Technology That Helps Seniors Live Life to Its Fullest
When you finally hit that retirement goal, you may enjoy your new quiet schedule, at least for the first little while. However, after years of interacting daily with friends, family, and co-workers, many seniors find it hard to transition to long days without those interactions. Days may drag by, and filling the hours can feel tedious and lonely.
Boredom and loneliness aren’t the only negative results of increasing isolation, though; your mental and physical health could also be at risk. Fortunately, there are many resources available today that can help you enjoy your retirement years to the fullest. One solution may come from a surprising direction: technology designed to help people stay fully engaged with life and community.
Need help finding quality senior services and resources in Northeast Ohio? Discuss your options with a senior advocate from Senior Comfort Guide. Call us at 216-292-8485
Technology Focused on You
As Sixty + Me explains, there’s an entire industry focused on providing innovative technology geared to adults over 50. Using information gathered from the government at federal and state levels, published research, and surveyscompleted by the International Council on Active Aging, movement leaders hope to lead the way in providing education, resources, and tools across the many dimensions of aging to improve the lifestyle of those aged 50 and beyond.
Options To Explore
Senior-friendly technology may help you improve many aspects of your life, both at home and with friends. If you haven’t taken advantage of this smartphone technology yet, there are several convenient and valuable reasons to invest in or upgrade to a new phone:
- Voice Command Technology: This technology can be used to ask your smartphone to make a phone call. You can direct a digital assistant, operated by your voice commands, to give you a weather report, turn on the lights in your home, or start a timer.
- Smart Home Technology: You can easily control the systems throughout your house from your cell phone. Turn on your favorite music without getting out of your chair. Schedule the lights to come on when your morning alarm sounds. Control your sprinkler system and home security from a smart home hub connected through your smartphone.
- Health and Wellness Technology: Senior Lifestyle notes there are many applications for smartphone users in your position. Install an app on your phone that tracks your heart rate and alerts you to irregularities. Take advantage of a smartwatch that alerts family members or emergency services that you’ve fallen. You can also check out advances in hearing devices that cost much less than traditional hearing aids.
- Recreational and Hobby Technology: There are apps for geocaching, finding trails near your home, tracking your favorite fishing spots, and keeping in touch with collectors around the world. Swap ideas for new creations, exchange recipes, or focus on learning a new language or developing a new skill.
- Naturally, keeping up with smartphone advancements improves your ability to stay in touch. It’s easier than ever to keep up with your children, grandchildren, and loved ones whether they live nearby or around the world. You may also find that this technology is becoming more affordable, especially when you take advantage of discounts and promotional offers like trade-in programs.
You may be surprised to learn that video games can offer seniors cognitive benefits. Playing video games can improve hand-eye coordination and boost your memory. If you’re going to give video games a shot, make sure your home is equipped with high-speed internet so you can avoid lag and interruptions.
Technology for Improving Your Communications
Connection and communication with others is a significant area within the active aging movement. Research shows that social support is an important defense against anxiety and depression. Those with chronic illnesses who have a social support system are more likely to live longer than those without social connections. With help from today’s technology, you can avoid health complications by maintaining your family relationships, friendships, professional connections, and other social interactions.
Although change can be hard, emerging technology takes this into account. There have been a lot of advances when it comes to the technology that helps you maintain independence in your home, reach out to others, engage in ongoing learning, make new friends, try out new experiences, and enjoy the full benefits of interacting within your community.
