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Seniors Embrace Technology for Safety and Convenience

elderly man with robot

 

While the stereotype that seniors are slow to adopt new technologies may be partially true, according to Pew Research, two-thirds of adults age 65 and older use the internet. In addition to the usual benefits that everyone enjoys, internet use helps many seniors stay connected to family and friends, an essential part of aging well. A study conducted by University of Exeter researchers concluded that adults aged 60 to 95 who received computer equipment and training “had heightened feelings of self-competence, engaged more in social activity, had a stronger sense of personal identity, and showed improved cognitive capacity.”

 Here are some other forms of technology that seniors are using to lead better lives.

Smartphones

As with the population at large, smartphones help seniors stay in closer touch with family and friends, get information quickly, and provide driving directions to unfamiliar locations. One advantage of smartphones is that most provide voice capabilities, making it easier for those with arthritis or other chronic conditions. Additionally, there are apps that provide medication reminders and track how many steps the user takes each day or how many flights of stairs they have climbed. There are even sensors that can monitor home activity and send an alert to the smartphone of a loved one, letting them know the senior has fallen.

Tablets

Tablets have many of the technologies of smartphones, with the advantage of having a larger screen than smartphones, making for a better reading and viewing experience for newspaper articles, watching videos, and playing online games. They are more convenient and portable than computers, making them the perfect device for many seniors to access the internet and stay in touch with loved ones. A study from the University of Texas at Dallas’ Center for Vital Longevity suggests that tablets may be able to help older adults keep their brains sharp. They divided study participants into three groups – those who received iPads, those who were tasked with having conversations about assigned topics and those who did activities such as working on word puzzles. All three groups took cognitive tests before and after the study. Results showed that the iPad group was better able to recall information about past experiences and were able to do simple mental tasks more quickly.

Voice-first devices

These devices include Amazon’s Echo (Alexa) and Google’s Assistant. They can provide reminders to take medication or turn off the stove, play music, engage with other smart technology in the home to turn off lights or turn up the temperature, and dispense information – everything from the current weather conditions to how far the earth is from the sun. In a small study conducted at the Carlsbad by the Sea retirement community in California, Alexa was introduced to 50 residents, most of whom were older than 80. Seventy-five percent of study participants used their voice-first devices daily and almost as many said Alexa helped them feel more connected to family, friends and the rest of their community. The devices also gave them more independence, as they no longer needed to ask help from staff members to turn on lights or adjust the temperature of their room.

Personal robots

The full potential of personal robots has yet to be realized. Currently, personal robots can vacuum your floor, dispense information, and keep you company. New innovations that are just entering the marketplace or being tested include robots that can assist with everyday tasks such as getting food from the kitchen, washing your hair, dispensing medication and helping people get in and out of wheelchairs. In addition to helping out with personal tasks, personal robots can provide a steady companion, which may help ease loneliness and keep seniors more engaged in life, which, as we have discussed before, in essential to aging well.

Helping Seniors Take Advantage of Technology

If you have a loved one who is slow to embrace technology here are some tips to help them see the benefits.

Take it slow

Start with technology your loved one already uses and help them expand their use of it. For example, it they have a smartphone, but don’t text, walk them through how to set up a contact list and show them how easy it is to text.

Demonstrate the softer side of technology

Show them how technology helps them stay in touch with their grandkids and keep current on their activities and achievements. Appeal to their heart and their minds will follow.

Be available to assist

Your loved one will undoubtedly have some issues at first. Be patient and be willing to help. Enlist grandkids to help out.

Categories: Senior Health