Living the Good Long Life: Helping older adults stay independent with Dan Josebachvilli, maker of the Silvertree Reach medical alert system and Dr. Helen Fernandez, geriatrician and fall prevention expert.

In the 1900s, the average American lifespan was 47.7 years. Today, it is 78.8 years. 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day. In just over 10 years, 20% of the US population will be 65 and over. So, what are we doing to care for this growing population? The urgency around that question inspired Martha to start working with the Mount Sinai Health System NYC 15 years ago. Today’s episode will be the first in a series of conversations that specifically addresses the needs of our aging population. Dan Josebachvili created a wearable medical device, the Silvertree Reach, to help older adults stay independent, but safe. Dr. Helen Fernandez, Vice Chair of Education for the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, is an expert on fall prevention and is working to re-frame perceptions around aging. The two join Martha to discuss issues that face older adults, and new products and innovations to help them live healthy, productive lives – what Martha calls “living the good, long life.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.