Many seniors are embracing technology today. Technology offers endless possibilities for seniors to connect, learn, and thrive. Let’s explore some common benefits seniors can enjoy with technology.
Enhanced Connections
The quality of your relationships dictates the quality of your life. No matter your age, strong relationships are key to supporting your overall health. Finding a sense of connection and belonging can enhance your overall health and quality of life.
Technology makes it easy to stay in touch with friends, build relationships with your children and grandchildren, and meet new people. Everyone is just a text or call away. Send them a message when you’re thinking of them or call them while you’re out for a stroll. You can even get creative and play a game, watch a movie, cook, or share a meal over FaceTime, Zoom, or other video calling tools.
Social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, are also great ways to stay connected with loved ones or even rekindle relationships with people from your past. Many people use these platforms to connect with others and share life milestones, events, and news. Are you wondering how your old friend from college is doing? Do you want to see all the photos of your grandchild’s school project? How about your children as they’re on vacation in Hawaii? In addition, various groups on these platforms cater to interests of all kinds—from gardening and book clubs to groups about pet ownership or grandparenting tips, and beyond. If you don’t already have a profile, consider getting one to keep up with your friends and family—all you need is an email to sign up.
Mental Stimulation
The Internet is brimming with activities that can sharpen your cognitive edge. Seniors can enjoy daily puzzles, problem-solving games, tutorials, online courses, and games, all of which can help you stay mentally fit.
Watch a tutorial to pick up a new hobby, like crocheting, painting, or writing poetry. Play stimulating brain teasers like sudoku, crossword puzzles, or Words With Friends. Learn a new language, how to garden, or how to bake your favorite dessert. Take college courses or get certifications in subjects that pique your interest. AARP has a vast selection of online events, courses, and classes to empower you in your quest for knowledge.
A Healthier Lifestyle
Tech-supporting gadgets, like fitness apps, and wearable technology, like smartwatches, can encourage you to keep track of and prioritize your health and fitness goals. These devices track certain metrics, like activity, steps, sleep quality, heart rate, and more. Some send helpful reminders to support wellness, such as practicing mindfulness or getting up and moving if you’ve been sitting for a long period. Having these reminders and your fitness data on hand gives you a chance to make improvements and create an all-around healthy lifestyle.
There is also a vast selection of online courses, blogs, and tutorials available that support your physical and mental health. All of these resources offer endless opportunities to improve your well-being and, in turn, your quality of life.
Remember to consult your primary care doctor or another physician before starting up any new fitness routine to avoid injury or any other issues, especially if it’s one you found online.
Convenient Smart Home Integrations
Technology is all about convenience—many home integrations make everyday life easier and ensure peace of mind. Using voice assistant tech or an app from your phone, you can remotely control your lighting, some home appliances and more. Depending on your senior living community rules and regulations, you may be able to use smart home items like doorbells or cameras to enhance your home’s safety and security. Smartphones, smartwatches, and other personal devices can be used to detect a hard fall and alert first responders.
Entertainment and Hobbies
In addition to its practical uses, technology offers convenient, accessible ways to have fun and stay entertained. Listen to your favorite music as you lounge by the pool. Subscribe to streaming platforms for endless access to movies and TV shows. Play video games with loved ones. Read a book on your Kindle. Learn how to master the art of needlepoint with an online class. Improve your golf game with online tutorials…the list goes on. With endless entertainment at your fingertips, boredom is a thing of the past.
Connect, Learn, and Thrive at Oak Trace
Take advantage of the vast opportunities to get plugged in and maximize technology’s benefits in your life at Oak Trace. Here, you can take on-campus technology classes to stay in the know or connect with neighbors at a community mixer or class. Contact us today to step into a life of connection, leisure, and adventure.
