Technology is not just for young people. From safety, transportation and food delivery to social connection, entertainment and shopping, technology’s benefits span so many aspects of daily life to reduce stress and empower seniors to maintain their independence.
With each passing year, and particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, seniors are beginning to bridge the technology gap. 75% of seniors have an internet connection that they use daily, and half of all seniors use a smartphone.
Technology for Seniors
Even if you use the internet regularly, there may be some online services that you haven’t thought to utilize. Here are just a few of the ways seniors and older adults can use technology and the impact that technology for older adults can have on social isolation.
Socializing
Being quarantined at home pushed many seniors to learn the many ways they can connect with friends and family online. From scheduling FaceTime calls with grandkids to attending virtual book clubs via Zoom, video chatting is a great way to stay in touch with the people you care about. Plus, the ability to share and receive photos through email and social media makes it easier than ever to stay updated on your loved ones’ lives.
Entertainment
The opportunities for entertainment online are endless. Watching television shows and movies of any genre is easy to do using a streaming service like Netflix. If you want to keep your mind sharp, you can play games and puzzles like sudoku or solitaire on a tablet. You can even stay updated on current events by reading or watching the news online.
Food Delivery
With meal delivery services like Magic Kitchen, Snap Kitchen and even Meals on Wheels, getting a hot meal dropped off at your doorstep only takes a few clicks. For those who prefer to prepare their own food, meal kit delivery services like Hello Fresh and Blue Apron will deliver pre-portioned ingredients each week along with instructions for how to prepare them. Grocery delivery services like Instacart or Amazon Fresh can also be helpful if you don’t have a way to get to a grocery store or would prefer not to do your own grocery shopping.
Education
There’s no greater skill for seniors and older adults to have at their disposal than knowing how to use Google. Online search engines can offer answers and resources to any question you might have, technology-related or otherwise. Additionally, sites like TechBoomers and The Senior’s Guide to Computers offer technology education for seniors in the form of tutorials and videos.
Transportation
Ridesharing and transportation apps like Uber and Lyft are the ideal technology for seniors who no longer drive. You just enter your destination and your smartphone will let you know when your driver is arriving. If you do drive, learning how to use Google maps, Apple Maps or another navigation app can help ensure you never get lost.
Shopping
Save time and energy by shopping for the things you need from the comfort of your home. By taking advantage of online shopping, you can get medications, groceries and clothes delivered to your door, sometimes at an even cheaper price.
Technology Products for Seniors Living at Home
- Cell phone. 91% of seniors own a cell phone. Whether you use a basic cell phone or a smartphone, the ability to communicate with the people you care about and be reachable is essential in today’s world.
- Tablet. Larger than a smartphone but smaller and more portable than a computer, tablets are a perfect low-maintenance tool to access apps, ebooks, social media and more.
- Smart speaker. With a smart speaker, you don’t even need to be at a computer to use the internet. The hands-free device allows you to speak aloud your Google searches, control your music and TV selections, set reminders for yourself, place calls and more.
- Home monitoring system. For older adults aging in place, continuing to live independently for as long as possible is a top priority. Home monitoring and medical alert systems promote safety by alerting caregivers about health emergencies. This can give you and your family peace of mind that you’ll get immediate help should you have a fall or other incident in your home.
- Medication reminder. If you’re on various medications, it can be difficult to remember to take the correct dosage at the right time. A medication reminder device will dispense pills at set times to remind you to take your medication. There are also apps that will notify you when it’s time to take your medication.
Technology Help for Seniors
- Keep a copy of your passwords written down. It’s a smart idea to jot down your passwords in a notebook. Then, if you forget one, you won’t get locked out of your account. You should also change your passwords every few months to avoid attackers gaining access to your accounts and personal information.
- Be wary of scams. Seniors lose $3 billion each year to fraud, so you can never be too careful. Be careful not to click links from unfamiliar sources, double-checked the validity of any offers or deals, and refrain from sharing personal information online.
- Change the settings. Whether you need your text messages read aloud using Siri, a larger text size on your phone or a brighter screen, adjusting the settings to your preferences will make using technology for seniors a more pleasant experience.
Life Insurance Online
Getting a life insurance policy is another important thing seniors can accomplish using the internet. Americo Senior Life can connect you with a wide range of affordable, flexible coverage options that don’t require a medical exam or lengthy application process. In just a few clicks, get a no-obligation life insurance quote for free.