Evaluation Standards

We do not accept vendor claims. We do not care about the UI trend of the week. If a product claims to support aging, it is subjected to this framework.

1. Clinical Validity

Does the core mechanism of action have peer-reviewed backing? We look for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or large-scale longitudinal data.

Must cite non-vendor-funded research.
N-value must be statistically significant for the target demographic.
Metrics must align with established clinical scales (e.g., UPDRS for Parkinson's, MoCA for cognitive).

2. Accessibility (Physical & Cognitive)

A tool that works perfectly for a 30-year-old developer is irrelevant if it fails a 80-year-old with tremors and mild cataracts.

Contrast: Minimum WCAG AAA for critical UI elements.
Target Size: Minimum 44x44px touch targets.
Cognitive Load: Linear workflows. No hidden menus (hamburgers) for critical tasks.

3. Data Ethics & Privacy

Older adults are frequently exploited for data harvesting. We penalize tools that over-collect or share data with third parties.

Data must be siloed and encrypted at rest.
Strict opt-in, not opt-out.
Clear data deletion pathways (the "Right to be Forgotten").

4. Infrastructure Resiliency

Medical reliance requires uptime. If the internet fails, does the user fall? Does the door lock them in?

Local-first architecture prioritized over cloud-dependent.
Hardware must fail gracefully (e.g., smart lock becomes a dumb lock, not a brick).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this assessment vendor-neutral?

Yes. AgeTech Clinic accepts zero funding or hardware from vendors. All metrics are independently derived from published clinical data.

How often is this data updated?

We review the clinical landscape quarterly. If a new firmware update significantly alters device performance, we update our matrix immediately.

Deep Dive: Related Clinical Assessments

Explore our full matrix of technology evaluations. Each area focuses on distinct physical, cognitive, and architectural requirements for aging-in-place.