Technology and the elderly: great benefits

According to United Nationsit is estimated that for the year 2050approximately one in six people in the world will have it 65 or older. This represents a significant increase in the share of elderly people compared to previous decades. That’s why it’s so important to know how older adults can use technological advances to promote their well-being, independence, and active participation in society. To this should be added the increasing interest in the use of electronic devices, mobile applications and online services among this population group.

And it’s about the fact that technological progress is constantly changing, thus changing all aspects of people’s lives, from the way they communicate to the way they access information.

Although young people have always been associated with the adoption of these new technologies, it is essential to recognize their potential to improve the quality of life of the elderly.

World statistics reveal that the majority of computer and Internet users range from 6 and 20 years, while users over 60 are a minority; However, in recent years the situation has changed, there are more and more of them, which contributes to breaking the Western stereotype about this population group, because it shows their ability to continuously learn and adapt to aging.

There is evidence of the negative effect of using computers and the Internet on the psychological well-being of children, adolescents and young people, but in the case of the elderly, the result is very beneficial.

It is enough to mention that there are certain applications or tools through which the elderly can connect, learn, buy, sell, perform procedures and perform other activities despite having some sort of disability that prevents movement.

with ComputerDistance, schedules, weather changes or other inconveniences that result from your age are not a problem either.

Internet applications, such as electronic mail and online access to information resourcesthey provide them with special advantages, because mastering these skills increases their level of self-esteem.

Contributions of technology for the elderly

Technology offers a wide range of benefits for older adults, improving their quality of life, emotional well-being and promoting their autonomy and independence. The following are concrete advantages that technology provides to this population:

1. Social connection

Calls or video calls and social networks keep older people in touch with their loved ones at a distance.

While no technology can replace live human interaction, video chat services like skype o Online communication channels such as e-mail and social media can supplement the social interactions of older people when visits with friends and family are not possible or are too infrequent. A family member and even caregivers of the elderly can help with this. I can give them simple practical lessons online to prepare them and learn to drive and learn how to do it.

2. Security

Elderly people living alone can get help at the push of a button.

Polls consistently show this 80 to 90 percent of seniors want to stay in their own home as they age. Every elderly person living alone should have one Personal Emergency Response System (PERS). The PERS device allows the user to call for help with the push of a button. Seniors and their families alike can rest easy knowing that PERS can make it easy to call for help in any emergency. Even inside the home.

Safety is also a primary concern for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias in the elderly, especially those who tend to wander. A number of GPS tracking devices, which can track an elderly person’s location and send alerts, are great tools for keeping caregivers’ worries at bay and preventing potentially dangerous or life-threatening situations.

3. Exercise

Video games exercise the body and mind of older people.

For mental exercise, seniors can try games like Tetris (spatial recognition), Trivial Pursuit (memorization of facts) or Mahjong (memory and matching). Encourage the elderly to exercise on their own, then challenge your grandchildren.

4. Administration of medicines

Smartphone apps can help prevent medication errors.

Many older people find it difficult to keep track of their medications.

Pillboxes help, but technology solutions that also provide reminders and alerts could potentially help with prescription drug program compliance. Seniors and their caregivers can take advantage of smart medication reminder apps to reduce missed medications and prevent medication errors.

5. Health monitoring

Online tools simplify the process of maintaining and accessing health information for seniors.

Smartphone apps and cloud-based health information tracking systems can help seniors and their caregivers organize and keep information such as medical history, medical contacts, medication schedules and medical conditions at hand.