HITLAB Team •
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019, 54.1 million US adults were 65 years or older, representing 16% of the population. By 2040, it is estimated that the number of older adults 65 years and older is expected to reach 80.8 million and 94.7 million by 2060, representing 25% of the US population. Of the population 50 years and older, 142 million will have at least one chronic disease and around 15 million people will have multimorbidity by 2050.¹ Within the healthcare landscape, the aging population poses distinct challenges that call for innovative solutions. There is an urgent need for globally-accessible housing conducive to healthy aging. Living conditions play a pivotal role in shaping the well-being and health outcomes of older individuals.² As seniors tend to spend more time at home with age,³ the design of housing and communities becomes crucial for mitigating health risks and enhancing independence, potentially reducing social burden and healthcare costs. Conversely, inadequate housing can lead to a myriad of health issues and expenses, including pneumonia, asthma, fall-related fractures, chronic comorbidities, and mental health ailments.⁴ The prevalence of chronic conditions among older adults underscores the importance of prioritizing mobility, accessibility, and injury prevention within living spaces early and preferably, before falls happen within the home. To prepare our communities for the shifting age dynamics occurring each day, individuals must be equipped with the proper tools necessary to make their own homes nimble, resilient, safe, and adaptable.
RENOVAHEALTH® occurs in serving as an assistive support towards aging-in-place and long term care by driving down the risk of avoidable, emergent care costs (due to falls, wayfinding issues, etc.), prior to shifts in acuity. An early innovator in addressing these challenges, RENOVAHEALTH® is spearheading a mission to revolutionize aging-in-place experiences through advanced technologies. By leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR), RENOVAHEALTH® aims to enhance the well-being and safety of older adults, promoting a well-balanced environment conducive to healthy aging.
The RENOVAHEALTH® platform integrates AI and AR technologies to provide personalized 3D visualization by identifying and addressing potential fall risk, mobility and wayfinding hazards within homes with unparalleled precision. RENOVAHEALTH®’s approach is distinguished by three main capabilities: the analysis of digital twins, accessible-design e-commerce, and aging-in-place educational resources all within a comprehensive Software as a Service (SaaS) platform. This unique blend of design, technology, and education sets RENOVAHEALTH® apart as a visionary leader in aging-in-place solutions, driving positive outcomes for older adults and caregivers alike.
RENOVAHEALTH® was founded in 2022 by Gracyn Robinson, M.H.L, EDAC, an experienced interior designer with a passion for integrating design and innovation to improve well-being. Gracyn holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership from Brown University, a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College, and an interior design degree from NESAD Suffolk University. With over 20 years of industry expertise and a certification in digital health innovation, Gracyn has served as an invited jurist on multiple national design competitions within the seniors housing and health care space, and is committed to transforming environments that positively impact occupants’ lives. Co-founder, Keno Mullings, brings over 30 years of software engineering experience to RENOVAHEALTH®. As the Founder and CEO of The Mullings Group, LLC, Keno specializes in developing meaningful software solutions for businesses, governments, and nonprofits globally through high fidelity construction. With a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Software Engineering, Keno is dedicated to teaching solutions that promote entrepreneurship and address societal needs through his nonprofit organization, the Institute of Entrepreneurship & Leadership (IEL).
In collaboration with HITLAB, RENOVAHEALTH® is embarking on a strategic partnership aimed at further advancing its mission to revolutionize aging-in-place experiences through cutting-edge technologies. This partnership will unfold across several key phases, each designed to optimize RENOVAHEALTH®’s platform and maximize its impact within the healthcare landscape. HITLAB experts recently conducted a rigorous heuristic analysis of the RENOVAHEALTH® platform that delved deeply into the platform’s usability and functionality, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of user experience and real-world applicability. By identifying strengths and areas for improvement, this phase has laid the groundwork for enhancing the platform’s effectiveness in promoting healthy aging.
Gracyn Robinson, M.Sc., EDAC, Founder of RENOVAHEALTH®, expressed her excitement about the partnership, stating, “In our pursuit to redefine aging-in-place experiences, collaborating with HITLAB marks a pivotal moment. By merging our expertise in design and technology with HITLAB’s strategic insights, we aim to pioneer innovative solutions that empower older adults to age with dignity and independence within their homes. This collaboration signifies our shared commitment to revolutionizing the future of aging.”
Dr. Stan Kachnowski, PhD MPA, HITLAB Chair, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, saying, “Our partnership with RENOVAHEALTH® signifies a concerted effort to address the evolving needs of our aging population. By leveraging RENOVAHEALTH®’s visionary approach to aging-in-place solutions and HITLAB’s proficiency in digital health innovation, we are poised to make substantial advancements in enhancing the quality of life for older adults worldwide. Together, we are dedicated to creating impactful, technology-driven solutions that promote healthy aging and well-being.”
These collaborative efforts underscore the shared commitment of both RENOVAHEALTH® and HITLAB to driving positive change and fostering innovation within the healthcare landscape. This partnership is poised to accelerate its impact in the aging-in-place space, bringing innovative solutions to market and improving the lives of millions of older adults worldwide. Together, they will continue to push the boundaries of technology and design, creating a future where aging is synonymous with independence, safety, and dignity.
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About RENOVAHEALTH®:
RENOVAHEALTH® is a single-source, vertically AI-integrated SaaS platform dedicated to reducing fall risks and increasing mobility within the home. They equip older adults with products, tools and resources to age in place with confidence by linking 3DAR visualization to ADLs and desired outcomes and an accessible design e-commerce and e-learning hub.
About HITLAB:
HITLAB is an impact-first organization offering digital health research, teaching, and advisory services globally, focused on improving health delivery through rigorous research and evidence-based methods.
References:
- Ansah, J. P., & Chiu, C. T. (2023). Projecting the chronic disease burden among the adult population in the United States using a multi-state population model. Frontiers in public health, 10, 1082183.
- Feng, I. M., Chen, J. H., Zhu, B. W., & Xiong, L. (2018). Assessment of and improvement strategies for the housing of healthy elderly: Improving quality of life. Sustainability, 10(3), 722.
- Clarke, P., & Nieuwenhuijsen, E. R. (2009). Environments for healthy ageing: A critical review. Maturitas, 64(1), 14-19.
- Mulliner, E., Riley, M., & Maliene, V. (2020). Older people’s preferences for housing and environment characteristics. Sustainability, 12(14), 5723.
- Fisk, A.D., Czaja, S.J., Rogers, W.A., Charness, N., Czaja, S.J., & Sharit, J. (2009). Designing for Older Adults: Principles and Creative Human Factors Approaches, Second Edition (2nd ed.). CRC Press.
- Nielsen, J. (2012). Usability 101: Introduction to usability.
