Learning to navigate new technology can be intimidating for anyone, but especially older adults. However, if and when they are willing to try using items like smartphones, electronic tablets, computers and social media, the benefits technology can provide for seniors in staying connected with the world and loved ones will become clear.
For example, feeling isolated is a problem many seniors experience. Using technology will let them easily interact with loved ones, thereby reducing their stress level and letting them have fun! Being able to maintain a virtual connection with their children, grandchildren and friends, whether they live around the corner or on the other side of the globe, becomes something elderly grandparents can look forward to and enjoy.
The Statistics:
According to recent studies, approximately 94 percent of people over the age of 65 own cellphones, with 76 percent of them being smartphone users. The percentage is certain to continue to increase, along with the 70 percent rate of seniors who have home broadband internet service.
What technology are seniors using? Approximately 45 percent say they participate on social media sites, including Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter), in order to keep up with the world around them. These tech-savvy seniors are video chatting, exchanging pictures and replacing the traditional hand-written letter with emails and texts. They’re also downloading apps that allow them to manage their health and diet, participate in virtual exercise classes or to keep their cognitive skills sharp. Your senior loved one can enjoy the same benefits.
Useful Smartphone Apps for Seniors:
Staying Connected
- FaceTime – Designed for use with Apple’s iPhone, iPad tablets as well as iMac computers, this app allows voice and video calls to owners of other Apple products at the touch of a button. It comes pre-installed on Apple products.
- Microsoft Teams – Another great option for iPhone or Android users is Microsoft Teams. It works similarly to Facetime, in that it allows you to video call with the touch of a button. You can also schedule calls in advance and chat using the in-app chat feature.
- Google Meet – This application allows users to chat from any device via the Google Meet app. The free version of the app is available to anyone with a Google account. Like Teams, Google Meet allows you to schedule calls in advance. It also provides real-time live captions for those with hearing impairments.
Fitness
- MyFitnessPal – Keep track of your calories, water intake and exercise by logging your meals and pairing the app with a smart watch or the fitness function on your smart phone. MyFitnessPal even offers access to healthy recipes, articles related to health and wellness, and a community group with posts from users about their own health journeys.
- SilverSneakers Go – Tailormade exercise programs are available at your fingertips, allowing you to choose from ones focused on strength, flexibility, and mobility, and appropriate to your own fitness level. The app can help locate local gyms and fitness classes, where you can make friends with other active seniors. Or, it can help you keep track of your exercise activity from home — ideal for seniors who aren’t able to drive to in-person classes.
Keeping Cognitive Skills Sharp
- Caribu – This is an app that was specifically designed to keep grandparents and grandchildren connected. Caribu offers a variety of games, stories and activities that can be done together! This app also uses video and voice connections to help seniors feel close to their grandchildren, even if they live far away.
- AARP Online Games – If you’re concerned your elderly parent will get bored with the same few games downloaded on their device, connect them to the AARP Online Games library. There, they’ll find all kinds of fun, useful and interesting games that will sharpen their cognitive skills. Ranging from card games to puzzles and even online chess, the possibilities are practically limitless.
So, now that your senior loved one knows what is possible when using a wireless device, how do you teach them to use it? Well, with the internet, of course! YouTube offers a wide variety of smartphone tutorials for seniors that teach them everything they need to know about how to work their new device. A variety of easy-to-navigate paperback books are available at local libraries and for purchase online to instruct seniors how to operate their phones and serve as a reference as their skills become more advanced.
Get more tips on senior connectivity by visiting Bethesda’s technology blog.
