Many older adults avoid technology due to the perception that many gadgets aren’t senior-friendly, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Thanks to some wonderful tech advancements, it can be easier than ever for older people to embrace new technology and incorporate it into their daily lives.
Here are just a few new pieces of technology for seniors that can make life easier and more connected for you or your loved one.
Using Technology to Help Older Adults
Fall Detection Systems
Senior living communities are the right choice for many older adults. Many, however, prefer aging in place in the comfort of their own home. While staying at home can bring great comfort, it also comes with risks, including the risk of serious injury and hospitalization due to falls.
In these cases, setting up a fall detection system can help give yourself or your older family member peace of mind that you can access help right away in the event of a fall. Popular options include wearable medical alert devices like those from Life Alert, which allow seniors who have fallen to contact emergency response professionals in real-time.
Smart Home
A fall detection system is a great first step to making a home senior-friendly. Another way to incorporate new tech into the home is introducing a smart home system, like Amazon Echo or Google Home. Properly set up, a voice-activated smart home system can:
- Make it easy to turn lights on and off, making it easier to see potential obstacles and thereby reducing the risk of falls
- Offer seniors reminders for bedtime, doctor’s appointments, and taking medications
- Help seniors set up shopping lists and order groceries online
Telehealth
Visiting the doctor is important, but sometimes life happens, and getting around is difficult. In these cases, it’s important to have alternatives in place to help older people access healthcare. Fortunately, seniors can take charge of their well-being from the comfort of their own home with the help of telehealth, or telemedicine, technology.
Examples of incorporating telemedicine tech into a senior’s daily routine include:
- Having wellness checks with healthcare providers through a video call
- Using a smartwatch or another fitness tracker to track health information like heart rate
- Speaking to a counselor or psychiatrist over the phone
Video Chats
Staying connected to others is a great way to boost mental health. While there is no substitute for face-to-face interactions, virtual visits can supplement in-person gatherings when traveling isn’t an option.
Ways to help a senior connect virtually include:
- Setting up a Zoom or FaceTime account for them, showing them how the app works, and making the app easy to access on their cell phones, laptops, or tablet home screen
- Setting up a social media account, such as Facebook, showing them how it works, and making it easy to access
- Getting them a dedicated iPad or GrandPad with no extra frills, so navigating the tablet device (and accessing social media, video calls, and more) is easy
Electronic Picture Frames
One of the greatest joys of aging is getting to look back on many years of happy memories. Help yourself or the older adult in your life enjoy those memories with an electronic picture frame. Simply upload old photos to the frame, sit back, and reminisce on years of great memories.
Other Assistive Technology
Other popular pieces of technology for seniors include:
- Screen readers
- Automated medication dispensers
- GPS locators (especially for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia)
- Mobility aids
- Hearing aids
Connecting Seniors and their Loved Ones with Technology at Avista Senior Living Communities
At Avista Senior Living, we use technology for seniors every single day to foster connections, monitor residents’ well-being, and encourage hobbies like reading. Contact us today to learn more about how we can use technology to help yourself or an older adult in your life or find an Avista community near you to schedule a tour and see the Avista Difference for yourself up close.
Disclaimers: This article is for informational purposes only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. This article makes no health claims, direct or implied. Avista Senior Living has not been paid to mention any device, brand, or company in this article.