We may live in a digital world, but you don’t have to be a tech whiz to take advantage of today’s handy gadgets. From smartphones and e-readers to speakers with built-in safety capabilities, technology can help you stay connected, safe, and independent during your golden years. Read on for our roundup of the best tech for seniors.
Make Your Life Easier with Tech for Seniors
If you don’t consider yourself technologically inclined, you might avoid gadgets altogether. But today’s tech scene is more accessible than ever before, and there are plenty of resources to help you make the most of smart devices. If you’re not sure where to start, check out a free tech webinar hosted by the AARP. You can also connect with a tech educator via SeniorNet, a nonprofit organization that provides computer education to adults over 55.
Tech to Help You Stay Connected
Thanks to smartphones, tablets, and other handy devices, it’s never been easier to stay connected to family and friends around the globe. Below are a few of our favorite options for seniors hoping to stay connected regardless of location or mobility level:
- Smartphones: iPhones, Google Pixels, and similar smartphone models offer countless benefits for seniors. First, they make communication a snap via calls, texts, and video chats, enabling seniors to chat with family and friends regardless of location. Smartphones also offer applications, or apps, that make it easy to track your fitness level, set up medication reminders, and even map your travels. With the right phone in hand, the possibilities are endless.
- Tablets: Like smartphones, you can load a tablet with your favorite apps. However, tablets have larger screens, which can be handy for video calling or reading. You can also use tablets to stream your favorite shows and movies without worrying about hauling around a clunky laptop.
- E-readers: If you’re a voracious reader, an e-reader is a must. Like a tablet, e-readers have larger screens to make reading easier on the eyes. And unlike heavy hardbacks, e-readers are highly portable, making it easy to read while sitting, lying down, or traveling. With an e-reader, you can bring your entire library with you on the go.
Safety Tools for Seniors
Tech isn’t just about staying connected — it’s also about staying safe. Below are a few devices you can use to enhance your personal safety:
- Smart smoke detectors: You already know that you should have working smoke detectors in every room of your house. But if you have difficulties with hearing, vision, or other sensory processing, you might not feel completely secure in your ability to respond to an alarm. Fortunately, smart smoke detectors can also send alerts to friends, neighbors, and caregivers, while also alerting your phone or watch in case you don’t hear or see the alarms in your home.
- Smart watches for falls and medical alerts: Smart watches have capabilities far beyond traditional timepieces. Take the Apple Watch SE, which has built-in fall detection and car crash detection. The SE also has an easy-to-use side button that can call emergency contacts. Finally, the SE can automatically share your medical information with emergency responders, giving you peace of mind in the case of an accident.
Ready to dig into tech for seniors? The tech world has come a long way, with a wide variety of options for anyone — even people who don’t consider themselves tech-savvy. You can move forward with confidence knowing that you’ve got the right gadgets on your side.
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