MFA Longevity Market Report
News and insights from thought leaders in the longevity economy
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Dear Colleagues and Friends,
The green shoots of Spring are upon us! Baseball is here. And our two Spring events, the What’s Next Longevity Business Academy and the What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit, are opening their doors to innovators once again. Additionally, there is an abundance of investment into the longevity market from all sectors: angels, venture funds, corporations, crowdfunding, incubators, government, and social impact funds.
I am pleased to have corporate gerontologist Sherri Snelling co-producing the What’s Next Longevity Business Academy with me. We have a very robust set of sessions, which started this week with an exploration of the American Rescue Plan. You can still register to view the recording of this session and participate in future sessions.
Moving forward with the What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit on June 16–17, we have a unique challenge statement for the $10k business plan competition and expect over 30 investors to be present at the Summit. See below for more info.
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As I mentioned at the beginning of this note, we won't be gathering in person yet by June, and I suspect that might be the case in December and January as well. In the meantime, we will continue to share the research and best practices, the deals and companies to watch, and the trends in the industry. Stay tuned.
Warmly,
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INDEX:
- Updates from Mary Furlong & Associates
- What’s Next Longevity Business Academy
- What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit
- New Podcast Episode for What's Next: Living Longer, Better, Smarter
- Corporate Updates
- Books, News, Reports
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There is still time to register for the Academy. Don't miss out!
The What's Next Longevity Business Academy launched this week and runs for 8 weeks through June 8. This year's theme is "How Resilience Can Fuel Growth Strategies in the Longevity Market" with sessions covering key topics such as funding opportunities from the new government stimulus package, Medicare Advantage reimbursements, NIA grant funding, customer-centered design and e-commerce strategies, best practices in pilot programs, how to work with incubators such as AARP Innovation Labs, how to manage strategic business pivots, social isolation and more. Additionally, registrants get the bonus of Business Boot Camps, targeted skills-building classes taught by thought leaders in aging.
Cost is $99 for all sessions and boot camps.
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Join us for the What’s Next Longevity Venture Summit—June 16-17
This event brings together entrepreneurs, leaders in the field of aging, and the venture community to create a unique forum to explore, share, and design products and services that will dominate the longevity market now and in the future. You can learn about the latest partnerships and discover what the funding priorities are for angel, corporate, venture, and social impact investors as well as government funders.
You will hear from the leading stakeholders from the Association of Community Living, the national area agencies on aging and the state directors in aging that are moving forward with innovation at a fast clip. Through it all, innovation is in the air. The COVID pandemic has focused much more attention on new solutions that can mitigate social isolation and provide much-needed services such as food delivery, transportation and remote digital health, as well as new forms of engagement. We want to recognize the amazing resilience of the leadership of the longevity community at every level. More to come on this in the weeks ahead.
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Baseball and Memory: A Double Play
The latest What’s Next Living Longer, Better, Smarter podcast focuses on memory care and dementia, highlighting how baseball can play a role in improving the lives of those in cognitive decline, their loved ones and caregivers.
Check out this episode, as well as previous episodes on our podcast page.
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Promoting Economic Security for Older Women of Color
Across the country, women of all ages are falling even further behind their male peers on the road to a secure retirement. And, the economic struggles of older women of color are particularly acute. Visit AARP.org to read about a virtual conversation that Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s EVP & Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, had with Tracey Gronninger, directing attorney for the economic security team at Justice in Aging, about the challenges women of color face as they age and policies that can help improve their financial stability.
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Constant Companion: Making the world less lonely
More than a quarter of those over 65 living in our communities are considered socially isolated, which can have serious consequences. It is associated with anxiety, depression and a 50 percent increased risk of dementia. A lack of social connections increases the risk of early mortality: it is as bad or your health as obesity or smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
The good news is that technology can help. Voice-activated computer assistants bring a friendly and reliable voice right into the home. Amazon’s Alexa can play a favorite song, tell a joke, or help spell that 12-letter word in the Sunday crossword puzzle. A hands-free device can help people who struggle with other kinds of computers continue to access news, music, weather and all the knowledge of the internet. The interactive nature of voice commands can be a form of connection. Reminders and timers fill an important role that a person may not have otherwise if they are alone. And in case of an emergency, Constant Companion’s round-the-clock urgent response call center is there to respond immediately. Learn more.
