One thorny question is how to pay for these new technologies.
Much of the cost may fall on taxpayers. The recently enacted
health care bill contains several provisions that may help
quicken the adoption of aging-related technologies, including
portable digital health care records and tele-medicine. In the
long term, though, technology could save money. As people age
they often suffer from multiple chronic conditions, requiring a
variety of medical specialists. Currently, Alwan says, few
technologies help doctors coordinate patient care. That in turn
leads to repeated procedures, unnecessary hospital readmissions
and increased costs. "Physician A doesn't know what physician B
has prescribed for the same individual," Alwan said. "That
causes medical errors." The HITECH provision (Health Information
Technology for Economic and Clinical Health) of the stimulus law
calls for the creation and standardization of electronic health
records. Medicare and Medicaid will give physicians and
hospitals financial incentives