Gerontech – Geront’innovations and the Silver Economy
Résumé
The Silver Economy can be considered to be a set of economic activities oriented towards: the spheres of production and distribution of goods and services corresponding to the needs of the elderly; and the preparation of a field of well-being for the youngest categories of individuals who will sooner or later enter the aging process. Demographic changes could generate the market for the Silver Economy, fostering innovation and economic growth. This chapter proposes the term “geront'innovations” to describe the forms of potential innovations, which are not restricted to the technological dimension. The identification of technologies developed to support and increase the wellbeing of frail and dependent elderly people has led us to put forward much broader forms of innovation than the simple introduction of new products and technological processes in markets and production processes.