Technology and the Senior Citizen

Most people in the 65 and younger age group deal with new technology on a daily basis - from computers at work to cell phones in the car. However, for those that did not grow up with an iPod in their back pocket, technology can be scary and intimidating. Younger generations take it for granted that they are being raised with a lot of these items. Even those in the middle-age bracket find themselves at the minimum exposed to it from their families and jobs. But for those people that no longer go to work and may have limited access outside of their homes, technology can be viewed as unncessary and frightening. What they don't realize is how much technology can make their day-to-day tasks easier and even improve their quality of life.

Baby Steps!

If you are trying to make someones life easier by introducing a technology to their daily routine, be sure to start slow and with something that is easy to understand and use. A cell phone can be intimidating for someone that has never used a computer. Do not inundate or overwhelm by introducing things they will not have a use or need for.

Price can also be a concern as most senior citizens are on a fixed income. If possible, try to arrange a test-drive of an item that they are thinking about getting before actually purchasing to be sure that it is necessary, relevant and wanted.

The key is to go slow! The last thing you want is to turn them off of technology by shoving it down their throats.

Most banks today offer free online services including bill payment and check ordering. Online bill pay is fast and reliable and saves the time in writing checks and stamping envelopes. Paying bills online also offers a way to track finances with downloads to Quicken, Excel or many other online financial tools.

Another financial task made easier is filing taxes. Online tax form preparation sites, like TurboTax, can be more affordable than other traditional routes. Tax laws and forms may be easier to understand and all calculations are done online. They even can be filed with the push of a button.

If the senior citizen in your life does not have access to a computer in their home, they can usually find free Internet access at their local library, just be sure to teach them how to properly log off their account information before leaving the workstation.

Can you imagine your grandparents playing your favorite video game? The latest trend in senior citizen entertainment is working their minds with hand-eye control and getting them off the couch to play tennis and go bowling without ever leaving their homes.

Senior citizens will enjoy and benefit from all kinds of games found free online, from word games to card games, that will help with memory rentention and hand control. The Nintendo Wii is a big hit in the senior crowd for getting them up and moving. Even seniors confined to wheelchairs or with limited mobility will benefit from the simple movements needed to participate in these games.

An added bonus? Get the younger generation involved by teaching their grandparents or volunteering at a local retirement home. The relationships formed will benefit both the kids and the seniors.

A senior citizen can experience loneliness, especially when they've lost touch with friends or their family does not live close by. If they don't live in a retirement community or nursing home, finding organized activities for people in their age group may be difficult. Most towns have a link to senior citizen activities on their local webpage. Websites like craigslist and Meetup offer information on local events and activities for various age groups. Seniors are also using dating sites more and more to meet people.

Be sure to discuss the dangers of putting personal information on the internet and the importance of having safe meeting places if you are introducing a senior citizen to dating or local event sites.

Lots of companies introducing new technologies are paying attention to senior citizens as consumers. Here just a few common items with special features for the over 65 crowd.

• cell phones with oversized buttons, easier to read and push
• voice-activated remote controls
• home light timers, programmed through your computer