In tech, we’ve moved from vinyl to tape to Walkmans to CD to MP3, MP4, and finally to online streaming—all within a few generations. Those who’ve lived through this transition have enjoyed the journey, but senior citizens haven’t been as fortunate. The example of music is just one of many illustrating the breakneck pace of technological advancements.
From Tetris to VR, from black-and-white films to today’s multi-dimensional cinemas, technology hasn’t always considered seniors in its design. But now, as advancements stabilize, it’s finally possible to present seniors with the tech wonders that can make their lives easier.
1. Safety Apps
Safety is paramount for senior citizens who want to dive into tech. It’s essential to understand that what younger generations take for granted, or even find boring, can be overwhelming for seniors installing their first app. Viber or Telegram? Chrome or Firefox? While younger users can make these decisions instantly and spot fake news, apps, and scams with ease, seniors may struggle. This is where spy apps can help, guiding them during their first steps online and beyond. But then, which spy app should they pick?
Journalist Krishi Chowdhary’s review can help them with deciding between mSpy and Eyezy, as spy apps benefit both sides. They can show users how much and when they access certain apps and where data is going. With various features, pricing, and interfaces, spy apps can appeal to senior citizens who aim to stay safe on the internet, and they can provide valuable info to their more tech-savvy family members.
2. Simple Devices
A smartphone or a tablet has become something so ordinary, and we take them for granted. Many are not even aware of the fact that we have the entire history and the sum of all human knowledge at the palm of our hands, available 24/7, anywhere we want. In the sea of devices, senior users can get overwhelmed with the sudden onslaught of data if they are left alone to pick the right device for them.
Ram, battery capacity, processing power, pixel count, compatibility, operating systems, versions, and let’s stop there before we get a headache, can get too much. The great thing about technology is that it’s there for everyone now, and it’s possible to find the best custom-made tablets for seniors that are easy to use and a good jumping point. As senior users are always light users in the beginning, such specialized devices can help them overcome their fear of technology.
3. Show them the benefits
You can talk about the latest technological breakthrough and the awesome new VR integration with AI until you turn blue, but you won’t change their opinion. Senior users are practical, and they will use a device if it benefits them. Practical examples of how technology can positively affect their physical and mental health may do the trick in convincing them to finally try something new. The easiest example would be to Zoom call their distant grandchildren, or maybe use it to communicate with their friends and other relatives.
Or, it can be used to keep in touch while you’re all on vacation. Devices today have voice assistants that are advanced enough to answer questions and perform talk-to-write, and with AI, they can go even further. Enabling Alexa or Google Assistant on any device may make it less daunting for them to try something new.
Embracing modern tech can be lifesaving for seniors who may face health emergencies. Devices like personal medical alert for seniors provide immediate assistance when necessary and ensure their safety and peace of mind. Equipped with features such as fall detection, GPS tracking, and emergency response capabilities, these systems help older adults remain independent while giving their families peace of mind. Using these technologies enables seniors to quickly access vital help, bridging any gap between minor incidents and more serious care needs.
4. Display something familiar
If you want to get senior users into tech, don’t show them something familiar to you, but what’s familiar to them. Gaming can be a perfect getaway for them to accept a device and begin to explore what’s on it. All-time classics are still present, and we can see Tetris Forever making a comeback. Such old-school games are something seniors can relate to, recognize, and feel safer around, especially compared to modern, flashy, fast-paced games. Games that they know how to play will make them use the device, and games are proven to be good for memory, reflexes, and coordination. After all, perhaps the now-seniors used to play them thirty years ago with their kids when they were launched. Hence, it will also be a positive walk down the memory.
You can start with Tetris, add Minesweeper, and then Solitaire as you move on. The more seniors use their devices, the more adapted they become to them. With time and practice, it will become part of their daily routine, and they won’t see it as something alien, scary, or unknown anymore.