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LACA Annual Conference: Back to our Future
LeadingAge California’s 2021 virtual conference is a professionally produced online event. LeadingAge CA will host the conference using a combination of platforms to showcase a user-friendly, engaging live streaming experience. After a successful virtual conference last year, we are ready to enhance your experience with new and updated features to our EXPO platform to ensure your ROI.
Use the discount code: MFA200 when registering.
For your/presenter’s reference, the On-demand LMS is where the Academy sessions will be housed.
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GetSetUp Partners With The State Of New York to Empower Their Older Adults
GetSetUp is expanding its partnerships by adding New York state and bringing technology and community to their older adults. Plus GetSetUp has launched regular celebrity and thought-leading Guest Speakers like Rick Steves.
GetSetUp is excited to announce that the state of New York is bringing community, learning, and technology to their older adults wherever they may be. Learners like Lois and Wendl have been representing New Yorkers on GetSetUp since 2020. They have highlighted how the GetSetUp community has helped them learn essential technology skills for aging, which allow them to create and expand their practical skills while participating in a welcoming group of people from around the world. Now GetSetUp is bringing special Guest Speakers monthly to the GetSetUp platform for learning experiences and fireside chats on topics of interest to our community. This month we kicked off the series with a fireside chat with Rick Steves on "Why We Travel." The GetSetUp community thrives on learning and unlocking new experiences together, so experiment a class today to see why learners from around the globe come to the GetSetUp community to share, learn, create, and feel empowered in a friendly and welcoming virtual community with peers!
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After three decades in service of people who are over the age of 60, Meredith Oppenheim is working to nudge the industry in a new direction—broadening the scope of its offerings to include meaningful online engagement. Her new company, Vitality Society, was launched in January 2020 as an online community with fitness, wellness, and educational courses, as well as opportunities to connect with other older adults. For more information or questions reach out to meredith@vitality-society.com.
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MyndVR announces collaboration with Stanford University and AT&T
We officially announced our collaboration with Stanford University and AT&T on the largest study ever done on VR and the aging population: The Study will examine how older adults' use of VR affects their psychological well-being and their attitudes toward new technologies.
"Our goal since day one has always been to improve the quality of life for older adults," said Chris Brickler, CEO of MyndVR. "We are excited to be part of this study with such a prestigious team at Stanford and to provide this opportunity to the senior living communities within our network."
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Carefree Chronic Care: Help Prevent Hospitalizations of Older Adults
Carefree Chronic Care is focused on preventing hospitalizations for older adults with heart failure and other chronic conditions, enabling them to remain independent longer and safely age in place. Carefree is looking for input from providers, caregivers and experts in older adult health, including geriatricians, primary care physicians, cardiologists, nurses, case managers, administrators and other members of the care team to identify their best practices and the gaps they currently see in providing excellent prevention care. Please email interviews@carefreechroniccare.com If you would like to participate.
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EngAGED Communities | Community of Innovation Podcast, Episode 20
CABHI’s Community of Innovation Podcast is where topics on ingenuity, aging and brain health collide. Join hosts Dr. Allison Sekuler and Dr. Rosanne Aleong as they uncover the practices, tools and innovations helping us all lead longer, healthier lives. Listen to episode 20 of the Community of Innovation Podcast here, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
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Ziegler Link-Age Funds
New Research from OnShift: Senior Care Employees & The COVID-19 Vaccine
OnShift recently conducted two surveys to capture the intent of senior care employees related to the COVID-19 vaccine. The final research report shows a major shift in employee acceptance from the initial survey in December 2020 to the March 2021 findings, with a 94% increase in willingness to take the vaccine and a 41% decrease in plans to decline. This is some very encouraging news. You can now download the full report to learn the perspectives of senior care employees on their willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more here.
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AllyAlign Health Opens On-Site Primary Care Clinic through Joint-Venture Partnership with Westminster Communities of Florida
Westminster Communities of Florida (Orlando, FL), a faith-based not-for-profit organization focused on enhancing the lifestyles and independence of older adults, and AllyAlign Health (Richmond, VA), a care management company focused on improving care access and quality of life for residents in senior living communities, announce the opening of an innovative new primary care practice, Align Senior Clinic at Westminster Towers, in downtown Orlando. The Align Senior Clinic is a joint venture dedicated to providing on-campus primary and preventive care services for residents and team members of Westminster Towers. Align Senior Clinic is the practice’s first site in Orlando and opened its doors on March 17, 2021. To learn more click here.
