stem from direct experiences with caregivers. He believes changing the narrative and language around long-term care is crucial, and that investing in relationships, community programs, and the dignity of residents must be non-negotiable in shaping the future of elder care.

Tune in for a powerful conversation with Peter Murphy Lewis as he explores the human stories, hidden challenges, and bold ideas shaping the future of long-term care in America!

Humanity, empathy, and respecting patient wishes are paramount when navigating the complexities of end-of-life care.

In this episode of Straight Outta Health IT, Gil Bashe, Chair of Global Health and Purpose for FINN Partners, delves into these sensitive topics. Drawing from his unique background as a combat medic, ordained clergy member, and health innovation advocate, Gil discusses the crucial, yet often misunderstood, differences between palliative care, hospice care, and end-of-life planning. He clarifies that palliative care focuses on improving comfort and quality of life at any point during a serious illness, potentially alongside curative treatments.

Hospice care, conversely, is typically reserved for the final stages, Gil explains, when the focus shifts entirely to comfort and dignity, often requiring additional medical support but tailored to the individual's needs and choices. Host Christopher Kunney shares poignant family experiences, grounding the conversation in real-life challenges. Together, they explore the emotional difficulties faced by patients, families, and even clinicians in initiating these necessary conversations and making decisions, highlighting the discomfort many doctors feel.

Gil also strongly emphasizes the enduring importance of human connection, intuition, and empathy over purely technological solutions, urging listeners to prepare emotionally and spiritually, perhaps even through letters, alongside legal documents like living wills.

Tune in and learn why understanding these distinctions and respecting a patient's final wishes are essential aspects of compassionate care!