According to the The MIT AgeLab website:

In 1900, life expectancy for much of the industrialized world was under 50. Today, living well into one's 70s, 80s and beyond can be expected.

The MIT AgeLab was created in 1999 to invent new ideas and creatively translate technologies into practical solutions that improve people's health and enable them to "do things" throughout the lifespan.

The MIT AgeLab brings together research teams of business leaders and the aging community to innovate ways that will help everyone live and work better as we get older.

One such innovation is an Age Suit called AGNES, which simulates what it is like to live as a 74-year old person. Wearers of AGNES see and feel (with reduced vision, flexibilty, and mobiliy) as if they are many years older.

The hope is that these ideas will promote a better understanding and infuse creative solutions in all aspects of life for older adults such as transportation issues, retail experiences, retirement, housing and social programs, and general overall living, much of the time with reduced mobility and physical and mental capabilities.

With the first baby boomers reaching the age of 65 this year, and 70 million of them in the United States alone, aging represents a challenge for seniors and the businesses and services that impact them. The MIT AgeLab is working to address many of these concerns.

For more information visit the MIT AgeLab website at:

http://agelab.mit.edu