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The pace of biological ageing in woman is doubling during perimenopause and IgG glycans may predict it
Newson Health Research Education and GlycanAge are conducting a joint “GlycanAge menopause study” through which they are trying to understand the consequence of low hormones levels including oestradiol during and after the menopause on antibody glycosylation. Antibodies are important effectors of our immune system that are actively suppressing overactivation of inflammation in young women. However, with ageing, and particularly during transition to menopause “young” glycans on antibodies decline and are being exchanged with “old” glycans that promote inflammation. Learn more.
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ConnectCareHero
ConnectCareHero’s mission is simple, helping older adults stay socially engaged through relevant live activity programming to help combat social isolation and promote healthy aging.
ConnectCareHero digital social platform for organizations to combat against social isolation by bringing live immersive activity programming for older adults 65+. Learn more about ConnectCareHero here.
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Naboso Launched a Crowd Equity on StartEngine To Support Neuropathy Research
Harfort Healthcare and the Ayer Neuroscience Center have just received IRB approval to conduct a research study to evaluate the efficacy of the Naboso Neuro Insoles for Parkinson's patients.
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MemoryWell recieves The Distinguished Ambassador in Aging Award
MemoryWell was honored to receive the The Distinguished Ambassador in Aging Award from the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) during their Annual Business meeting on April 9. The award is given to an individual or organization that, through their actions, research, or invention has raised national awareness of a critical issue or need in aging and supports the mission and vision of the Aging Life Care Association.
MemoryWell is proud to launch its latest pilot this month with Inflect Health, a new healthcare and investment hub grown from Vituituity, a leading provider of acute care management, healthcare, and medical staffing services and solutions. And we are excited to partner with the Stanford Presence Center to interview Covid patients and patients with disabilities over the coming months to learn more about their experience navigating the healthcare system during the pandemic.
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In Think Again, Adam Grant examines the critical art of rethinking: learning to question your opinions and open other people’s minds, which can position you for excellence at work and wisdom in life.
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Hacking Life Shifts reports key insights from a groundbreaking study of how three generations of Americans are navigating profound changes along the aging journey.
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The New York Times best-selling author of My Stroke of Insight blends neuroanatomy with psychology to show how we can short-circuit emotional reactivity and find our way to peace in Whole Brain Living: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life
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In the News
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US Senator Bob Casey Introduces Bill To Expand PACE — Programs of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly: Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced legislation today, the PACE Plus Act, seeking to expand access to Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This key bill from the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging embodies one of the recommendations from his 2020 Report: Reimagining Aging in America, namely that Congress should bolster the development of additional PACE programs and expand eligibility of enrollment to allow for a greater number of people requiring in home supports to be eligible to receive care in their homes and communities."
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SilverBills Closes $1.5 Million Seed Investment Round to Help Better Serve Clients and Partners "We are happy to announce that last month we closed our $1.5 Million seed investment round. The round was co-led by Hearstlab and Seae Ventures. Funds will be used to bolster our already robust technology platform and security features and add to our team. These developments will allow us to better serve our clients and professional partners."
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New research shows breast cancer treatment in patients over age 70 can be safely reduced A study published today in JAMA Network Open by researchers at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine sheds new light on this choice and suggests the rate of cancer recurrence or survival may be no different in treated vs. untreated elderly patients diagnosed in the early stages of the cancer diagnosed most commonly in women.
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Biden Takes On Sagging Safety Net With Plan to Fix Long-Term Care. The proposal to spend $400 billion over eight years faces political challenges and a funding system not designed for the burden it has come to bear.
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The first study to directly compare immune reactions between Pfizer's and AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccines found strong and broadly similar antibody responses in over-80-year-olds after a first dose of either shot, scientists said on Wednesday.
Funding News
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Cohort, a care management platform centered around at-risk populations, scored $11 million in Series B funding in February 2021. F-Prime Capital led the round, with participation from Town Hall Ventures.
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