By Jerry Mooney
The youth of today don’t know how lucky they are. Research has argued that Millennials are the laziest generation in history, due to the fact that they have access to technology that can assist them greatly in their everyday lives. Information is easily attained with a few touches and swipes of a smartphone, entertainment is obtainable on demand with companies like Netflix, and keeping in touch with friends and family is easier than ever, thanks to apps like Messenger and WhatsApp. While a lot of the older generation may feel as though it’s too late to learn about these advancements in technology, it would be highly beneficial to them. It should be the responsibility of the younger crowd to educate their predecessors.
Entertainment
People who are retired usually have a large amount of free time, and if they don’t have things to do there is a danger of getting extremely bored. Research has shown that it is drastically important to keep busy during this latter stage of life, as people begin to question their mortality which can lead to anxiety issues. But the older generation who are not technically savvy may struggle to find ways to entertain themselves if they are not taught how.
Showing grandparents how to use mobile devices like tablets (see above) could seriously improve their existence. They can upload news to the device from a number of top news companies like The Times, they can order shopping and meals through grocery apps like Grocery Pal, and they can pass the time with online games like bingo. Fabulous bingo is one site that works well for players in their golden years because there is a community in which users can chat and socialize. The site is also easy to navigate with big bold writing detailing the different games on offer, from Having a Ball to Session Bingo.
A Cure for Loneliness
Another big problem for the older generation is how to combat loneliness. People who feel lonely a lot of the time have a 14% greater risk of passing away early, so this is a pertinent issue which needs addressing. Bingo communities like the one mentioned above are useful, but there are also other ways to communicate with family that a lot of older people might not be aware of. Clover Group, for example, aims to create senior living communities where technology is integrated into everyday life, with seniors having access to everything from VR and social media to online health services and tablets (the screen kind, not the medicine kind).
An ideal use for the tablet could be to install a chat application such as WhatsApp or Skype. That way, grandparents can easily message their loved ones at any time. Not only that, family members can use the service to share photos and videos that might cheer their elderly relatives up. Perhaps the best feature is the video call function, though, as users can actually see relatives when they talk to them. Communication has certainly come on leaps and bounds since our elderly folk were young. Back in the mid-1900s few houses had their own phones, and neighbors would often share a phone line. Now, it has never been easier to get in touch with anyone instantly.
Emergencies
Using technology to assist with emergencies could actually save lives. Over 1,000 elderly people die every year from falling down the stairs and failing to get help in time. In the past, after accidents like these, people may have struggled to reach a phone to call for help. But handy smartphones can be carried around all the time. Companies like Age UK also provide a “personal emergency response system” so that users can press a button to call for help if something happens.
In addition to that, families can install CCTV cameras to keep tabs on their elderly relatives if they feel worried about them. The American company Grandcare is one of the most comprehensive systems on the market. It allows you to track blood pressure, weight, and the movements of your loved ones as they go about their daily routine.
With all the great things that can be done with technology now, it’s so important for families to take advantage of it and support their elderly relatives in their twilight years. Tablets or smartphones are near to essential, because of the amount of things that can be done with one device. Virtual reality may also prove useful, as it is expected that people will be able to enter virtual chat rooms. This would be ideal for combatting loneliness.
