Many seniors are already at ease using new modes of communication to stay in touch with friends and family. Others may be wary about moving beyond the home phone. But plugging into contemporary technologies can provide increased opportunity for connection, beyond what phone and snail mail have to offer. And many devices are specifically designed to meet the unique needs and preferences of seniors, so even those less comfortable with recent tech developments can easily master them.
If you
are concerned about your senior loved one being isolated after moving to a new
home, especially if they are experiencing health issues, Sohum Realty Blog
has some tips about the devices, social media platforms, and apps that are
available.
Check out cell phones that are specifically
rated for seniors.
If you
are helping a senior choose a cell phone, discuss whether they want a contract or pre-paid, and
encourage them to try a smartphone rather than a flip phone, in order to access
more apps, better photo and video quality, and a range of communication media.
Look at the more highly rated phones for seniors on
the market and read reviews before making a selection.
Some seniors may prefer tablets for their versatility
and ease of handling.
While
the tablet may seem new and foreign to some seniors, it is an excellent option
for communication, with its larger screen and multiplicity of uses. When
choosing from among the senior-accessible tablets on
the market, consider what use will be made of it. Does your senior enjoy
reading books, looking at videos, surfing the web, or playing games? Will they
be using social media for interaction? Whichever you choose, look for
characteristics such as larger screens and anti-slip grips.
Laptops and desktops offer large screens and
comfortable keyboards.
For
seniors who prefer laptops, make sure you select
one known for a quality display, good
screen size, and comfortable keyboard. Battery life is also important,
especially for seniors who might not want to be moving back and forth to plug
their device in. If a desktop is preferred, consider an all-in-one style so the
user won’t have to deal with a snarl of wires and components.
Navigating social media for connectivity.
Once
they have gotten comfortable with a device of choice, it’s time to check out
different senior-friendly social media options. Facebook, the most widely used
social media platform, is a good site for keeping in touch with friends and
family members of all ages. But seniors can also check out other sites,
depending on their interests and how they enjoy spending their time. For
socially conscious seniors, Twitter can be a fun way to stay up on politics,
entertainment, and current events. Instagram is a good choice for users
interested in keeping up via pictures and videos. There are also a number of
social media sites created specifically for seniors, such
as MyBoomerPlace.com or the AARP Online Community.
Try out different apps for staying in touch.
Talking
on the phone may still be the preferred option for many seniors, but apps such
as Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, and Zoom offer more opportunities to stay in
touch through text, images, and video chat. Especially for seniors who miss
interacting with grandchildren and younger loved ones, video messaging is the
next best thing to meeting in person.
Find reliable internet service
All
these tech tools aren’t worth much with a lagging and unreliable internet
connection. Fortunately, 5G has arrived in many cities. 5G networks deliver increased capacity and
speed and reduced lag time so seniors can use all their devices optimally.
Make sure your senior loved one is up to date
on cybersecurity.
Plenty
of seniors are aware of the risks of identity
theft, scams, and cyberattacks such as malware or
spyware. But to be sure, talk to them about keeping information and devices
secure. Anyone who is online should know not to click on questionable links, to
keep their passwords strong, and never to hand out private or personal
information to unknown parties.
A
little bit of effort goes a long way when it comes to setting up senior loved
ones to use tech for enhanced communication after they’ve moved into a new home.
Keeping in touch with friends and family can help seniors maintain mental
alertness and emotional health. And knowing your senior friend or family member
is just a click away can ease your own anxiety about their well-being.
Written by :
Mary Shannon
SeniorsMeet.org
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