Helping Seniors with Technology: 3 Easy Tips

According to Pew Research, more older Americans use tech now than ever before. But as technology evolves faster and faster, it can be hard to stay on top of products. The adoption process can be even more stressful for seniors who didn’t grow up with tech constantly surrounding them.

At Avanlee Care, our passion is simplifying caregiving for you and your loved ones and helping you stay connected virtually. We’ve gathered three of our favorite tech tips to help simplify using tech with the seniors in your life.

Research Senior Friendly Tech Options

When choosing tech options for seniors, find a tablet or phone with accessibility options (such as text resize) and longer battery life. Senior Living has a great article listing their favorite cell phones for seniors.

Another great option for going from a flip phone to a smartphone is to start with a tablet (such as a Galaxy or iPad). This helps your loved one get accustomed to a smart device and then you can move them to a new phone.

You can also visit a store and play around with different devices to see which option your loved one likes best. With so many new devices coming out, there’s no shortage of options for you and your senior to choose from!

Focus on Technology Your Senior Wants to Learn

Once you’ve helped your loved one select their new device, spend time with them getting comfortable with the new technology. Make sure you ask what they’re curious about learning, rather than teaching them what you think they should learn.

TechBoomers has free, self-paced tech educational resources—like iPhone tips and Android courses—that you and your loved one can go through together. An added bonus – learning something new on a phone or tablet together can provide great quality time for you and your senior!

Download Apps Made for Seniors

Finding some fun apps for your loved one’s device is another way to get them comfortable with the new technology. This list of entertainment apps for older people has some fun, easy-to-use apps to get your senior interacting with their new device.

Avanlee is a great app for seniors getting started on iOS or Android devices. You can stay up to date with health biometrics like heart rate and step count and use the private family social feed to share photos, videos, and voice memos.

Avanlee is designed with seniors in mind and is an easy way to get older adults more familiar with technology.

Getting a senior unfamiliar with technology started with a new device can be a daunting task for everyone involved. Be patient, keep it light and fun, enjoy the quality time, and you’ll be up and running in no time.

Using tech with seniors can be a great way to stay connected, and Avanlee can be a resource for your family as well! Get started with the app for free today to better manage your loved ones’ caregiving from your smartphone.