Judging

Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit certificates will be awarded by Categories. Using a rating scale of 1-100, a panel of experts will judge entries based on the following criteria. All judges’ decisions are final. Awards packets will be sent to winners in late summer. Selected winners may also be awarded special “Nana Technology™” recognition by George Mason University’s Program in Assisted Living/Senior Housing — see details below.

General Judging Criteria

Is the entry appropriate for an older adult audience?

Is the product/technology user-friendly for older adults? (Consider device assembly, set up, and ease-of-use.)

Will the product/technology be beneficial to the user and/or their family?

Does the product/technology fill a need within the market?

Web sites

Is the site appropriate for an older adult audience?

Is the site user-friendly for older adults? (Consider font sizes, navigation, overall design and ease-of-use.)

Is the site beneficial to the user and/or their family?

Will the site attract and hold users’ interests?

Overall site use of the Web’s interactive nature—not simply an electronic version of a brochure or newsletter, etc.

Special “Nana Technology™” Recognition
Selected entries may also be recognized as Nana Technology winners, a term developed by Andrew Carle, Director of the George Mason University Program in Assisted Living/Senior Housing Administration. Professor Carle describes Nana Technology as technologies “designed, intended or that can otherwise be used to improve quality of life for older adults.” The Nana Technology awards are sponsored by George Mason University.