Even though smartphones, smartwatches, and other technological gadgets are essential tools, most of us treat them more like toys. However, for older individuals, digital gadgets are not viewed as toys that are easy to use, but rather complicated tools that can make it easier for them to preserve their independence, maintain social contacts as well as to evaluate their health. The problem with technology, however, is that older adults tend to struggle to learn the ins and outs of most modern gadgets.

Simplified Communication Devices

For instance, Jitterbug Direct specifically markets to the elderly. They provide the main features of a smartphone, which is to connect with people, without the technical know-how in terms of navigating through an operating system. Interestingly enough, however, is the fact that Android and iOS-based devices offer features that can prove to be useful for individuals who do not want a complicated experience. This could be removing confusing animations that occur when you close or open an app.

More Than 50% Of All Seniors Are Online

Statistics indicate that the older generation has historically been shown to be late adopters within the world of technology in comparison to the younger generation who stays up to date with the latest tech. Statistics also indicate that older citizens who are less affluent tend to encounter significant challenges when it comes to using technological devices as a result of their health or disability.

This, in essence, leads to them being disconnected from digital services and tools both on a psychological and physical level. In 2012, Pew Research Center conducted a study and found that more than half of all individuals within the survey over the age of 65 were actually Internet users. Experts also proclaim that as many as 59% of all senior citizens go online. What this indicates is that even though the elderly face significant challenges when it comes to adapting to technology. When given the right tools such as the Jitterbug phone, for example, they too can benefit from the value that technological gadgets provide.

In fact, many aging experts proclaim that caregivers typically shy away from the concept of introducing technological devices to senior citizens due to the assumption that they won’t put any interest into learning the features and functionality of the device, but this in itself is not true.

On the flip side, many other experts proclaim that the key is to find the right kind of devices that have an easier learning curve such as gadgets that were specifically created with older adults in mind. These gadgets can help to erase the social and physical obstacles that the elderly face when it comes to getting familiarized with a given device.

High-Tech Devices With Easy Learning Curves

When looking beyond phones, caretakers need to be aware of several other technological gadgets that are ideal for senior citizens such as the Amazon Echo. This handy device can be given to the elderly when it comes to introducing them to voice-related home automation. Other devices like the Fitbit are relatively simple to use and can be utilized to monitor the activity levels of said individual. Then there are electronic trackers, like Tile, which can help them locate their TV remote and/or keys.

Devices For The Impaired

Even though the idea of giving your loved one a vacuum may not be the best idea if they have a physical impairment, devices such as the iRobot Roomba can prove to be especially useful. The devices is essentially a set-it-and-forget-it device and can be operated by anyone as young as 9 or 65 and older. Meanwhile, automatic pill reminders which have been designed for the elderly can provide a notification whenever a specific medicine needs to be taken. These kinds of devices can be initially set up by the caretaker and will continue to function without any interaction from the individual it was meant for. They can prove useful for individuals who have memory-related ailments.

Choosing The Right Device

With the abundance of devices which have been specifically designed for the elderly, however, it may be difficult for caretakers to decide which gadget to choose when it comes to providing their loved one with a viable tool. But one of the first things they can do to achieve this is to ask themselves how the gadget can help to improve their loved one’s quality of life. For example, when it comes to choosing a smart blood pressure cuff that records blood pressure levels, a caretaker may want to consider one that gives the reports directly to the doctor’s office as opposed to one that requires the user to maintain a log themselves.

Devices today are handy and can really help seniors in their everyday activities. If you have a senior loved one in your life, consider some of the options above.