Technology has been a seismic revelation that is embraced by all in the 21st century. More recently, there has been an exponential growth in the number of seniors embracing modern technology. Hence, many technology manufacturers are now developing devices to cater to the needs of this demographic group. However, there remains a significant number of seniors who are still hesitant to incorporate technology into their daily lives. Most of their fears range from being intimidated by the complexity of technology to being physically incapable of learning it. Many older adults are also of the mindset that technology is made for the younger generation.
It is completely understandable for seniors to feel overwhelmed about learning new technology. Having a more comprehensive understanding of the benefits of technology may perhaps alter the negative notions that you have regarding the topic. Here are five key reasons why seniors should keep up with technology.
Safety
With advancements in technology, you can be kept safe with personal monitoring devices. These devices can monitor the user’s motion, location, and sleep patterns as well as send alerts to family members. They can be paired with GPS tracking, health monitoring, and other alert systems to aid caregivers too. You can call for assistance simply by pushing a button on your device or by using a smartphone to contact your loved ones in the event of an emergency. With technology, wireless home security systems can also be set up and linked to applications so that family members will receive notifications if someone is detected in the senior’s home, or if the door has been opened.
Health and Wellness
Technology can help you to keep fit and stay active. Health monitoring applications can log activities and store health statistics. Some applications even have exercise training videos that you can access for your home workouts.
There are also applications that can aid you in managing your health such as medication reminders, heartbeat trackers, and prescription refills. You can be reminded to take your medication via notifications from your smartphone. In addition, a notification can also be sent to your family if you have not consumed your medication for the day.
Staying Informed
Technology allows you to look for information pertaining to your health. With the internet, you can learn about the side effects of your medications, and read about the latest information on the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments of specific ailments. Some applications can also connect you directly to a licensed nurse from whom you can get advice or guidance regarding any health-related issues.
Convenience and Accessibility
Technology is ideal for seniors with limited mobility or for those who find it unsafe to venture outside at their age. For instance, shopping can now be done online with the items delivered right to your doorstep at a designated date and time. Also, transportation services, food delivery, and medicine refills can be done remotely with the aid of technology.
Source of Entertainment
In your golden years, you should enjoy life and have a relaxed and stress-free mind. Technology serves as a source of entertainment with a wide range of movies and TV shows available on Netflix, Hulu, or On Demand. You can also use Spotify or iTunes to listen to your favorite music. There is also a plethora of online games to keep their minds active, and e-books for those who love reading.
Embrace Technology
With the vast number of benefits you can get from technology, it is time for you to incorporate it into your life. Take a leap of faith and for a start, learn to navigate the internet with your smartphone today!
