We may notice on everyday basis that older generations like our grandparents and parents are strugling with technology use, and in eyes of the younger generation they may look like they are having way harder life. This article is going to speak of struggles and of ways how to help them with these problems.
Reasons of technology struggles that elderly deal with
There are so many reasons why indeed but let’s here focus on the most important ones. Let’s face the truth seniors and touch screens are not going well with each other and the reason why for this is that their bodies are struggling with condition which is called leathery fingers, just imagine how hard it is to use touch screens with such condition.
Another reason why older people struggle with technolgy is that they fear the unknown. As they never before had to use it, they do not feel like they need „a magic box” to make their life way easier and they in fact are scared of it.
Another also very important reason why is their computer anxiety. Seniors are scared that they will break something or delete something they shouldn’t even think of touching. This type of anxiety will make it harder for them to learn anything about technology.
What benefits technology can bring to seniors?
As we know the reason why older people may be scared of technology, we also should find out the all kind of the benefits that comes from technology when it comes to seniors.
Here goes the list of benefits that seniors may get from using technology:
- they may keep in touch with their family members and friends,
- it may help them improve their mental and physical well-being,
- it may help them keep up with the informations from the around the world.
Technology, seniors and their social life
We should start with this that there is nothing as good as face to face contacts, but still it may help their social life. In todays world social media has become very important and quite helpful. Social media helps all people stay in touch with friends and families, that is why older people as it gets harder for them to travel may gain benefits like still being in touch with their beloved family members.
Technology, seniors and their well-being
This is going to probably be one of the most important benefits of all, as it helps seniors in improving their mental and physical well-being. Technology gives seniors opportunities like impoving their memory skills like several available so called brain games. There are games like for example tetris, chess or sudoku. Now when it comes to physical health there are also interactive game systems, which are motion controlled, and they are simply able to allow seniors for a bit of fun and some physical activity.
Technology, seniors and news
As we may speak of different news sources that older generation likes (newpapers or local news), access to mobile phones, tablets or computers may let them find all kind of informations way faster. Let’s face the truth, when anything happens in the world it is the Internet that has the fastest informations.
How to convince elderly people to use technology?
Are you wondering what can be encouragment for elderly people to start using technology? Well we got some ideas! Here is what you should think of as elderly person or as a young one who want to encourage them to use it:
- explain them all kind of benefits that comes from technology,
- be very patient and calm while speaking to them,
- explain them how to use technology in the simplest way possible,
- let them check technology on their own,
- talk with them about security so they will not be scared of it later on,
- take it all slow with them,
- adjust all kind of devices they feel „ok” with using to meet all of their needs.
Conclusion
Older generation may find it hard to keep up with the newest technology and struggle with using it. Thanks to this article you may understand their fears and also maybe be more aware of it how to explain them all of it step by step.
We hope that you understood the matter of all aspects when it comes to elderly people and technology and that now you will know what and how to do it!
Iam older person and myy grandkids taught me all of it. Im happy they did that, because now my life is way easier. Thanks for writting this article because it may help many of older people.