Fox News' Eben Brown reports that a New-York based health plan is experimenting with robotic pets to help alleviate social isolation. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For some seniors, retirement brings the unbridled joy of more time with loved ones -- but for others, the golden years can end up being quite blue. More than a third of older adults said they feel lonely at least once a week, according to the University of Michigan's National Poll on Healthy Aging. The U.S. Surgeon General even called loneliness and social isolation a "serious health epidemic" in his Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.

Researchers dreaming up such high-tech innovations to make the lives of senior citizens easier are convening this week at an unusual technology exhibition at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Woodley Park. The event, timed to coincide with a once-a-decade White House Conference on Aging, is open to the public today. While new tech products are usually focused on the young and hip, the technologists at the 30 or so companies making an appearance here are taking the same components used in, say, the latest flashy "smart phone" to help those in their golden years maintain control over their lives. A watch from Intel Corp. could beam medication reminders to a patient's television set -- or place a discreet reminder phone call, for those wanting more privacy. Chester the Talking Pill, designed at the University of Rochester, is a wall-mounted LCD screen with a built-in software avatar trained to tell patients anything about their prescription drugs.