Helpful Technology For Caregivers & Older Adults

 Lately, it’s hard to imagine a world without blogs, iPhones, tablets and the seemingly endless list of apps. But to many older adults who never had access to these developments before, the thought of using them now is overwhelming. Studies suggest that, “a lack of awareness of what is available and the knowledge of how to access it, are two of the main obstacles preventing people using technology” (University of Sheffield, 2013). There is a widespread perception that technology is too complex for those above a certain age, however this is simply not true! Once introduced to these resources, older adults often find them to be extremely useful.  Using technology is a great way to develop new ideas, save money, and connect with loved ones from all over. Check out the following websites, devices, and apps:

Websites:
Groupon and other coupon sites allow you to customize searches to find deals on activities and products that directly relate to your interests. Find deals on exercise classes, restaurants, home goods, trips and more!

Pinterest is a great site for gathering ideas for the home, recipes, crafts, and do it yourself products.

Photosharing sites like dropbox and shutterfly allow you to choose who you share pictures with. Shutterfly can even organize photos into an album or gift that you order. Sharing photos is a great way to continually see what friends and family are up to in between visits!

Online calendars, like Google Calendar, are another wonderful resource. You can make multiple calendars for different types of events, which you can then choose to combine or separate. You can add other people to view or edit the calendar. This is especially useful for caregivers near and far to help keep track of an older adult’s schedule!

Apps:
Dragon Diction is an app that enables users to vocalize emails, text messages, status updates, etc and view them immediately before publishing. This is a great app for people who have difficulty with seeing small print on a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Apps like Viber, TextPlus, and Whatsapp are all communication applications that allow you to call or text people who also have the app for free! This is useful for contacting people in other countries.

Red laser is an app that compares the prices of a good among stores in your area. Find out where to get things for the cheapest price and save money!

Pill Reminder apps keep track of the valuable information associated with medication management. According the Guardian, the Pill Reminder Pro asks users to “enter in the name of your pill, dosage, frequency, and what time(s) of day, and Pill Reminder sends a message via PUSH alert” (Guardian, 2013).

Devices:
For older adults that live far away from loved ones, one of the best investments to make is in a webcam. Aging can sometimes be a lonely process but chatting through Skype or Google can allow you to regularly keep in touch with family or old friends.

As many people age, they have difficulty reading the small print found in newspaper or books. Many E-readers provide the same publications in larger print. For example, Kindle users have access to a wide range of books and newspapers through the online bookstore. E-readers are also useful because they conveniently store everything in one place. Tablets like the iPad, Kindle Fire or Samsung Galaxy Note act as E-readers while also providing the internet and wide selection of apps to their users. Tablets are easy to travel with allowing users to bring book collections, music, pictures, movies and more with them wherever they go!

Fitbit is a device that is similar to a pedometer, except that it is synced to your computer. You can keep track of how many steps you take each day and compare to friends!

The WII is a user friendly gaming system that provides a lot of entertainment and fitness options. It is interactive so it allows you to actually play sports like bowling, tennis, and golf indoors. You can buy different games that suit your interests. You can also download Netflix onto your WII. This is a great way to stream favorite movies and television shows from home for a relatively low monthly cost.

There are many options available. Many senior centers can provide information on how to use these devices and websites. Technology stores like Apple and Windows can offer tutorials on how to use their products. Several senior centers and libraries offer free courses on how to use the internet, which provides its students with opportunities to ask specific questions.

Resources:
Horton, Clare, and Mark King. "10 of the Best Apps for Older People." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, Media, 21 September 2011. Web. 12 July 2013.

"Older People Have a Thirst for Technology." University of Sheffield News Releases. N.p., 22 May 2013. Web. 12 July 2013.

photo credit: SalFalko via photopin cc