Keeping Seniors Connected Through Technology

Learning to navigate new technology can be intimidating for older adults. However, if and when they are willing to try things like smartphones, electronic tablets, computers, and social media, they will start to realize the benefits technology can provide for them in staying connected with the world.

For example, isolation is a problem many seniors experience. But using technology will allow them to interact with loved ones, reduce their stress level, and will let them have a lot of 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, it’s been determined that around 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% rate of seniors who have home broadband internet service.

What technology are seniors using? More than a third 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. They’re video chatting, exchanging pictures and replacing the traditional hand-written letter with emails or even texting. 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.
• Skype – Are you an Android phone user, or are you trying to reach someone who is? Then Skype is for you. It works basically the same as FaceTime. But it’s designed for both the iPhone and Android.
• Tapestry – This application allows users to share messages and photos and videos with their families free from advertisements and interruptions.

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 programs focused on strength, flexibility, and mobility appropriate to your own fitness level. The app helps you find local gyms and fitness classes, where you can make friends with other active seniors. Or, log an 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 through interactivity. Caribu offers a variety of games, stories, and activities that can be done together! This app also uses video and voice connection 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 and useful games that will sharpen their cognitive skills while keeping things interesting. Ranging from card games to puzzles and even online chess, the possibilities are limitless.

So, now that your senior loved one knows the benefits of using a wireless device to organize their life and stay connected, how do you teach them to use it? Well, with the internet, of course! YouTube offers a wide variety of smart phone 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 to instruct seniors how to operate their phones and serve as a reference as their skills become more advanced.

Learn the latest in senior connectivity by visiting Bethesda’s technology blog.