Apple and IBM team up to give iPads to Japanese seniors

The iPads will have apps built specifically for the elderly, and tech to make them easier to use

We've been hearing for years and years about what is going to happen in the United States when all of the boomers start getting old and retiring, something that is now actually starting to come to fruition. But what about the rest of the world? Do they have to deal with a similar problem? Yes, of course they do. 

The global elderly population will increase from 11.7 percent in 2013 to more than 21 percent by 2050. Japan, in particular, seems to be dealing with a big crisis in terms of its aging population. Right now, more than 33 million seniors make up about 25 percent of Japan’s population. That number if projected to grow to 40 percent over the next 40 years.

If almost half of the entire population will be elderly, you can only imagine what the costs of that might be in terms of healthcare alone, But Apple and IBM have decided to do preemptively do something about to try to help ease the situation.

The two companies, which entered into a global partnership last year, have now teamed up with Japan Post Group in order to create "a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at improving the quality of life for millions of Japanese senior citizens," it was announced on Thursday. 

That means that the companies will deliver iPads, equipped with with IBM-developed apps and analytics, to millions of Japanese seniors.

The iPads will include capabilities such as FaceTime, Messages, Mail, Photos and iCloud Photo Sharing, along with access to content in the App Store, iTunes Store and iBooks Store. They will also including settings for low vision and hearing impaired users.

They will also have apps that are built specifically for the elderly by IBM Global Business Services. That includes reminders and alerts about medications, exercise and diet, along with direct access to community activities and supporting services such as grocery shopping and job matching.

In addition, the iPads will also have technology to make the devices feel more natural to seniors, with Japanese natural language analysis and tracking to guide them.

Following a pilot program, Japan Post Group will expand the service, and is planning to give iPads to between four million to five million customers by 2020.

Established in 2007 under the Postal Service Privatization Act in Japan. Japan Post Holdings provides postal, banking and insurance services. The company says that, through its infrastructure, it has "existing financial relationships with nearly all of the 115 million adults in Japan."

“This initiative has potential for global impact, as many countries face the challenge of supporting an aging population, and we are honored to be involved in supporting Japan’s senior citizens and helping enrich their lives,” Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, said in a statement. “iPad is incredibly intuitive, easy to use and has accessibility features built in, making it a perfect device for any generation to be connected and engaged.” 

This initiative to help the aging population certainly seems more practical than the one devised by Google a couple of years ago, with the idea of putting an end to the agin crisis altogether. 

Calico was a company that was founded by Google in 2013, whose was to take on the aging process. The focus was said to be on health and well-being, particularly when it comes to aging and diseases associated with that process.

Last year, Calico teamed up with biopharmaceutical company AbbVie to create a big new research and development facility, where they will develop anti-aging drugs.

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