Health IT could give seniors independence, consumers more control

In this pair of articles, news outlets report on how technology is playing a role in health care.

HealthyCal: Technology Might Give Elders Independence
In what is being called "connected independence," more seniors are staying right where they want to be - at home - where they receive medical care assisted by technology that monitors chronic disease, provides early detection of illness, reminds seniors to take pills, coordinates care among providers, and may even improve cognitive function using "brain fitness" programs. ... Unlike the latest Apple product release, however, awareness about technical solutions for the aging is relatively scarce - for both the public and doctors (Perry, 7/10).

San Jose Mercury News: Web Startups Aim To Give Consumers More Control Over Their Health
HealthTap and Simplee are part of a growing wave of Web 2.0 startups that are using mobile and social technology to give consumers more control over their health. From turning smartphones into diagnostic tools to helping users shop for health plans and providers, these young companies hope to bring Silicon Valley know-how to bear on age-old problems (Delevett, 7/10).