Technology has changed so much in the last fifty years that it can sometimes feel impossible to keep up. If you’ve ever wondered how your children or grandchildren navigate their phones with ease, then you may be wondering how technology could ever make your life easier, not harder. While there is a learning curve for some devices, there are lots of great resources out there for learning the technology that could make aging easier.
Most older adults know the importance of keeping up with technology—78% of Americans over the age of 65 have a cellphone. But just having the technology and knowing how to leverage it for a better life are two different things. Here are just a few ways you can use technology to make aging easier.
Self-Care and Stress Management
Whether you’re retired or still in the workforce, taking care of yourself and staying healthy are essentials to aging well, and creating a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Self-care isn’t just for Millennials. It’s a way to relieve stress and enjoy your life more as you age. Stress affects all age groups. In one study on student stress, teens reported average stress levels of 5.8 out of 10 during the school year, while adults rated their stress at 5.1.
If you’re often stressed out, consider turning to technology. There are so many great free apps to help guide you through self-care activities like yoga, meditation, and gentle exercise programs. There are apps for everything from meal planning and calorie tracking to games that can help you live a happier, healthier life with less stress.
Giving Family Members Peace of Mind
As you get older, family members may start to worry about your well-being and may even suggest you move into an assisted living facility. While this can be appropriate in some situations, technology can help you to retain your independence and give your family peace of mind.
For example, if you have lots of medications to manage, you could set alerts to make sure you remember to take them. If your family is concerned about your well-being, the ability to text them every day could help them feel more comfortable about you living alone. Depending on your needs, there are so many solutions that can help you stay at home while reassuring your family that you are safe.
Staying Social
If you live alone, life can get a little lonely as you age. It’s more difficult to connect with others if you’re not going to the office or participating in family life on a daily basis. Learning to use technology tools like social media can help you to stay social and improve your well-being. Video chatting can help you stay connected to friends and family who live far away, and sites like Meetup can help you find local interest groups to make new friends.
Keep Your Brain Sharp
The games young people play on their phones might seem silly, but they can help you keep your brain sharp. Just about any game you can think of is available digitally, and many of these brain-teasers are a fun way to ensure your brain is stimulated. Studies show that new challenges like playing certain games and learning new skills (like learning how to use technology!) is beneficial for protecting the brain.
Want more ideas on how to use technology to stay sharp as you get older? View this graphic from USC School of Gerontology for some ways technology can help seniors age well:
