Recently, we came across an article that had an interesting take on seniors and social media. "Social networking," the article stated, was a more personal experience for seniors because it meant interacting with others via clubs and groups rather than creating a Facebook or Twitter account.

The theme of the article was an interesting take on the lifestyles of healthy older adults, and a future blog entry may find us putting our own spin on the idea. However, a more pressing question comes to mind:  How can older adults, specifically seniors, utilize technology to promote or even enhance healthier living?

Since there is no way that we could possibly cover all forms of technology in one blog entry, we decided to focus on what is probably one of the easier tech tools for a senior to use:  the tablet.

Tablets, which are becoming more and more available (and cheaper) every day, are becoming popular gifts for older adults. Physically, tablets are light and portable, making it easier for someone to carry it from room to room or even on errands outside of the home. As far as ease of use goes, the touch-screen on a tablet is less daunting to a senior than a computer mouse, especially if shaky hands are involved. Another perk: the ability to change font sizes (the size of the words on the screen) is a welcome relief on the eyes.

Daily Benefits

Even the most organized of us can be a little forgetful sometimes. Memory loss can play a huge role in the day-to-day lives of aging seniors, which can be a major concern when common tasks, like medication management, are considered.*

Tablets can help aging adults stay on top of things with reminder that are set with a touch of a finger. Scheduled alarms with a text description are a handy tool because they can serve as reminders to take certain medications, or as reminders of doctor visits or other appointments.

*If you notice a sudden change in your loved one's memory, especially concerning day-to-day activities, please contact his/her primary care physician. 

Access to Information

Gone are the days where research required cracking open an encyclopedia. Thanks to modern technology, researching a subject is as simple as looking at a cell phone. No one is ever too old to learn about something new, and seniors are definitely no exception.

As adults age and children and grandchildren move away, we sometimes see a decline in a sense of purpose. In our communities, we strive to make sure that everyone has a job and/or a role to play if they want it, but we know that sometimes a sense of purpose can come from researching a new hobby or learning about something new. Something as simple as looking up a new recipe to try can turn a whole afternoon around. Tablets also give seniors the ability to research upcoming events in an area in order to continue a healthy social life.

Connections

Learning about the numerous ways we can communicate with each other today can be difficult for someone who did not grow up in the same environment. Younger generations sometimes look at online communication, like email and social media, with disdain.

However, for some seniors, having access to an email address might be the only link to far-away family and friends.

Like we stated above, tablets provide those with low dexterity a way of communicating that is much easier than putting a pen to paper. If there are loved ones that a senior would not normally get to see or speak to, using a tablet to email or chat (or even video call) can provide a connection that normally would not happen.

Our Communities

Senior Solutions Management Group manages independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities. We would love to sit down and chat with you at any of our communities in Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, and Tennessee--no matter how technologically savvy you are, we have a place for you.

If you and your loved one would like to learn more about our communities, please visit our website for more information. 

The original blog we found that inspired us to write this one has since been removed from where we found it, so if you have a good resource to share on this topic please share in the comments below!