Seniors Warming to Tech Innovations

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that people over age 60 are out of touch with today’s technology. While older adults may not be snap-chatting each other, they are far from being left behind in the tech world. In fact, older adults are figuring out new ways to make the most of tech gadgets and adapting them to their particular needs.

For example, some older people have difficulty reading normal size text because of aging vision. Others cannot easily get to their local library or bookstore. E-Readers, Kindles and IPads offer an easy solution. With these devices, the text size is adjustable and there are many low-cost and free books, magazines and newspapers available from online libraries and websites. It takes some time to adjust to not turning paper pages, but  the convenience can be well worth the trade-off.

The IPad is one of the most popular devices for older adults. Ease of operation is a top ranked feature. Many seniors with hearing problems team up their IPad with headphones to watch television programs without disturbing others. Other are enjoying games, email messaging and internet surfing with their IPad.

Another gadget gaining favor with older adults is the voice activated assistance device. You may know it as an Echo or simply, ‘Alexa.” Alexa can be called on to set a cooking timer, create a shopping list or get a quick weather update. Need a reminder to take a pill? Ask Alexa to tell you when. Want a new joke when your grandkids are coming for a visit? Ask Alexa. While Alexa cannot call 911, its Ask My Buddy feature will alert one or all of your friends, family members, or caregivers via email, message or a phone call of an emergency. Music can be requested by artist or genre and is the No. 1 reason people use Alexa. 

Some seniors are providing trusted friends or family with joint access to their phones so they have the ability to monitor their whereabouts. Using the Find My Phone app, those who share access can get real-time location updates for their seniors who are traveling. Others are providing joint access to their Echo so family or caregivers can make sure they are up and around in the morning or can check their shopping list and pick up any needed items before a visit.

New gadgets can be intimidating and require patience to get used to. But don’t give up! Learning new skills is good for everyone, and the benefits far outweigh the frustrations of getting through the learning curve.

If you would like to learn more about your health, life or other insurance options, please call me at 440-255-5700 or email me at Lmutsko@mutskinsurance.com. We can discuss the various options and I will help you find the right insurance plan for you.