WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today during the White House Conference on Aging, Philips announced the creation of the AgingWell Hub (AWH), a unique new research center for open innovation that will examine and share solutions for aging well. The initiative will identify new technologies, products and services, as well as provide thought leadership in collaboration with older adults, caregivers, healthcare systems, payers, policy makers, corporate innovators, entrepreneurs and academia. The AWH will also seek solutions to improve technology adoption among older adults and make aging well a reality for more people, by enabling them to better connect with their communities and healthcare providers.
As part of the first phase of this initiative, Philips will collaborate with industry and issue experts, including leaders with a common interest in aging well such as American Architectural Foundation (AAF), eHealth Initiative, the Global Social Enterprise Initiative (GSEI) at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University Urban and Regional Planning Program, Humana, MedStar Health, Merck, Respect a Caregiver’s Time (ReAct), Smart Living 360, StreetScape USA, Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (New York) and The Gary and Mary West Health Institute. AWH thought leaders and experts will create a blueprint for a research hub, expected to be based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition, Philips is in discussion with the MIT AgeLab to advise on the lab design and research program.
“This rapidly growing segment of the population has critical needs that are not being met,” said Kimberly O’Loughlin, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Philips Home Monitoring. “By bringing awareness, collaborating with industry leaders and innovators, and creating an ongoing dialogue, we can help drive solutions that allow older adults to remain independent, healthy and socially engaged. Transforming the experience, improving outcomes and lowering costs requires that we work together to drive simplicity and interoperability. The AWH gives us a platform to test and learn and innovate together.”
The Philips AgingWell Hub will have three key areas of focus:
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Drive Open Innovation by creating learning labs to accelerate transformation and improvements in the aging journey. This would allow for open co-creation by engaging older adults, caregivers, healthcare systems, payers, policy makers, corporate innovators, entrepreneurs and academia. The goal is to understand the true cost and performance of care and how it can be improved with innovation and collaboration. |
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Share Thought Leadership by leveraging data, analytics and dialog to create and share insights that foster transformation. These insights will allow healthcare systems to be more proactive and preventative, enabling aging adults to live at home for as long as possible. As part of this commitment, AWH will share insights, as well as collaborate with other industry leaders on how to improve the efficacy of care delivery, solutions and services for living well. |
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Promote Positive Image of Aging by working with others to promote a positive image of senior care, helping to tackle the “stigma” that can limit caregiving support and seniors’ access to it. AWH would develop communications materials and drive a positive and enabling image of aging and older adults. |
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The AWH expands on the Philips Center for Health and Well-being Aging Well Think Tank, as well as its work and research with GSEI, which has examined the attitudes and behaviors among the aging population and their caregivers regarding the adoption of technology. Through this work, Philips and its collaborators have found that a new approach is needed – a consumer-centric approach that involves government, industry, healthcare systems, academic institutions and nonprofit organizations as partners in the design of new programs and smart technologies that will empower older adults to thrive.
For more information on the AgingWell Hub, visit www.agingwellhub.org.
About Royal Philips:
Royal Philips (NYSE:PHG, AEX:PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2014 sales of EUR 21.4 billion and employs approximately 108,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy-efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.