Technology For Seniors: What tech do seniors love
Many seniors fear new technology, worrying that it will be too complicated for them to learn to use, or that they will somehow break the expensive equipment. Let us put those fears to rest with our list of gear that is great for seniors. Many new tablets and smart phones have features built in to help seniors get the most out of them and enjoy connecting with younger family members at the same time.
- Tablets: The most popular tablet is the Apple iPad, and this device is a favourite amongst seniors. It allows you to play games, chat with family, check emails, and do so much more with Apple’s signature user friendly interface. Settings can be changed to increase text size and icon size to make it easier for seniors to use. The beauty of using tablets is that they work with or include many other technical features, making them a great all-in-one option for seniors.
- Health Trackers: Things like FitBit or Apple Watch can give a wealth of health information to seniors and the health care team when worn daily. Working with a tablet or smart phone these wearable devices, which look like attractive digital watches, make it easy to see how active you’ve been, track your heart rate, and other important health informaiton. The added benefit is that in the last year or two the prices have dropped on these devices making them affordable for most.
- Wireless home monitoring: This one might be the most trendy entry on the list. As more and more companies are looking at ways to use smart phones and tablets to help automate our lives, home automation is making advances every day. The most popular device is NEST, an automatic thermostat that learns how you like your home heated, then automatically adjusts the temperature throughout the day to suit your preferences without your input. Another popular device is Amazon’s Alexa, which is a voice controlled device that can re-order products for you on Amazon, play music, or look up information online, simply by asking it a question.
- GPS: One of the older technologies on this list and one of the most used in day-to-day life. Built into every smartphone now, you simply input your destination and hit ‘start’ for step by step instructions. Some systems even use other GPS device data to find stoppages or blockages in your route to help you get there on time. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can still buy stand alone devices that use satellite signals to help you get to your destination.
- Skype: Another classic tech that is still widely used today. Skype lets you have face-to-face conversations with your loved ones and friends who might not live nearby any more. This favourite is used by grand-parents to check in on their grand-kids across the country, or even those who just down the road. All you need is a device connected to the internet and a video camera connected to that device (usually built into your device) to stream your face to your friends and family.
If you have any concerns or would like some help living more comfortably at home, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-866-982-2737 and speak with some about setting up an at home care assessment today.
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