Technology has become an integral part of our everyday lives, and it can be a very positive and helpful tool for staying connected to friends and family, educational content, and connecting with the world.

We are busting the myth that seniors and technology don’t mix. Over the last few years, new technologies have been developed specifically to aid seniors. Below we have listed some tips and recommendations that we believe will make your life easier, help you stay connected and encourage you to try something new!

Use Technology To Stay Connected
Technology is one of the best ways to stay connected to friends and family. Video chat apps like FaceTime, Skype and Zoom allow you to see the faces and hear the voices of your loved ones for free. Make your video chat experience even more memorable with fun activities such as eating dinner together, playing a game or going for a walk. Streaming platforms such as Disney + and Hulu also have watch party features where you and your friends and family can watch a movie together no matter where you are.

Use Technology in Your Home
The development of home safety technology for seniors has many benefits, with the greatest being safety. It allows you to live more independently, while also providing peace of mind for your loved ones. Home technology gives you a direct line of communication with caregivers, doctors, nurses and more in the event of illness or injury.

Fall-detection sensors will instantly alert medical help if a fall is detected, so assistance can arrive at your home in a matter of minutes. Devices such as an Alexa and Google Home are two other great options that can assist you in a situation such as a fall, where you might not have your phone nearby. These devices allow you to make a phone call, listen to music, watch videos and more just by speaking to them. Smart pill-dispensers are another technological tool that will help you stay on top of your medicine schedule. Simply set your pill schedule to the machine and insert the pills into the dispenser; the machine will disperse what you need at the correct time every day. Automatic vacuums are another easy way to keep your house clean without your doing any of the work. All you have to do is insert an image of your floor plan to your smartphone app and sit back and relax as your vacuum moves around your floor.

Remember Technology Privacy
While new technology has many benefits, it’s also important to ensure you’re staying safe online and taking appropriate steps to protect your online privacy. Technology privacy is extremely important as scam messages have become a common trap for many seniors. A few simple ways to prevent this from happening are to save all your contacts to your phone, and to create a habit of frequently changing your passwords. Never answer a call from an unknown number, because scammers might be pretending to be someone you know or a representative of a company you use. By saving your contacts to your phone, you can have confidence in knowing who you are talking to.

Another way to maintain privacy is to frequently change your passwords. There are smartphone apps you can download that save all of your passwords in one place and will generate new ones for you every few months.

Practice Social Media Safety
Social media is another great way to stay connected with people all over the world. Some benefits include keeping in touch with extended family members, learning a new recipe from following your favorite chef or staying informed on the latest news through your favorite news outlet accounts. However, it is also important to make sure you are using safe social media practices. First, make your account private so that you can see and approve whoever follows you. Next, be aware of not oversharing your personal information online. This includes your current location, your home address, your phone number, your credit card information, etc.

Take Advantage of Your Smartphone Settings
Did you know that smartphones are meant to make your life easier? They contain many features that you may not be aware of because they are not commonly advertised. Every smartphone contains a “settings” app where you can customize and personalize your phone to be exactly how you want. You can increase the size of your text so it is easy to read, adjust your volume level, adjust your screen brightness and even connect a pair of hearing aids to your phone.

At Solstice Senior Living, we strive to assist our residents in any way we can. We believe that technology and social media are great ways for our residents to stay connected with their friends and family members, as well as be educated on new trends and what’s going on in the world. To learn more or schedule a tour to experience life at Solstice, visit Senior Living Communities Near Me │ Solstice Senior Living Community Tours.