From July through October 2005, project staff at the Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) developed a 10-minute video designed to illustrate the role that developing technology can play in improving quality of health care for aging Americans while reducing costs.

Key Results

• Pedersen Media Group, under subcontract to CAST, completed a 10-minute video, entitled Imagine — the Future of Aging, in December 2005. The video, introduced by actor Jeff Bridges, offers a glimpse, through the eyes of one family, of what the future of aging could look like with help from developing technologies.
• The video can be watched online. A DVD is available for $3 to cover duplicating and shipping costs. An order form, available online, can be faxed to (202) 220-0024.
• A companion discussion guide, designed for providers of services to the aging, describes the technologies shown in the video and offers suggestions of ways to use the video. It is available online.
• A second 7-minute video, entitled Transforming an Aging Nation, features industry experts who describe how developing technologies can potentially improve health care, preserve independence and ensure quality of life for seniors. The video can be viewed online.
  • Imagine — the Future of Aging premiered at the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. It has been shown at other national conferences, including the March 2006 meeting of the American Medical Association and the January 2006 Consumer Electronics show.
  • The video premiere at the White House Conference on Aging generated more than 300 media stories, including coverage by three national networks and 20 local stations.
  • Staff distributed about 30,000 DVD copies of the video. Recipients included all congressional offices, attendees at the 2005 White House Conference on Aging and leaders in the fields of long-term care, technology and medicine.

Funding

To support production of the video, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) provided an unsolicited grant of $50,000 to the American Association of Homes for the Aging, the parent organization of CAST. (See the Appendix for a list of other funders.)

After the Grant

CAST staff plans a second distribution of the video. A newer version of the DVD may include interactive elements, allowing viewers to link to up-to-date information on the technologies discussed.