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Webinar – Co-Designing Age Tech for Commercialization and Impact, Nicole Werner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNAi6kpy14w Abstract: This webinar explores how participatory co-design approaches can transform the development of technologies for older adults and their care partners, with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Dr. Nicole Werner highlights how traditional “designer knows best” models often result in technologies that fail to meet real-world needs, leading to poor adoption and limited impact. Through compelling stories and examples, she demonstrates how human-centered design engages end users in every stage of development to create solutions that are usable, acceptable, and scalable. Attendees will learn about integrating co-design within the NIH Stage Model for behavioral intervention development, strategies for meaningful caregiver engagement, and methods to align user needs with commercialization goals. By the end of the session, participants will understand how to apply these principles to create age-inclusive technologies with greater potential…

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Past Webinar – Aligning Technology with Dementia Caregiver Needs, Joseph E. Gaugler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVFTmTnYb4M Abstract: Various technologies are now available that purport to support families, friends, and other unpaid individuals who care for older adults living with dementia. Although such technologies may hold promise, it remains less clear whether these technologies are truly effective or aligned with the heterogeneity of dementia care, particularly dementia care that takes place in the community. This presentation will summarize recent findings and identify opportunities to utilize technology to advance the science and support of dementia care.upport them as they engage in this vital role. Biography: Joseph E. Gaugler, PhD, Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-Term Care & Aging in School of Public Health, Distinguished McKnight University Professor at University of Minnesota Joe Gaugler is the Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-Term Care & Aging in the School of Public Health…

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Webinar – Healthy Aging in a Digital World: Promoting Caregiver Health and Well-being, Heather M. Young

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHGAhAdToUg Abstract: Over 38 million family caregivers provide the vast majority of long-term care in the United States, valued at over $600 billion annually. Most of these caregivers are supporting a person with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Disorders. This presentation will provide an overview of who are the caregivers and how health systems and technology can support them as they engage in this vital role. Biography: Heather M. Young, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing; Founding Dean Emerita; National Director, Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators at UC Davis Health A nurse leader, educator, scientist and nationally recognized expert in gerontological nursing and rural health care, Heather M. Young is national director of the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship Program for Nurse Leaders and Innovators,…

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Webinar – Novel Technological Approaches for Detection of Cognitive and Functional Impairment: Drs. Larsen, Stamps, and Milburn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQhT0iakfYE Abstract:  This webinar explored cutting-edge technologies aimed at improving early detection and monitoring of cognitive and functional impairments in older adults. Dr. Kate Papp (Mass General Brigham) opened the session by highlighting the challenges of traditional clinical assessments—lengthy, labor-intensive, and inaccessible to many—and the promise of scalable, remote, and ecologically valid digital tools to address the growing needs of an aging population. Three MassAITC pilot awardees presented innovative approaches: Dr. Eric Larson (Sonde Health) discussed testing a vocal biomarker platform that leverages AI to detect and monitor cognitive impairment via smartphone-based voice samples collected in home environments. Early findings show high participant engagement and promising accuracy in distinguishing cognitive status. Dr. Jennifer Stamps (Rendever) shared progress on a multimodal virtual reality (VR) fitness platform that combines physical exercise, cognitive stimulation, and social engagement. The…

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Webinar – Technology for Enhancing Functional Health: Monitoring Movement with Wearables and Sensors, Margie Lachman, Amanda Paluch, Jen Blankenship

https://youtu.be/VLEL_qlBLFA?si=0oCfae1LTswkZyPG Abstract:  Nearly half of adults over 75 experience functional limitations, often worsened by physical inactivity and sedentary behavior. There is an inherent need for innovative technologies—such as wearables, sensors, and AI systems—to detect early declines and support timely interventions that maintain independence and quality of life. This webinar explored potential innovative approaches that are being developed through the support of the MassAITC pilot program to support functional health and independence among older adults through wearable and ambient sensor technologies. Dr. Amanda Paluch (University of Massachusetts) presented her pilot study on detecting frailty in home environments using non-invasive, whole-room body heat sensors (Butlr Care). Her team’s interdisciplinary work aims to develop low-burden, contactless algorithms capable of continuously monitoring movement patterns to detect early signs of frailty and support interventions that promote aging in place. Dr.…

Continue ReadingWebinar – Technology for Enhancing Functional Health: Monitoring Movement with Wearables and Sensors, Margie Lachman, Amanda Paluch, Jen Blankenship

MassAITC Webinar – Opportunities and Challenges in Automatic Detection of Momentary Stress via Wearables, Santosh Kumar

https://youtu.be/wKgXSOgZSdU?si=PjYmoeQYrISdVqdz Talk Abstract:  Stress, a double-edged sword, has been long recognized for its potential to fuel productivity, enhance performance, and provide life-saving bursts of energy in times of imminent danger. Excessive and repetitive stress, however, can harm our physiological, psychological, behavioral, and social well-being. Due to its wide prevalence and impact in our lives, stress detection is increasingly being introduced in smartwatches, rings, and other wearables to help us become aware of and mitigate excessive stress. But unlike activity tracking, stress detection is yet to be adopted widely. What makes real-life stress detection so challenging? What progress has been made thus far and what else needs to be done to make stress detection truly useful? About the Speaker:  Santosh Kumar is the Lillian & Morrie Moss Chair of Excellence Professor in Computer Science at the…

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MassAITC Webinar – Wearable Acoustic and Vibration Sensing and Machine Learning for Human Health and Performance, Omer Inan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHCNy3hzdXk This talk will focus on: Digital health technology in precision medicine Advancements in cardiogenic vibration sensing Musculoskeletal sensing and joint acoustic emissions Abstract: Recent advances in digital health technologies are enabling biomedical researchers to reframe health optimization and disease treatment in a patient-specific, personalized manner. This talk will focus on my group’s research in two areas of relevance to digital health: (1) cardiogenic vibration sensing and analytics; and (2) musculoskeletal sensing with joint acoustic emissions and bioimpedance. Our group has extensively studied the timings and characteristics of cardiogenic vibration signals such as the ballistocardiogram and seismocardiogram, and applied these signals for cuffless blood pressure measurement, heart failure monitoring, and human performance. We have also leveraged miniature contact microphones to measure the sounds emitted by joints, such as the knees, in the context of movement,…

Continue ReadingMassAITC Webinar – Wearable Acoustic and Vibration Sensing and Machine Learning for Human Health and Performance, Omer Inan