The Role of Technology and Internet in Senior Living
We're living in an increasingly digital world, and age shouldn't be a barrier to safe internet use. When used correctly, modern smart technology can play a pivotal role in everything from healthcare to social connections.
With 75% of seniors reporting that they are frequent internet users, it's time to discuss the role of technology and the internet in senior living.
How important is internet access in senior living? How can we protect seniors on the web from cyber attacks and scams? Read on for a closer look at our approach to senior living technology at Addington Place of Sparta.
Benefits of Technology and Internet in Senior Living
Some seniors may feel reluctant to engage with the digital world or worry that they'll struggle to use the latest technology. The reality is that many easy-to-use devices can have a positive impact on a senior's day-to-day life. Take a closer look at the top internet benefits for seniors.
Staying Connected with Loved Ones
Our senior living community features are designed to create connections among residents. Our seniors enjoy rich social lives packed with events, clubs, and activities. However, many residents have friends and family who live out of state, and keeping these close connections alive requires modern solutions.
Most internet-enabled devices provide a variety of long-distance communication options. For example, seniors can send emails and text messages to loved ones to share updates. They can use video chat apps like FaceTime and Zoom to enjoy personal conversations and "attend" things like recitals and birthdays.
Enhancing Healthcare
Telehealth is revolutionizing the way patients receive care. Seniors managing multiple chronic disorders or living with disabilities can really benefit from the online options offered by doctors. Telehealth includes a variety of services and technologies, including:
- Virtual consultations
- Remote health monitoring
- Patient portal communication
- Virtual health records
Telehealth is not meant to take the place of in-person healthcare but to enhance each patient's ability to track and manage their health. In many cases, online care is covered by Medicare, meaning it comes at no additional cost to seniors.
Enjoying Online Entertainment
The internet doesn't just serve practical functions. With the right tools and know-how, it can be fun to use, too! Seniors can enjoy a wide variety of games, stream thousands of shows or movies, and learn about new topics with the help of digital literacy.
In fact, there's growing evidence that engaging with things like computer games can support cognitive health in seniors. Websites like Lumosity offer quick, intuitive games designed to improve memory, speed up cognitive functioning, and challenge the mind.
Using Smart Home Technology
We're living through the growth of the Internet of Things (aka the IoT). The IoT refers to devices other than computers that have internet access. Smart devices like Alexa can make great tech for the elderly.
For example, assisted living staff members can help seniors to program their smart devices to share reminders at certain times. This can help with medication management and general scheduling. Seniors can also use smart devices to find useful information, like the day's forecast.
Internet Safety in Modern Senior Communities
Unfortunately, online threats do exist, and seniors are often the target of scams, hacks, and identity theft. In a single year, seniors lost a collective $3.1 billion to issues like these. Here are some key ways that seniors can practice cyber safety in assisted living.
Protecting Sensitive Information
As technology plays a larger role in our lives, we're asked to share more sensitive information online. This requires serious discretion and digital literacy that seniors may not have.
As a starting place, always use unique passwords, storing them in a secure password manager rather than sharing them with others. Avoid buying any products or services from websites they don't recognize. If a website requires more than just a name and email address to create an account, stop and verify that it's trustworthy.
Using Antivirus Software
Computer viruses can infect your device in the blink of an eye (or the click of a button). Having antivirus software can stop viruses that can make your device unusable while leaking personal information. While Apple computers have strong built-in security, PCs may require additional software like AVG or McAfee.
Make sure that you're allowing this software to update as needed. Updates ensure that your software is better able to address new and evolving viruses. Don't ignore antivirus warnings or stop antivirus scans, which often happen daily or weekly.
Spotting Online Scams
There are innumerable scams designed to get seniors to share personal and banking information. These can include (but are not limited to):
- Debt collection scams
- Lottery scams
- Fake messages from government agencies like the IRS
- Tech support scams
If you receive an email or social media message from an unfamiliar source, proceed with caution. If, for example, you get an email saying that your bank needs to verify your social security number, don't answer it. Instead, call your bank and ask if the email came from them.
Avoiding Unsolicited Calls
Seniors are also often the victims of phone call scams. For example, a senior may receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a loved one who needs money to get out of a sticky situation. This is what is known as an impersonation scam.
Avoid answering calls from unknown numbers. If the caller leaves a message and you're not sure how to proceed, talk to a staff member in your assisted living community. Scam callers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can sound convincing to the untrained ear.
Explore Senior Living Technology at Addington Place of Sparta
It's important that everyone, from family members to staff members, play a role in monitoring technology and the internet in senior living. The benefits, as you can see, are unbeatable. However, it's crucial that we help seniors practice cyber security to avoid scams.
At Addington Place of Sparta, we strive to create the best lives possible for our residents, and that includes helping seniors navigate the digital world. Paired with our activities calendar, dining plan, and wellness program, our seniors are never at a loss for things to do. Contact us to find out more about Addington Place of Sparta.