Page 9 - June 2018 Healthbeat

Whether it’s using the internet or a new tablet, seniors are becoming more tech-savvy. For seniors, these devices allow them to communicate with loved ones or learn a new hobby.
Sparking interest
Seniors becoming more tech-savvy
senior living Attractive apps
Applications create functionality
Using smartphones and other tech- nology can be a great way for seniors to connect with the outside world. These devices also have a large vari- ety of applications that can provide entertainment and useful informa- tion, as well as facilitate communica- tion with friends and family.
The following are a few free apps that seniors may want to have on their devices.
SKYPE
This app allows people to vid- eo-chat with people around the world. Setup is simple, and it is available for iOS and Android devices. The app uses an internet connection, but there may be fees for long-distance calls.
THE WEATHER CHANNEL
With daily and weekly forecasts, along with maps and severe-weather alerts, The Weather Channel app pro- vides useful, local weather informa- tion in a simple-to-use app. This in- formation can be handy for planning a shopping trip or a day at the park.
BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR
The Blood Pressure Monitor app allows seniors to track their blood pressure and weight over time. The app can also provide a variety of information and periodic health re- minders. Users can export the data from the app to share with a health care provider.
WAZE
Waze is a navigation app that helps find the quickest route to a destina- tion. The app uses live traffic data to calculate the ideal route and can help reduce travel time.
— Courtesy of Metro Creative, with contributions by Cody Graves, special sections writer
Technology is the future, and digital communication has opened many doors for people around the world. Although younger generations have grown up with technology at their fingers, baby boomers and older
adults did not. But in spite of that, studies show that growing numbers of seniors are open to the idea of technology and even seek ways to further their use and knowledge of technology.
According to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, 59 percent of seniors regularly use the internet — a 6 percent increase from the previous study conducted in 2012. Today, 67 percent of adults age 65 and older said they go online.
Pew also states that although seniors consistently have lower rates of technology adoption than the general public, four in 10 seniors now own smartphones, which is more than double the amount who did in 2013.
While stereotypes have long painted seniors as technologically inept, seniors are actually more socially and digitally engaged than ever before. Seniors use technology in many different ways. Some use mobile apps to manage medications and doctor’s appointments and to monitor their fitness regimens.
Some families employ 24/7 alert systems or smart-home technology to keep seniors comfortable and safe at home for as long as possible. Noninvasive “smart” technology can analyze factors such as whether or not doors are left open, if there has been movement in a home or whether appliances/lights are on or off. This represents a great way for families to stay informed and provide assistance, even if they are not nearby.
that other tech usage that seniors are embracing includes online dating; audio and digital books; online shopping, which is especially valuable to seniors who have mobility issues; and social media, which can keep seniors connected to others and feeling less lonely.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock has a program called SeniorNet that helps seniors learn a variety of computer tasks. The classes are for people ages 50 and older at the UAMS Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging. The classes cover a variety of topics, such as file management, social media, troubleshooting and much more. In July, classes include One-on-One Computer Support, Computer Basics, Intermediate Computers, and Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Your iPhone and IPad. For more information on classes, call 501-603-1262.
A study conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco found that 18 percent of American seniors live alone, and 43 percent report feeling lonely on a regular basis. Loneliness can increase seniors’ death risk. Social-media and internet connectivity can be important tools in helping seniors feel like active members of society.
Technology is no longer just for teenagers or active workers. Seniors are increasingly embracing technology and becoming a fast-growing demographic for tech usage.
— Courtesy of Metro Creative, with contributions by Cody Graves, special sections writer
SilverSurfers, a senior-based information website, states
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