7 Ways To Get The Elderly Technologically Inclined
Seniors and technology. Photo Wexner Medical Center
What do your parents call Whatsapp? Wozzup? That you can use to chat? Wazzap? Whatsapp?
The popular saying, “you cannot teach an old dog new tricks” often applies to the older generation. However, there are certain tricks that even the older folks would need to learn to ease their livelihood in this technologically advanced world of the 21st century.
To the present average youth, a world without social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Whatsapp and much more might as well be hell on steroids. Nonetheless, the older generation in their popular habits of embracing old times, have reluctance for embracing social media and anything new. With the pandemic looming around, we have become more reliant on the internet, mobile devices mainly technology. Here are some tricks to help get the older folks abreast with up-to-the-minute technology.
Having to adapt to new things for older citizens definitely makes many grouchy, which is to be understood given the cognitive decline that comes with ageing. And so older people usually feel intimidated by technology.
First, by making them understand certain ways these new advancements can give them a sense of purpose topped with making new friends nearby and even across the globe. This they can do whilst passing their age-old wisdom to people; an act they are eager to pass irrespective of country or race on a social media platform.
Often, people forget that the older generation get lonely since they are mostly on their own with occasional “hi” from children and seasonal “hello” from relatives. With the world being a global village, people from all over the world have been able to acquaint themselves with various cultures and politics, all supported by technology.
Another is the learning style; this is to be considered to foster easy pickup for the senior citizen. Some are fast learners with visuals, read/write, auditory or kinesthetic-find what works for the individual. This way you choose the most effective way of imparting knowledge.
Social Media. Photo Econsultancy
A user-friendly app for the senior citizens that keeps simplicity in mind will help enhance their reluctance towards the advancement of technology, therefore making it stress-free for them to navigate and comprehend its functions.
In light of this, phone companies could create phones having the senior citizens as their special target audience because most family members are all about giving the best quality of life for the elderly in their families. So the old folks might not buy it but hey!!! Their families are in queue for an easy life for the elderly and so will buy into a tech that will give comfort for the elderly.
Another way to get them tech-savvy is to ease or facilitate a better experience, so choosing a bigger font size for them is another route to go. This is you practically setting them up to feel like geniuses, and they do not have to be reminded of their declining sight.
Perhaps explaining the significance of these gadgets and how they can be used to keep family closer will aid in snapping out the hesitancy. Through one’s guidance on the functionality, they thus take cognisance that they can reach out to their grandkids every day, all day via video calling on varying social media platforms. This goes a long way in enhancing their lives emotionally as they feel loved and needed.
As it is said, “if you don’t use it you lose it” so do encourage them to use these navigation skills for technology as often as possible to be top-notch which will make it easy for one to shop work and learn irrespective of age.
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