The use of technology by seniors has increased considerably in the last few years. The stigma that older adults are resistant to technology is becoming a thing of the past.
Studies show that technology use by seniors has escalated significantly in areas like smartphone and tablet ownership, e-reader use, and online banking.
The research has indicated that lack of technological skills are not necessarily due to age or interest levels, but more to do with education and accessibility.
As education about technology becomes more widespread, and affordable access to technological devices is on the rise, the more exposure seniors get to learning new technical skills.
Digital Life Skills for Seniors Ottawa
Computer literacy can be of major assistance to older adults in a variety of ways.
Some areas that improved tech skills can offer advantages in, may be:
- Financial tasks and records
- Learning & Education
- Entertainment
- Travel
- Connection to Friends and Family
- Lifestyle and Health
Finances
Seniors can sometimes have difficulties staying on top of their finances as they get older.
Technology can help with organization and payment methods for bills and other monthly expenses.
Online banking is simple to set up, and then monthly payments can be automated to prevent neglected payments and possible discontinuation of services.
Paperless billing is also a great way to reduce paper clutter around the house and protect the environment.
Learning & Education
Learning new things is one of the best ways to keep the brain stimulated to help ward off Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
The internet offers a vast and boundless source of information on just about anything you can think of. Of course, there is a lot of trash and false data out there and people offering faulty advice.
Make sure the source of your information is a reliable and credible one.
There are all kinds of free online courses to learn about exciting new subjects, including improving digital literacy.
Entertainment
Endless hours of entertainment are available at your fingertips, for things like music, games, TV shows, movies, and books.
TV shows and movies can be accessed through entertainment sites like Netflix or Crave.
Music can be found through tons of online radio stations, or Youtube for video and audio files.
Options are bountiful for online games that can be played on a PC, or through downloaded apps to your smartphone.
Online crossword puzzles and word games are also easily accessible.
E-readers like Kindle or Kobo are perfect for storing large amounts of e-books on a solitary device.
Travel
Planning a trip? Technology is your friend to help you find cheap flights and accommodation online.
With the assistance of technology, you can plan your entire trip in advance down to the last detail. This can help take some of the worry and stress out of travel.
For international communication, apps like WhatsApp can be downloaded to your smartphone for free texting and calling features from any country you may be traveling to.
Technology is also very useful for just navigating your way around your local area.
Google maps can offer suggested routes and travel time for a trip to the park or community event. It is also very useful for finding your way around if you happen to get lost.
Making a Connection
Staying connected to family and friends can become more difficult with age. Especially if it is someone that lives far away.
Skype can be used for free video or audio calls.
Email is one of the most convenient and effective ways to keep in touch with people in different geographical locations.
Social media sites are also a very popular to stay connected and see what friends and family are up to.
Lifestyle and Health
This is often a huge area of interest for older adults. Growing health concerns can cause all kinds of problems for seniors, including limited mobility and cognitive decline.
Useful information about the symptoms, causes, treatments, and prevention for a diverse range of health conditions can be found online.
Again, it is very important to make sure you are getting you information from a valid and factually accurate website.
Official government health sites, and health care professionals with qualifications and experience tend to be the best sources.
There are also a variety of technological devices that can be worn to track health data, like blood pressure, posture, fall risks, vital signs, and a many other health issues.