By Janice Ancrum, NCCOA President & CEO
True or False. Most seniors don’t feel comfortable with technology.
False. This is a generalization that aims to equate so-called anti-change elderly folks with today’s ever-changing technology…smart phones, apps, virtual chats, The Cloud…it’s never ending. At our Senior Life Centers in Fernandina Beach and Hilliard, a day doesn’t go by where we don’t hear, “Will seniors be able to open this [email],” “Do seniors know how to access this [text message]” and “How will seniors be able to find this [website]?” Most always, the answers are Yes, Yes and They’ll use their smart phone or tablet, search for it and find it.
By 2040, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 80 million U.S. citizens—almost a quarter of the population—will be age 65 or older. Nassau County’s senior population grows each year. As new technologies continue to enter our lives at a breakneck pace, what does that mean for our seniors?
While useful, technology can be intimidating. However, seniors are able to adjust to the ever-evolving tech landscape as well as any other age group. According to AARP and Pew Research Center, seniors have a pretty good handle on technology. Some stats:
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- 51% of seniors report purchasing a tech product within the past year, with smartphones being the top purchase (23%), followed by computers/laptops, smart home devices, smart TVs, tablets and wearable devices.
- 81% of seniors aged 60 to 69 and 62% of those aged 70 and older use smartphones; of the seniors who have smartphones, 55% use them to access social media. Of the seniors who own smartphones, 76% say they use the Internet multiple times a day.
- 56% of seniors send text messages to loved ones daily.
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“Aging in place” is an attractive option for many older adults, and part of the NCCOA mission. Thanks to advances in technology, it’s a safe and realistic option for the majority of Americans enjoying their golden years. Smart technology, assistive devices, mobile apps and medical alert systems can work together to keep you safe and independent in your home, even as your health needs change. Bridging the gap of understanding and deploying this technology is critical. (By the way, the Fernandina Beach and Hilliard Senior Life Center provides resources on all of the above.)
There are so many types of technology that it’s difficult to say which are the best fit for seniors. Tablets are very user friendly, have larger screens and fit nicely in your hands or lap. Smart phones create easy access to an infinite number of opportunities. Cloud-based services, such as Alexa, tell you the weather and play your favorite music. When seniors – or anyone for that matter – have a need, they’ll figure out the best way to scratch the itch.
The bottom line: Some folks, regardless of age, embrace new technology, and others, also regardless of age, tend to be mystified by it. NCCOA can help you take the mystery out of it. Contact us at 904-261-0701, and we’ll give you a hand.
We’re all in this together.
Sources: AARP, American Psychological Association, Pew Research Center, seniorliving.org