We live in truly exciting technological times. Digitization has easily enveloped us and most people enjoy its benefits. However, the older segment of the population has other needs and is struggling to adapt to this technology. Therefore, it is more important than ever to ensure the Digital Transformation for seniors.
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Although it may seem somewhat utopian, it is actually very simple to offer technology to this sector. Nowadays we find a wide variety of adapted devices and tools that can awaken the love for digitalization even in the elderly. Let's take a look at some of these alternatives.
Fostering Digital Transformation for Seniors
Before talking about specific measures, we must normalizing smartphone use in older adults. To achieve this, it is necessary to keep the screen as clear as possible of unnecessary stimuli and apps. In addition, it is recommended to set a simple and neutral wallpaper so that they can easily see the elements they are looking for.
Another requirement for bringing digitization closer to the elderly is to encourage their interest for it. It is necessary to maintain a pedagogical attitude and show them the utilities and potential benefits that this technology presents. There are dedicated applications for all types of sectors, so you just need to think about this person's interests and explain how you can get recipes, watch videos or take pictures through your phone, for example.
Above all, the most important thing is not to saturate these people with information. It is best to present them with only those tools that will be useful to them.
Mobile applications for grandparent geeks
There are a number of applications that are ideal for the elderly. They will help them to use the smartphone efficiently and boost their autonomy with these devices. In addition, they can help them to socialize in case they feel lonely or isolated and, in some cases, they can even be useful to keep their mind active.
- Wiser. It is an app that allows you to create a fully customizable mobile interface. It allows to increase the size of the characters to facilitate its visualization. In addition, it helps to arrange the elements on the screen in an optimal and simple way.
- Neuronation. It is a brain training application designed by neuroscientists. Through 23 different types of exercises, the user will be able to improve concentration and enhance memory while having fun.
- Letris. There is also room for games! With Letris you have to create words in the shortest time possible with the jumbled letters you find on the screen.
- Radios. Most seniors love to listen to the radio. Therefore, this application offers this function and facilitates access to stations in Spain in this case.
- Magnifying glass. This app uses the mobile camera as a magnifying glass to magnify everything it focuses on. Thus, if the user has vision problems, he/she can read books, magazines or newspapers without any problems.
Monitoring and support tools
We have talked about apps to entertain us, but there are also solutions that take care of maintaining the integrity of the elderly. In addition, we found weareables that monitor the user's health status.
For example, V-Sos Band is a smart bracelet that allows you to call for help at the touch of a button for three seconds. This is especially useful for elderly people who live alone, as they can alert up to four contacts at any time in case of need. In addition, the bracelet emits a GPS signal so that family members can know where you are at all times and features sensors to alert in case the person accidentally falls to the ground.
Speaking of sensors, some of them are specially designed to be placed in the home for detect abnormal behavior. This can be done through pre-established routines, so that warnings are issued if the behavior is out of the norm. Continuing with motion sensors, those that automatically turn on lights are also useful.
We continue with the weareables, and we can also use bracelets that store the data in the user's medical data. Thus, if he has to be hospitalized, the procedures are expedited. As we can see, IoT devices of this type are a way of boosting interest in Digital Transformation for seniors. These specialized applications in the medical sector are already popular and make up the so-called Internet of Medical Things.
Applications to take care of our elders
Digital Transformation for seniors is closely related to monitoring and support apps:
- Life 360. This application allows tracking the user through his smartphone at any time. It is especially useful in cases of people with some kind of dementia or mental impairment. Obviously, we need the user's permission to use it.
- Mediasafe. Mediasafe can be used to set alarms for medication consumption. In addition, if the user does not establish that he/she has taken his/her medication, it is possible to activate alerts for the rest of the family members, who will remind him/her.
- Oscar Senior. It is an interface for mobile devices that connects the family with the user. All members can share images, videos and it is possible to modify their settings remotely so that the elderly person does not have to take care of it.
It is clear that Digital Transformation for seniors can improve their lives. However, the difficulty here lies in helping them adapt to the technology. Didactic attitudes and patience are fundamental ingredients to achieve this. Give them to understand everything they have been missing so far!