Joseph Kvedar, vice president of the Center for Connected Health at Partners HealthCare, believes it’s time to completely rethink what aging means. During a one-day Harvard Catalyst panel held on June 6 at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, as part of a Medical Device Development course focused on healthy aging through technology, Kvedar discussed how innovation can reshape the experience of growing older.
Experts at the event shared that aging is no longer just about decline and isolation. Instead, it’s becoming a more active and meaningful phase of life—one where people stay engaged, build new relationships, volunteer, and continue contributing to their communities. Kvedar emphasized that technology can help individuals stay healthier and more connected for longer.
As a professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School and author of The New Mobile Age, Kvedar highlighted three key factors linked to longevity: having purpose, maintaining social ties, and staying physically active—all of which can be supported by digital tools. However, he warned that the growing number of older adults will require more care than the healthcare system can currently provide. Even doubling the number of medical graduates may not meet future demands.
To address this challenge, Kvedar called for a major shift in how care is delivered—moving beyond traditional one-on-one visits and bringing care into people’s homes through digital health solutions. His team works on tools like telehealth video consultations, remote monitoring for blood pressure and heart rate, and mobile apps that help patients manage chronic conditions such as diabetes.
Panelists also discussed the business side of innovation. Brett Cook from F-Prime Capital noted that investors are most excited about prevention, value-based care, and technologies that allow people to age in place. He advised entrepreneurs to understand the problem they’re solving and design user-friendly products.
Laura Frain, a gerontologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, stressed the importance of listening to patients. She said many older adults value independence and privacy, even when technology could help prevent harm. Since brain health is a top concern, early detection of conditions like dementia is critical.
Innovators on the panel shared examples of emerging solutions. Codi Gharagouzloo of Imaginostics is developing MRI imaging techniques that could detect dementia years before symptoms appear. Jake Reisch founded Eversound, creating wireless headphones for group activities in senior living communities after seeing his aunt struggle with hearing loss. Phil Kongtcheu, twice paralyzed himself, started eMotionRx to design mobility aids that help people live more active lives.
Brian Mullen from Brigham’s Digital Innovation Hub encouraged innovators to look beyond venture capital and consider grants, strategic partnerships, and hospital-based investment funds.
David Levine, a primary care physician at Brigham and Women’s, shared insights from a “home hospital” program where some emergency patients receive hospital-level care in their own homes. Results showed lower costs and better outcomes—patients slept better, moved more, and caregivers avoided extra hospital trips.
Speakers agreed that the future of healthcare will rely on blending technology with compassion to help older adults live healthier, more independent lives.
The session was part of Enabling Healthy Aging with Advanced Technologies, a module within Harvard Catalyst’s Medical Device Development course, which walks participants through the full process of creating successfulhealth innovations.
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